Juventus reopen six-point lead over Napoli after beating AC Milan 0-2
Juventus reopened their six-point lead over second placed Napoli yesterday evening as they beat AC Milan 2-0 at the Stadio Meazza in Milan.
Goals by Mandzukic in the first half and Ronaldo in the second gave them the precious three points.
Juventus now have 34 points, Napoli 28 and Inter, in third place, have 25 points. Milan remain on 21 points.
The Serie A leaders had a good start when after just eight minutes, Mandzukic beat Donnarumma with a good header to give his side an early lead.
The Croatian striker almost scored again soon after, but this time Milan’s Romagnoli intercepted.
Milan never appeared capable of troubling the Juventus defence, but on 40 minutes, they were awarded a penalty after a VAR viewing. Benatia was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Higuain stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Szczesny managed to fingertip the ball on to the upright. It was not the first time that Higuain had missed a penalty in a big match.
Juventus struck again through Ronaldo who made the most of a Laxalt lapse to beat Donnarumma.
Before the end, former Juve striker Higuain received a second yellow card and was dismissed, leaving his side to finish the matach in 10 men.
Inter outclassed by Atalanta
Inter Milan was thoroughly outclassed in a 4-1 loss at regional rival Atalanta yesterday for its first Serie A defeat in nearly two months.
The loss left Inter third three points behind Napoli, which beat Genoa 21 on Saturday.
Hans Hateboer gave Atalanta an early advantage with a tap-in and the hosts wasted numerous other chances – including an attempt off the post – to add to the lead before the break, as Inter appeared worn out following a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League.
Mauro Icardi equalised with a penalty two minutes into the second half following an Atalanta hand ball but Gianluca Mancini restored Atalanta’s lead after the hour mark with a header from a Josip Ilicic free kick.
Berat Djimsiti scored with a header on another set piece from Ilicic and Inter was then reduced to 10 men when Marcelo Brozovic picked up his second yellow card.
Papu Gomez completed the scoring with a long, curling shot that left Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic motionless.
Inter had won six straight and hadn’t lost since falling 1-0 at home to Parma on Sept. 15.
No-look goal
Stephan El Shaarawy scored a brace, including a no-look chip shot into the far corner in Roma’s 4-1 win over Sampdoria.
The victory ended a three-match winless streak in Serie A for Roma.
Juan Jesus had given Roma an early lead then Patrik Schick doubled the advantage against his former club.
Gregoire Defrel pulled one back for Sampdoria before El Shaarawy converted a rebound to restore the three-goal advantage.
Other results
Last-place Chievo Verona drew 22 with Bologna to earn its first point since former Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura was hired a month ago.
Empoli, which was playing its first match under new manager Giuseppe Iachini, beat struggling Udinese 2-1.
In its last seven matches, Udinese has lost six and drawn one, putting the job of coach Julio Velazquez at risk.