After 8 consecutive wins, Napoli lost last weekend for the second time this season. It was Lazio who struck at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, 1-0, a victory that keeps them in 3rd place. Despite the defeat, Napoli hold a considerable lead at the top of the Serie A standings, 15 points ahead of second-placed Inter.
Napoli play this round also at home to Atalanta, 6th place, one point in the last three rounds. Gian Piero Gasperini’s team has not given up on the UEFA Champions League yet, as Atalanta is currently five points behind fourth place, occupied by AS Roma, but they will have to improve their game considerably to achieve this goal.
Second-placed Inter Milan have bounced back from their Bologna defeat. Simone Inzaghi’s team beat Lecce, 2-0, to prepare for their away duel with 17th-placed Spezia, first above the relegation line. Inter must win to consolidate their Champions League place.
After three consecutive wins, Lazio play away to 8th-placed Bologna. Lazio’s last two away trips to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara have been nightmares, 0-2 and 0-3.
AS Roma overcame a historic 2-1 defeat at Cremona against Cremonese. José Mourinho’s side beat Juventus 1-0 in the final round, handing the Old Lady their first defeat after four consecutive wins. Roma also play this round at home to 13th-placed Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, who are coming off back-to-back wins, 1-0 away to Lecce and 3-2 at home to Cremonese.
After the 1-2 away defeat to Fiorentina, Milan dropped to 5th place, a Europa League spot. Stefano Pioli’s side will play Salernitana at home, 16th place, and victory is their only option.
