The drama continued in Italy with a collection of entertaining clashes. Juventus failed to make their presence felt against Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma, whilst AC Milan registered a commanding win over Bologna. Meanwhile, Torino picked up three points despite a late scare, and Spezia played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Sassuolo at the Alberto Picco.
One of the most high-profile games of this weekend was played in Turin between Juventus and Roma. Much was expected from the hosts, to finally make their presence felt in the Italian league, but they still are missing out the X-factor required to bring them back on top. All they could manage against Mourinho’s men was a point, which left the home crowd disappointed.
The day did not start as disappointingly for the hosts as it ended. Dusan Vlahovic’s breathtaking free-kick rippled the inside of the post and went in to put them ahead in just 2 minutes. Juve did score a splendid second goal when Juan Cuadrado and Manuel Locatelli combined brilliantly, but a handball in the buildup by Vlahovic got the goal cancelled.
In the second half, Juve’s former heartthrob Paulo Dybala broke their hearts in his new colours, by assisting Tammy Abraham to equalize. Despite many decent efforts, the Old Lady failed to find a way through as the game finished 1-1.
Defending champions AC Milan are on top of the table courtesy of a clinical 2-0 win against Bologna. Rafael Leao got the opening goal at the San Siro in the 21st minute, and the hosts held on to that lead going into the break.
Olivier Giroud made it 2-0 around the hour mark as Leao was once again heavily involved. Milan toppled Lazio to go ahead in the table on goal difference.
Torino seemed to be cruising in their fixture against Cremonese until a late scare in the 80th minute. Nikola Vlasic’s first-half strike and Nemanja Radonjic’s second-half goal put them 2-0 ahead away from home.
Leonardo Sernicola curled home a delighted goal to give the hosts a glimmer of hope, but they couldn’t equalize in the remaining minutes as Torino picked up a win.
Spezia came from 1-0 down to go 2-1 up in their clash against Sassuolo. In an action-packed first half, we saw three goals thumped in, and both sides threw more caution into the mix in the second 45. Andre Pinamonti equalised for Sassuolo, and both sides held on to a draw in an open-ended high-scoring fixture in Spezia.
