Juventus Is In, Milan Is Out. Roma Could Mount a Stunning Comeback—But They Must Start Winning on the Road.
In Serie A, victories in head-to-head clashes are worth double—literally. Securing three points while simultaneously preventing your direct rival from earning any is effectively a six-point swing. This was the case for both Juventus and Napoli, who triumphed over Milan and Atalanta, respectively.
Juventus entered their showdown at the Allianz Stadium with 34 points, three ahead of Milan’s 31. A Rossoneri win would have seen them draw level in the standings, but Thiago Motta’s men emerged victorious, extending their lead to six points. A classic six-point game.
Similarly, Atalanta’s title aspirations had already been dented by three consecutive draws leading up to their clash with Napoli. The Bergamaschi came into the match with 43 points to Napoli’s 47. A win for Gasperini’s men would have cut the gap to just one point, but instead, Romelu Lukaku’s 78th-minute goal handed Napoli a crucial win, pushing them seven points clear of Atalanta. Another six-point swing.
For Napoli, this victory sent a strong message to the rest of the league: despite the turbulent departure of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Antonio Conte’s squad is still here and ready to break away from the pack.
Inter also delivered a statement of intent, dominating and defeating Empoli, the “giant killers” of Serie A. This result keeps the Nerazzurri hot on Napoli’s heels, and with a game in hand, they could soon challenge the Partenopei for the top spot. The title race, once a three-horse competition, may have narrowed to two.
Lazio Steady in Fourth, Fiorentina Falters, Bologna Rises
In the battle for European spots, Lazio rebounded with a convincing away win over Verona, maintaining their hold on fourth place and the final Champions League berth. Meanwhile, Fiorentina’s stock continues to plummet. Even with a numerical advantage and a lead, they failed to beat Torino. On the other hand, Bologna is thriving under Vincenzo Italiano, finding a new identity post-Thiago Motta.
Milan remains an enigma. It’s hard to determine whether Sérgio Conceição’s side is the dominant force we saw in Riyadh or the vulnerable team that crumbled in Turin. Their inconsistency and overreliance on the fragile brilliance of Christian Pulisic make them a gamble for sustained success.
Roma’s Hopes Hinge on Paulo Dybala—and Winning Away
There’s little doubt that Roma’s fortunes are tied to Paulo Dybala’s creative genius. From José Mourinho to Claudio Ranieri, every Roma coach over the past three years has echoed the same sentiment: there’s a Roma with Dybala and a Roma without him.
Dybala has been central to Roma’s recent resurgence, which includes three wins and two draws in their last five matches. Ranieri’s team appears to have found its rhythm, and the schedule until April offers a glimmer of hope. Roma’s next major challenge is a home clash against Juventus on April 6. Until then, they have nine league games to climb into Champions League contention.
The final eight matchdays, from Rounds 31 to 38, will be grueling. But if Roma can build momentum with a string of wins and a favorable position in the table, they could find themselves in an electrifying sprint to the finish.
That said, Roma’s road form remains a glaring issue. Their last away victory dates back nine months—to April 25, 2024, when they defeated Udinese in Udine. Coincidentally, they’ll face Udinese in Udine this Sunday, January 26. A poetic opportunity to end their drought and reignite their
