The weekend before a two week international break provided some enthralling fixtures. Teams on both ends of the table walked away with results that could alter the course of their season. The best games of the weekend have been reviewed below.

The Games

Juventus once again stuttered as they failed to win against a stonewall Genoa defence. 12th placed Genoa will be walking away happy as it ended in a stalemate 0-0. A Dušan Vlahović red card in added time of the second half piled on Juventus woes as their winless run continues. Juventus are now 3 games without a win. They will be looking to turn it around post international break as manager Allegri has once again been linked with leaving The Old Lady.

Bologna got the job done on Friday night beating Empoli 0-1. Without star striker Joshua Zirkzee Bologna left it late with a goal in added time by Giovanni Fabian. In the 94th minute he latched onto a loose ball in the box and slotted it in. Bologna, in 4th now sit just 5 points behind Juventus and in much better form coming into the international break. Empoli however now see themselves just one point above the drop zone. And with a game against league leaders Inter Milan up next the threat of relegation is looming over them.

Lazio, after 3 defeats in a row picked up 3 points with a dramatic 2-3 win vs Frosinone. Lazio came from behind thanks to a Taty Castellanos double in the second half. Lazio are 9th and now level on points with Fiorentina, who have a game in hand. This loss for Frosinone mean they are still sat in the relegation just 1 point from safety.

Roma continue their fine form under De Rossi as they go 5 unbeaten with a 1-0 win against 20th placed Sassuolo. Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini’s beautiful strike into the bottom right corner from outside the box sealed all 3 points for Giallorossi as they look to enter the Champions League spots- they’re just 3 points behind 4th placed Bologna. Sassuolo have now lost 4 in 5 and see themselves sat in 19th, 2 points from safety.

The game of the weekend in the preview was Inter Milan v Napoli. The sides somehow ended an enthralling match at just 1-1. A super double save by Napoli’s keeper Alex Meret in the 12th minute set the tone for a high quality game. Defenders combined for Inter as a low cross from centre back Alessandro Bastoni was slotted home by Ex Manchester United full back Matteo Damian’s in the 42nd minute. Internazionale during the game missed a number of fine chances with both Thuram and Martinez failing to finish chances. The equaliser came in the shape of another defender. On the 80th minute ex Inter Milan centre back Juan Jesus headed in a corner which fell to the back post to help Napoli walk away with a point against the league leaders.

Torino looked in fine form as they secured a 0-2 win away from home against Udinese. Udinese have now fallen to 14th. Goals from Toro’s Zapata, who has now broken double figures for goals this season (10). And ex West Ham player Nikola Vlasic secured the win against a lacklustre Udinese who besides a couple long range strikes failed to penetrate Torino’s strong defence.

Finally AC Milan cruised to a 1-3 away victory against Hellas Verona. Goals from American Cristian Pulišić continued his fine form scoring again, taking his tally to 9. Hernandez looked classy as ever scoring the only goal in the first half and being a constant attack threat. 24 year old Tijjani Noslin scored an absolute rocket for the hosts to get one back in the 64th minute. Before Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze bagged his first Serie A goal for the Rossoneri with a clever volley.

The scores are as followed

Empoli v Bologna- 0-1

Udinese v Torino- 0-2

Monza v Cagliari – 1-0

Salernitana v Lecce- 0-1

Frosinone v Lazio- 2-3

Juventus v Genoa- 0-0

Verona v AC Milan- 1-3

Roma v Sassuolo 1-0

Inter Milan v Napoli- 1-1