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Serie A Matchday 10 Round-up – Contenders win amid Juve’s woes

By James Cormack

NAPLES, ITALY - OCTOBER 28: Fabian Ruiz of SSC Napoli celebrates with team mates after scores his Opening Goal ,during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 28, 2021 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images )
NAPLES, ITALY - OCTOBER 28: Fabian Ruiz of SSC Napoli celebrates with team mates after scores his Opening Goal ,during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 28, 2021 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images ) /
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We’re already ten matchdays down in Serie A and remarkably, the mighty Juventus have amassed a meagre 15 points.

The Bianconeri’s defeat to Sassuolo in the week was their first since Matchday 3 when they succumbed to league leaders Napoli. However, the loss was one that you sensed was coming after they’d edged their way to slender victories during the unbeaten run.

Following Wednesday’s defeat, Juventus slid to seventh in Serie A and already, a 13 point gap has opened up between the Old Lady and the current league leaders.

Here’s how the rest of the contenders fared during the midweek round of fixtures.

Triumphant contenders

Duvan Zapata was on the scoresheet in Atalanta’s midweek victory. (Photo by Getty Images)
Duvan Zapata was on the scoresheet in Atalanta’s midweek victory. (Photo by Getty Images) /

Following their gritty away victory at Bologna last weekend, AC Milan were made to work hard for another three points by Ivan Juric’s Torino. The Rossoneri took an early lead through Olivier Giroud but struggled afterwards to penetrate the visitors’ backline as Juric’s men grew into the contest.

Stefano Pioli’s unbeaten side, however, held onto their narrow 1-0 advantage to once again reach the summit.

As Juventus fell to defeat against Sassuolo, Atalanta won on the road against Sampdoria. The hosts took an early lead through Francesco Caputo before a Kristoffer Askildsen own goal and strike from Duvan Zapata turned the contest on its head midway through the first half. Sampdoria huffed and puffed but failed to create anything of any substance as Josip Ilicic continued his upsurge in form with a late third.

Later on Wednesday, Inter Milan got back on track with a comfortable 2-0 win over ten-man Empoli, Lazio won again at home, edging Fiorentina 1-0 at the Olimpico and Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari. Lorenzo Pellegrini’s match-winning free-kick was quite brilliant.

Rampant Napoli

After they were held for the first time this season in the Derby del Sole, Napoli returned to their rampant best against Bologna on Thursday night.

Fabian Ruiz, who’s enjoyed a superb start to the season in a deeper-lying midfield role, opened the scoring with a fierce strike from outside the area before a pair of Lorenzo Insigne penalties eased the Neapolitans to a 3-0 win.

Victor Osimhen was once again wreaking havoc as he won the penalty for Napoli’s second and Insigne’s first.

Salernitana win again!

Salernitana dramatically secured their second win of the season against fellow new boys Venezia on Tuesday night. Aided by a woeful refereeing decision to send Venezia defender Ethan Ampadu off midway through the second half, the visitors snatched a 95th-minute winner through Andrea Schiavone.

The 2-1 victory lifted Salernitana off the foot of the table, and it’s now Cagliari who bring up the rear.

Elsewhere, Hellas Verona earned a hard-fought point on the road in Udine as Antonin Barak cancelled out Isaac Success’ early opener.

Genoa also grabbed a late point thanks to a penalty. Skipper Domenico Criscito converted from 12 yards to equalise for the Rossoblù after a Salvatore Sirigu own goal had given Spezia the lead.

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