Primavera Round-Up 2012/13: Week 21

Juventus’ lead at the top of Group A of the Primavera standings has been cut to just one point following a Derby della Mole draw.

Stefano Padovan’s second half equaliser cancelled out Lorenzo Coccolo’s early strike for the Granata but that result leaves Toro just four points off the top while Fiorentina moved to close the gap to one.

They did so with a 2-1 victory in a Tuscan derby over Empoli, Federico Bernardeschi getting the goal that proved to be the winner.

Elsewhere, Parma thrashed Grosseto 5-0 with Luca Rovelli influential once again, scoring once and Filippo Lauricella hit a double on a successful day for the Ducali.

Sampdoria were victorious on the road in a less one-sided five goal thriller as Andelko Savic scored a second half hat-trick against Spezia with his third decisive strike coming three minutes into additional time.

Antonio Loi also pounced late for Cagliari to help them to a 1-0 victory against Novara in Sardinia while Genoa and Siena played out a goalless stalemate in the final game from the group.

Atalanta continue to look a more than safe bet to take the Group B title after they left Udine with three points and a 4-1 win to bring back to Bergamo.

In second place, Inter remain six points behind following a 1-0 win away to Brescia, secured through an Ibrahima Mbaye goal midway through the second half.

AC Milan got back to winning ways following their shock heavy defeat last week by beating Modena 4-0, Andrea Petagna getting on the score sheet twice to add to Simone Ganz and Alex Pedone goals.

Guido Gomez’ hot streak for Sassuolo continued as he kept himself on course for the Capocannoniere crown with his 16th of the season helping his team to a 3-1 win against Cesena.

A lone Riccardo Benatti goal was enough for Bologna to take all the points against Padova while a last minute Andre Bassi Borzani penalty helped Varese to a 2-1 win over Chievo.

Their rivals are undergoing something of a resurgence recently too with Hellas again winning, this time dispatching of Cittadella 2-0 through two second half goals.

Following another epic week of action in Group C, amazingly just one point separates the top four teams in the table as the title race continues to throw up surprises.

At the summit are Lazio, on goal difference from the two Sicilian side while Napoli are a point behind and Roma just three points behind them.

The Aquile bested Crotone 3-2 away from home with the in-form Cristiano Lombardi getting the goal that keeps them sitting comfortably on top.

Palermo put in a very professional performance to emerge from their clash with Ternana with all three points in tow but did so thanks to a Mauro Bellino-inspired display.

Fellow islanders Catania missed a glorious chance to go clear at the top by slipping up away with a 2-2 draw at Pescara, Maks Barisic scoring twice for the Elefanti with the equaliser coming in the closing minutes.

Just a point behind them sit the Partenopei who had a Gennaro Tutino double to thank for setting them on their way to a 4-1 win over Vicenza.

Roma remain in touch with things thanks to a vital 2-0 win against Juve Stabia, Federico Ricci and Michele Somma with the goals for the Giallorossi.

Virtus Lanciano drew 2-2 against Reggina and in the final game of the group this weekend, Daniele Gragnoli scored the only goal of Ascoli’s 1-0 win over Bari.