How AC Milan vs. Fiorentina stalemate favors Juventus

Saturday's Serie A results benefited the Bianconeri as rivals chasing a Champions League berth missed out on maximum points.
Fiorentina's Marin Pongracic (left) and AC Milan's Luka Jovic headed home with a single Serie A point each
Fiorentina's Marin Pongracic (left) and AC Milan's Luka Jovic headed home with a single Serie A point each | Image Photo Agency/GettyImages

With a top four Serie A required to earn a place in Europe’s leading club tournament next term, the 2-2 draw inside Stadio Giuseppe Meazza helped Juve’s hopes.

Juve’s Nicolo Fagioli, on loan with Fiorentina since February, thought he had set up a last-gasp winner. But VAR overturned the 89th-minute strike from Brazilian defender Dodo, and the sides settled for a share of the spoils.

The visitors went ahead through Malick Thiaw’s seventh-minute own goal. Former Juve striker Moise Kean continued his rich vein of form by doubling Fiorentina's lead three minutes later.

Tammy Abraham reduced the deficit midway through the opening half, and Luka Jovic levelled matters on 64 minutes. The result lifted Fiorentina above Lazio on goal difference.

Champions League chasing Lazio were held 1-1 by Torino last Monday, booed off by their own fans following a third successive home draw. The Biancocelesti four points below fourth-placed Bologna, and tackle high-flying Atalanta on Sunday.

Parma stun Scudetto hopefuls Inter

The shock of the Serie A weekend was relegation-threatened Parma making it four draws on the bounce, by holding table-topping Inter Milan 2-2.

Inter manager Simone Inzaghi was serving a touchline ban, having been sent off during last weekend’s 2-1 success over Udinese. He could only watch in horror as his side collapsed, having dominated the first-half with goals from Matteo Darmian and Marcus Thuram.

Parma reduced the deficit on the hour-mark through interval substitute Adrian Bernab. Jacob Ondrejka’s spectacular solo run was polished off with an effort that stumped ‘keeper Yann Sommer on 69 minutes.

Capital challenge for Juventus

Juventus interim head coach Igor Tudor will have more room to breathe when he takes his new charges to AS Roma for Sunday’s Serie A showdown. AC Milan are stuttering along in ninth with 48 points, three points and one position behind Fiorentina.

Tudor’s troops sit fifth on 55 points, one place and three points ahead of Claudio Ranieri’s in-form Roma.

For Tudor to pick up another precious three points, having triumphed 1-0 over Genoa in his first of nine league matches, would earn him plaudits. It would assist him if there are negotiations about a potential contract extensive to include taking the reins next term.

Roma have hit a purple patch, comprising seven league wins on the bounce since February’s 1-1 stalemate at home to title-changing Napoli. Another victory would result in Ranieri’s Roma leapfrogging Juventus in the table.

Fifth position at the end of the season will clinch a Europa League berth, while finishing sixth will earn an Italian team a place in the Conference League qualifiers.

SERIE A TABLE (5 April 2025)

1. INTER MILAN | Played 31, Goal difference +39, Points 68

2. NAPOLI | Played 30, Goal difference +23, Points 64

3. ATALANTA | Played 30, Goal difference +34, Points 58

4. BOLOGNA | Played 30, Goal difference +16, Points 56

5. JUVENTUS | Played 30, Goal difference +18, Points 55

6. AS ROMA | Played 30, Goal difference +15, Points 52

7. LAZIO | Played 29, Goal difference +9, Points 51

8. FIORENTINA | Played 31, Goal difference +17, Points 52

9. AC MILAN | Played 31, Goal difference +10, Points 48

IGOR TUDOR’S NINE SERIE A GAMES AT JUVENTUS

29 March (home) | Genoa | 1-0

6 April (away) | AS Roma (currently 6th)

12 April (home) | Lecce (currently 17th)

21 April (away) | Parma (currently 16th)

27 April (home) | Monza (currently 20th)

4 May (away) | Bologna (currently 4th)

11 May (away) | Lazio (currently 7th)

18 May (home) | Udinese (currently 18th)

25 May (away) | Venezia (currently 19th)