The aforementioned Juventus picked up their second successive “Winter Championship”, and despite the title having no real merit, it is a telling award. In fact, the last side to not to be lifting the Scudetto after coming top at the break was Milan in 2003 nine years ago.
And if the league title was awarded at Christmas few would oppose the Bianconeri securing a consecutive Scudetto, especially after their demolition display against Atalanta. Mirko Vucinic reaffirmed his decision to don the number nine with a brilliant performance, combining excellently on regular occasions with Sebastian Giovinco, who is starting to make a genuine claim for the vacant #10 jersey. The first half rout was capped off with a wonderful Andrea Pirlo free kick, who was at his magical best.
It was just the game the returning Antonio Conte wanted to see, his Juventus side now sit 7 points ahead of Inter in second and it’s difficult seeing the Scudetto draped in any other colour but black and white next May.
Napoli threw away the chance to gain on the leaders after a five goal thriller saw them lose at home against lowly Bologna. Despite dominating the game, securing 60% possession and twice as many shots on target, the Partonpei allowed the Rossublu back in the game to thwart them thanks to a last gasp winner from Daniele Portanova. Consistency is once again what Napoli seem to lack, and now face a mountainous task if they are to sit atop of Serie A.
Milan had a good weekend, beating seemingly doomed Pescara 4-1 thanks to goals from Nocerino, El Shaarawy and two own goals from a Delfini that seemed intent on gifting the Rossoneri the win. The scoreline flattered a Milan side that were dull going forward despite controlling the game. When Pescara pulled one back at 2-1 there was genuine fear that Max Allegri’s side weren’t going to win out, but a quickfire passage of play that saw Milan score twice in two minutes secured the win. Milan now sit in 7th, just two points behind Roma they meet next week. Maybe the season isn’t so irrecoverable after all.
Fiorentina beat Siena 4-1 in a game that cost Serse Cosmi his job in charge of the Tuscan side. Quite why the expensively dressed tactician will be facing Christmas unemployed is not known – the former Palermo boss was doing a decent job with a side facing a 6 point deduction. without which they’d be 14th. For Fiorentina, it is another wonderful performance that has typified their transformation this season, and they can face a New Year full of promise.
Sampdoria also waved goodbye to Ciro Ferrarra after losing to Catania 1-0, who sit in 14th. Considering that they got re-promoted this season, Ciro can consider himself unlucky to have faced the sack; especially when one considers the youth-centred approach he took at Sampdoria that by and large paid off. Delio Rossi takes his place, the former Rosanero boss looking to straighten out the ship.
Other Results:
Roma 0 – 1 Chievo
Genoa 1 -1 Torino
Parma 4 -1 Cagliari
Udinese 1 -1 Palermo