Football

Juventus emerged victorious in the Turin derby, defeating city rivals Torino 2-0 to climb within a point of Serie A's summit. Timothy Weah and Kenan Yildiz scored in each half to secure the win for the Old Lady, who now sit third in the standings with 24 points.Juventus coach Thiago Motta praised his team's performance, saying, "It was another good performance where we brought the three points home. I am happy both with the result and the performance, in a derby on home turf, and thank our fans for their support."Torino's form has plummeted in recent weeks, with only one win in their last seven league outings. They now languish in 11th place, 10 points behind their city rivals.The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when Weah tapped into an open net after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic failed to hold onto Andrea Cambiaso's effort. Both sides struggled to create chances in a match that lacked excitement.Yildiz sealed the victory for Juventus six minutes from time with a stooping back-post header.Meanwhile, AC Milan dropped points in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Cagliari, falling further behind in the title race. Rafael Leao scored twice in the first half to give Milan the lead, but Cagliari fought back through Gabriele Zappa and Tammy Abraham. Zappa scored a sensational equalizer in the final stages to deny Milan the win.Milan coach Paulo Fonseca expressed disappointment, saying, "This draw is clearly a step backwards. Our problem today was our defense, we lacked aggression, we let them cross too much, we lost too many aerial duels, it's not possible to win a match in those conditions."For Cagliari, the draw lifted them to 16th place, one point clear of the drop zone.In other Serie A action, Parma came from behind to beat bottom-of-the-table Venezia 2-1 away from home. Hans Nicolussi Caviglia opened the scoring for Venezia, but goals from Emanuele Valeri and Ange-Yoan Bonny secured the win for Parma, who moved up to 14th place.The highlight of Sunday's action will be the clash between 2023 Scudetto winners Napoli and reigning champions Inter Milan.

Inter Milan face a crucial week in their pursuit of European and domestic glory, with the visits of Arsenal and Napoli looming large. The Italian champions have shown signs of vulnerability despite their unbeaten run, and Simone Inzaghi's team will need to rediscover their form to maintain their title aspirations.Inter are level on points with Arsenal in the Champions League and sit comfortably in the top eight, but their performances have been inconsistent. They have conceded 13 goals in 11 Serie A fixtures, a significant increase from last season's impressive defensive record. Their attack has also struggled to close out matches, with a two-goal lead against Juventus being squandered in a 4-4 draw.Inzaghi has identified the need for greater clinical finishing, as Inter have missed numerous chances that could have made their matches easier. Lautaro Martinez, the match-winner against Venezia, is expected to start alongside Marcus Thuram in the Champions League. Thuram has been a key player for Inter, but he and Martinez have often had to come off the bench to rescue the team.Inter have received a boost with the return of Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi, who will be available after injury layoffs. However, wing-back Carlos Augusto remains out, with Federico Dimarco in excellent form in his absence. Dimarco's creativity will be crucial against Arsenal and Napoli.Inter's defense will face a stern test against Arsenal's attacking trio of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli. Napoli, meanwhile, boast one of the most potent attacks in Europe, led by Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.Inzaghi's team will need to find a way to balance their attacking and defensive responsibilities. They must be clinical in front of goal while also tightening up at the back. If they can do that, they have the quality to overcome both Arsenal and Napoli and keep their European and domestic ambitions alive.

Lazio's relentless pursuit of Serie A's top four continued with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Cagliari on Monday. The match at the Stadio Olimpico witnessed a dramatic turn of events, with Cagliari finishing the game with nine men.Mattia Zaccagni emerged as the hero for Lazio, converting a crucial penalty in the 76th minute. His goal propelled Lazio to fifth place, just a goal difference away from the coveted Champions League positions. The victory marked Lazio's eighth win in nine matches across all competitions, putting them within striking distance of league leaders Napoli.Cagliari's hopes of an upset were initially boosted by Zito Luvumbo's equalizer just before halftime, canceling out Boulaye Dia's early opener for Lazio. However, their fortunes took a nosedive after Zaccagni's penalty.Yerry Mina's second yellow card for a seemingly innocuous foul on Valentin Castellanos sparked a chain reaction. Michel Adopo's furious protests earned him a second booking and a red card, leaving Cagliari with only nine players on the field.Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli made his long-awaited Serie A return for Genoa, who secured a vital 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Parma. Andrea Pinamonti's goal with 10 minutes remaining proved decisive, lifting Genoa out of the relegation zone.Balotelli, now 34, made his first Serie A appearance in four years as a late substitute. Despite limited playing time, he managed to pick up a yellow card in stoppage time. Genoa now sits one point above the drop zone, level with Parma, Cagliari, and Como.

