Things are getting a little crowded at the top of Serie A, and the congestion shows no sign of letting up as the three leading teams all won. Milan, Inter and Juventus all picked up three points as the pace picks up in the title race.
Among the rest of the weekend’s Serie A 2021 results there was an eye-catching clash in Atalanta where Lazio grabbed a big win to continue their fine run of form, while bottom club Crotone suffered a heavy home defeat.
Winners: AC Milan
With 18 rounds to go Stefano Pioli’s Milan are still at the summit of the league, though the latest Serie A 2021 betting odds slightly favour Inter Milan and Juventus. But it’s a wide-open title race and we’ll be all over the action and news as the story unfolds here at SBOTOP.
A 2-1 victory over Bologna looked to be fairly routine after Ante Rebic and Franck Kessie had put the Rossoneri two goals to the good, and while Bologna skipper Andrea scored a late consolation to make it a nervy last ten minutes, Milan saw the game out. It was a deserved victory as the league leaders dominated possession and fired 10 shots on target to give Bologna keeper Lukasz Skorupski a busy afternoon.
Pioli has strengthened his squad this week with the signing of Chelsea’s young defender Fikayo Tomori. The 23-year-old says he didn’t have to think twice after receiving a phone call from Rossoneri legend Paulo Maldini. The loan move may become permanent in the summer.
Winner: Romelu Lukaku – Inter Milan
I Nerrazzuri’s Belgian striker bagged two goals in Inter’s 4-0 win over Benevento, a resounding win which confirmed their status as favourites to win the title.
14 goals from 19 games put him right in the hunt for the Capocannoniere. He’s in second place and just one goal behind Juve’s Cristiano Ronaldo who had a frustrating afternoon away to Sampdoria.
Winner: Aaron Ramsay – Juventus
As Juventus kept up the pressure on the two Milan clubs there was a milestone for one of I Bianconeri’s stars as Aaron Ramsay scored on his 300th top-flight appearance. The former Arsenal midfielder has struggled with a muscle injury this season, so when he came on as a late substitute and rounded off a fast breakaway in injury time, it was a sweet moment for the Welshman.
While Capocannoniere pace setter Ronaldo couldn’t add to his tally, missing a host of first-half chances, Federico Chiesa continued his improvement, converting his sixth goal of the season to set the Old Lady on her way.
Losers: Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini cut a frustrated figure after his side let this opportunity pass.
Atalanta and Lazio both came into the game on a hot streak of form and each had a chance to close the gap on the leaders and stake a claim to a Champions League place. But it was visitors Lazio who took the initiative as Adam Marusic and Joaquin Correa gave them a two-goal lead. Mario Pasalic gave the hosts brief hope but a late strike by Vedat Muriqi sealed the win.
The normally reliable strikers Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel couldn’t swing the game Atalanta’s way as the hosts dominated possession but lost the shot count by eight to 14 and three to seven on target. It was a bad day at the office on a day when hopes were so high.
Lazio are up to fifth and just two points behind fourth-placed Juventus.
Loser: Riccardo Improta – Benevento
Newly promoted Benevento had already been on the end of one spanking at the hands of Inter, losing 5-2 in October, so doubtless head coach Filippo Inzaghi will have stressed the importance of keeping it tight at the back. Inter midfielder Christian Eriksen made a rare start for Inter and he had the Benevento defence in all kinds of problems, particularly the hapless Improta who slid the ball into his own net with just seven minutes on the clock.
Losers
A home game against Genoa gave bottom club Crotone a chance for three vital points, but in a frustrating performance, they were dead and buried five minutes into the second half when Genoa forwards Mattia Destro scored his second and the visitors third.
Crotone huffed and puffed, dominating possession and the shots on goal but they lacked a cutting edge, and they could pay for that unless they sharpen up.
All is not lost, they are just three points from safety but Giovanni Stroppa’s side needs to improve.
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