Fiorentina enjoyed a fantastic week as they remained top of group A in the Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti standings following a 5-0 thrashing of Grosseto on Saturday afternoon.
The result also kept the Viola top of the table albeit they are level on 16 points with Genoa who would have risen to the summit but could only manage an exciting 2-2 draw with Juventus.
The Bianconeri did trail 2-0 with five minutes remaining before super-sub Stefano Padovan came off the bench to hit a late brace and rescue a share of the points.
Empoli also kept in touch with the teams at the top and remain a point off them in third following their 2-1 win away to Parma thanks to Diego Frugoli’s strike nine minutes from time.
Torino sit a point behind them having only managed a 1-1 draw with Siena which allowed Novara to draw level on points with the Granata following their 2-1 victory against Sampdoria.
Hovering dangerously above the bottom of the table are Livorno who sank to another defeat, this time against a spirited Spezia side who took all three points thanks to a Brondi goal.
Substitute Riccardo Armato’s strike was enough to give Pro Vercelli the win against Cagliari who dorp to 10th as a result.
In Group B, Hellas Verona remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a 1-1 draw with Inter who remain in second place, two points behind leaders Atalanta as a result.
The famed La Dea youth system picked up an important 2-0 win away to Sassuolo thanks to goals from Joakim Olausson and Doudou Mangni.
Chievo move up to third spot following a 2-0 win over Brescia while Bologna’s 2-1 win over Cittadella thanks to a Luca Veratti winner keeps them in touch with the Flying Donkeys.
AC Milan are struggling to replicate their fine form from last season and sit six points off the top of the table despite beating Padova by two goals to nil.
Elsewhere, Udinese picked up a much needed win as they bested Cesena 1-0, with Piotr Zielinski getting on the scoresheet.
Group C remains extremely competitive as all three of the top teams picked up convincing wins to keep the chasing pack at bay.
Table toppers Napoli picked up the points with goals from an own goal and a fine finish from Roberto Insigne who is, of course, brother of Lorenzo and being scouted by Inter.
Lazio lie one point behind the Partenopei after they picked up a comfortable 3-0 win away to Virtus Lanciano but not to be outdone, city neighbours Roma went one better.
The Giallorossi moved one point behind the Aquile with a 4-0 win and look as dangerous as ever following their Supercoppa success earlier in the campaign.
Fabrizio Carboni, Claudiu Bumba, Michele Somma and Manel Minicucci all got the goals for Alberto De Rossi’s side.
Ascoli made their way up the table with a 2-1 win at home to Reggina while Ternana came up short in their trip to Pescara, being beaten 1-0.
Palermo and Juve Stabia played out a 0-0 draw while the meeting between Crotone and Vicenza was postponed and will be played some time in the next three weeks.