Lazio and Roma emerged victorious in their respective Serie A matches on Thursday, with Lazio crushing Como 5-1 and Roma edging out Torino 1-0.Lazio's Argentine striker Valentin Castellanos stole the show with a brace, including a penalty conversion and a clinical finish in the 81st minute. Spaniards Pedro and Patric added to the tally, while French under-21 striker Loum Tchaouna sealed the rout with his first goal for the club.Roma, under fire after a 5-1 defeat to Fiorentina last weekend, found some respite with a narrow win over Torino. Paulo Dybala, playing as a "false nine," broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, rounding the goalkeeper to slot home from a tight angle.Despite being booed by their own fans before the match, Roma's tactics paid off as they held on for the victory. Former Torino boss Ivan Juric, who joined Roma in September, will be relieved to have bought some time with this result.In the day's early match, Fiorentina continued their impressive form with a 1-0 victory at Genoa. German defender Robin Gosens scored against the run of play late in the second half, while former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea pulled off several crucial saves to earn the man of the match award.

Inter Milan maintained their grip on second place in Serie A with a dominant 3-0 victory over 10-man Empoli on Wednesday. The defending champions showcased their resilience and attacking prowess, while Atalanta climbed to third with a 2-0 win over Monza.Inter's triumph was fueled by a brace from Davide Frattesi, who scored in the 50th and 67th minutes. The first goal came from a deflection, while the second was a composed finish that put Simone Inzaghi's side in control. Lautaro Martinez sealed the victory in the 79th minute after a defensive blunder by Empoli.The match took a significant turn in the first half when Empoli's Saba Goglichidze was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Marcus Thuram. Inter capitalized on the numerical advantage, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities.Inter captain Martinez expressed the team's satisfaction with the victory, especially after Napoli's win on Tuesday. "It was important to win after Napoli's victory," he said.Meanwhile, Atalanta continued their impressive form with a 2-0 win over Monza. Lazar Samardzic and Davide Zappacosta scored late goals to secure the victory for the Bergamo-based side. Atalanta now sit third in the standings, one point ahead of Juventus.Juventus, who were unbeaten in Serie A this season, suffered a setback with a 2-2 home draw against Parma. Enrico Del Prato gave Parma an early lead, and although Weston McKennie equalized, a second defensive lapse allowed Simon Sohm to restore Parma's advantage before halftime. Timothy Weah leveled the score for Juventus after the break, but the Bianconeri remain seven points behind leaders Napoli.In other matches, Udinese lost 3-2 to promoted Venezia, while Napoli maintained their four-point lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win over AC Milan on Tuesday.

Napoli extended their dominance at the summit of Serie A with a commanding 2-0 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday. The triumph propelled Napoli to a seven-point lead over their rivals, solidifying their position as the league's frontrunners.Antonio Conte's resurgent Napoli side wasted no time in asserting their authority, with Romelu Lukaku opening the scoring within five minutes. The Belgian striker capitalized on a pass from Frank Anguissa, outmuscling a defender before coolly slotting the ball past Mike Maignan in the AC Milan goal.Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret was called into action twice before the half-hour mark, making crucial saves to preserve his side's advantage. As the clock ticked down to half-time, Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the visitors' lead with a sensational strike.Picking up the ball on the left wing, Kvaratskhelia drove inside on his right foot, evading Youssouf Fofana before unleashing a powerful shot from distance that flew into the far post beyond the reach of Maignan.AC Milan thought they had found a lifeline two minutes after the break when Alvaro Morata headed home. However, VAR intervened, ruling the goal offside in the build-up. The hosts continued to search for a way back into the encounter, but Napoli's defense held firm, with Meret making a fine reflex save to deny Rafael Leao in the 83rd minute.Elsewhere in Serie A, Bologna climbed to 10th in the table with a 2-0 win at Cagliari, thanks to goals from Riccardo Orsolini and Jens Odgaard. Lecce moved off the foot of the table by beating nine-man Verona 1-0, with Patrick Dorgu scoring the only goal of the game.

