Outside90’s Joshua Scarcella breaks down the biggest talking points to come out of matchday 18 of the Serie A.
Unruly fans cap off terrific derby
It was the first chance fans had to experience the Genoa derby this season, and boy did they take it with both hands. Windy conditions at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris helped an abundance of fireworks and flares to cloud the stadium and delay the beginning.
Once proceedings got under way, it was everything you could have asked for in a derby. Sampdoria taking a 3-0 lead early in the second half, only to be pegged back by an inspired Genoa who just left their effort a little too late.
Bruno Fernandes steers impressive Udinese to victory
It has been a while since the Bianconeri put in a dominating display, who usually settle for giving away possession and playing counter-attacking football. Their performance against Atlanta was much the opposite.
Opting to control the match from the beginning proved fruitful as they took a 2-0 lead into half-time and eventually won 2-1 with Bruno Fernandes staring.
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New year, same old Roma
It seems that a two-week break for the Serie A has failed to snap Roma’s poor form at the back end of 2015, which has Rudi Garcia’s managerial career hanging by a thread.
The Giallorossi took a 2-0 lead into the break, only for Chievo to find the equaliser not once, but twice, as Simone Pepe came back to haunt his former side with a free-kick in the 85th minute that required goal-line technology.
Eight in a row for Juventus
The winning streak continues for the reigning Scudetto champions as they made it eight in a row against a struggling Verona at the Juventus Stadium.
In what was a fairly comfortable performance, the Bianconeri kept the traveling side out of the match with an early free-kick from in-form Paolo Dybala. That fine effort was then followed up by a commanding header from Leonardo Bonucci on the stroke of half-time.
Results unkind at the blue end of Rome
Like their Roman counterparts, Lazio made an underwhelming start to 2016 with a 0-0 draw against Carpi, who occupy second from bottom.
Despite the Biancocelesti enjoying the majority of possession, they could not manage a shot on target as the away side carved out the best chances and were unlucky not to take all three points away from the Stadio Olimpico.
Bologna steal the show in Milan
Bologna are proving to be this season’s giant killers as they took down Milan at the San Siro. It was only three matchdays ago that they also claimed a shock win against Napoli.
This occasion was a more even match up as the home side again displayed their inconsistency which continues to blight them.
Fiorentina cruise
Much like Juventus, the Viola began their match against Palermo in Sicily in demanding fashion, having the match all but decided at half-time.
Josip Ililic and Nikola Kalinic continued their fantastic form into the new year, proving to be a valuable partnership for Fiorentina in recent weeks. Evergreen striker Alberto Gilardino did his best to get Palermo back into the contest, but Jakub Blaszcykowski put the result beyond doubt in added time.
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Arlind Ajeti scores at both ends
Ajeti’s debut was one to remember as he managed to be both the hero and villain during Frosinone’s clash with Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium. The 22-year-old scored an own goal, but then redeemed himself on the stroke of half-time with an equalising goal.
The Albanian has been without a club since his departure from FC Basel at the end of the 2014/15 and after signing in November of 2015 for Sassuolo, made his debut at the weekend.
Another 1-0 result for Inter Milan
Inter Milan’s latest result against Empoli is now the ninth time this season that the Nerazzuri have won a match 1-0 during the 2015/16 Serie A campaign. It is a record that shows just how defensively sound Roberto Mancini’s men are, but also having the ability to grind out important results when needed.
It is the seventh time in nine matches that Inter have kept a clean sheet, a vital statistic for any team hoping to achieve scudetto success.
Lorenzo Insigne gives Napoli a late Christmas present
It seems Insigne recharged the batteries over the Christmas break as his performance against Torino replicated his early season form which saw him called up for national duty.
The 24-year-old finished a lovely display of one-touch play by lobbing Danielle Padelli, then he assisted his captain to help achieve an important three points for Napoli.
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