As we learned last week, Christmas cheer may be high all across the Serie A, but come the weekend, festivities had to be put on hold for some actual football. This weekend’s round of fixtures was the penultimate before the winter break. So what happened this weekend?
On Saturday, current reigning champions Milan retook their place at the top of the table with a hard-won victory over struggling Siena. However, they were unseated at the summit of the Serie A on Sunday by Juventus after the Bianconeri’s win at home over Novara. Udinese failed to draw level with Juventus at the top after they were held to a draw against Lazio. Meanwhile, a goal from Andrea Ranocchia gave a struggling Inter Milan their third successive win as they prevailed over Cesena – proving that it’s never too late, in a single match or in the season, to stage a comeback!
However, this weekend’s marquee match – which exceeded expectations in terms of entertainment – was that between Roma and Napoli, known as the Derby del Sole, or the Derby of the Sun, given this appellation in reference to the Autostrada del Sole, the stretch of highway which covers the two hundred kilometers between Rome and Naples. This highly-anticipated biannual fixture is also known as the Derby del Sud (the Derby of the South) as Roma and Napoli were the first two centrally-located clubs to be admitted to the predecessor of what is now known as the Lega Calcio Serie A. Whatever one calls it, however, this match is a major one – and this edition did not disappoint!
The action started in only the third minute with an own goal from Morgan De Sanctis. Daniel Osvaldo then doubled the Giallorossi’s lead in the 59th minute. Marek Hamsik netted a goal for Napoli eight minutes from time, but Fabio Simplicio’s goal in the last minute sealed a crucial win for Roma and coach Luis Enrique. The win will undoubtedly boost morale for Roma but comes as a blow to Napoli, who, despite a stellar Champions League campaign, have seen their Scudetto hopes shaken as of late.
Given all the unpredictable excitement that defines the Serie A, and with a final round of midweek fixtures this week before the winter break, who will top the table when league action resumes in January is anyone’s guess!
Image via Zimbio.