Mario Balotelli, the former Italy international striker, has found a new home at Genoa, a Serie A club struggling with injuries. Genoa, currently languishing in 18th place, has signed Balotelli until the end of the season to bolster their depleted attacking options.Balotelli, now 34, was once a rising star in Italian football, showcasing his prowess at Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan, and Liverpool. However, his career has been marked by both on-field brilliance and off-field controversies.Despite his past, Genoa has taken a gamble on Balotelli, hoping to reignite his spark and help them escape the relegation zone. The club has been plagued by injuries, with seven players currently sidelined, including forwards Junior Messias, Vitinha, and Caleb Ekuban.Balotelli's arrival brings a wealth of experience to Genoa. He has played a pivotal role in three Serie A titles with Inter Milan and the 2010 Champions League triumph under Jose Mourinho. He also starred for Italy at Euro 2012, helping them reach the final.However, Balotelli has also faced his share of challenges. He has been the target of racist abuse in Italy, and his off-field antics have often overshadowed his on-field achievements.Despite these setbacks, Balotelli remains a talented striker with a proven track record. Genoa will be hoping that he can rediscover his form and help them avoid relegation. He is expected to make his debut against Fiorentina on Thursday.

Napoli maintained their Serie A dominance with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lecce, extending their lead at the summit to five points. Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo proved to be the match-winner, bundling home the only goal after a scramble in the box.Despite their dominance, Napoli struggled to create clear-cut chances against a spirited Lecce side. Romelu Lukaku missed a golden opportunity from close range, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano were kept on the bench.Lecce, who had suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Fiorentina in their previous outing, showed resilience and determination. They matched Napoli's intensity and could have easily earned a point on another day.Meanwhile, Atalanta celebrated coach Gian Piero Gasperini's 400th match in style, thrashing Verona 6-1. Marten de Roon, Charles De Ketelaere, Mateo Retegui, and Ademola Lookman all found the net as Atalanta raced into a 5-0 lead within the first half hour.Retegui, who has scored 10 goals in his first nine league matches for Atalanta, attributed his success to the support of his teammates and fans. "It's down to the faith shown in me by the lads and the fans," he said.Verona coach Paolo Zanetti was left shell-shocked as his team was outplayed and outclassed. Amin Sarr scored a consolation goal for Verona, but it was a mere footnote in Atalanta's dominant display.

Inter Milan maintained their pursuit of Serie A leaders Napoli with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Lautaro Martinez's 60th-minute strike proved decisive, as Inter closed the gap to two points behind Napoli, who also secured a 1-0 win at Empoli.Inter's victory was built on a solid defensive performance, with goalkeeper Andre Onana making several crucial saves. Roma, on the other hand, struggled to create clear-cut chances, despite dominating possession for large periods of the match.The match was played in a strange atmosphere, with Roma's hardcore fans protesting outside the ground for the first 15 minutes. The fans are unhappy with the club's direction under American owner Dan Friedkin and the sacking of club legend Daniele De Rossi.Despite the off-field distractions, Inter showed great determination and resilience to secure the victory. Simone Inzaghi's side will now turn their attention to the Champions League, where they face Young Boys on Wednesday.Napoli continued their impressive start to the season with a 1-0 win at Empoli. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute. Napoli have now won four consecutive matches in all competitions and are looking like serious title contenders.Fiorentina moved up to fifth place with a thumping 6-0 victory over 10-man Lecce. Danilo Cataldi and Andrea Colpani both scored braces, while Lucas Beltran and Fabiano Parisi also got on the scoresheet. Lecce's Antonino Gallo was sent off in the 35th minute for a foul on Dodo.Atalanta eased to a 2-0 win at bottom side Venezia, thanks to goals from Mario Pasalic and Mateo Retegui. Retegui, who has scored eight goals in Serie A this season, is currently the league's leading scorer.