The first games after the international break came on Saturday 30th March. Some big results for teams fighting for European qualification were the highlight of the day.

The games

Napoli’s poor season continued as they faced Atalanta at home, where they were rolled over 0-3. Atalanta’s first win in 5 matches came from two first-half goals from Miranchuk and former West Ham striker Scamacca. A late 88th-minute goal from the Dutchman Koopmeiners added to Partenopei’s woes as they now sit in 8th place. Warning signs were apparent from the first kick as Miranchuk hit the post with a smart strike within the first 3 minutes. Then, in the 26th minute, he made no mistake to bundle a loose ball in the 6-yard box. Scamacca’s goal came in the 45th minute as he received the ball just outside the box before superbly digging it out from under his feet to surprise Meret as the strike found the bottom corner. Koopmeiners sealed an excellent Atalanta win as he received the ball well before driving into the left side of the box before flashing the ball across the goal into the far corner.

The good result for Atalanta means they now sit just one point outside the Champions League spots, in 5th place. Napoli have slid further down the table with this loss, now in 8th place. If their form continues to decline, Napoli will be out of Europe altogether next season. If that’s the case, they will struggle to keep hold of stars such as Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia.

Another important victory in the chase for Europe came in the form of a Lazio victory against Juventus. Lazio beat Juventus 1-0 at home thanks to a 93rd-minute winner by Adam Marušić, who headed home a Matteo Guendouzi cross. The Lazio win puts them in 7th place as they leapfrog Napoli. Juventus’s poor form continues as they haven’t won in 4 matches, and fans of The Old Lady are calling for Allegri to be sacked. Despite sitting in 3rd place—a marked improvement on recent times—the football Allegri is playing with his back 5 approach is poor to watch, and players such as Chiesa are being forced out of position. The loss for Juventus adds further pressure onto Allegri and his staff as teams such as Bologna and Roma, both in red-hot form, are closing the gap.

AC Milan also secured victory away from home against Fiorentina, who were unbeaten in 4 matches. Three goals in 6 minutes provided a hectic start to the second half, with goals scored in the 47th, 50th, and 53rd minute. Englishman Ruben Loftus-Cheek opened the scoring after a fine back-heel from Rafael Leao across the box, which was smashed in by the former Chelsea player. Fiorentina instantly replied, less than 2 minutes after kick-off, as Alfred Duncan drove through the Milan half before finding the bottom corner from outside the box with an excellent finish. However, Fiorentina didn’t hold on for long, as Leao drove and got away from the Fiorentina defense before rounding the keeper and putting the ball into an empty net. Leao’s goal and assist secured the win in a close game, with both teams matching each other for possession and shots.

AC Milan are still sitting in 2nd, 11 points off leaders Inter Milan and 6 points off 3rd place Juventus. Fiorentina sit in 10th but with only 3 points splitting 10th and 7th Fiorentina have the chance to capitalise on teams such as Napoli’s poor form.

The final mid-table Saturday fixture saw Torino secure victory, thanks to a penalty from Sanabria. Torino dominated possession and created good chances, but 11th-placed Monza made the game tough, and Torino relied on a penalty to secure all 3 points. These were crucial points for 9th-placed Torino as they continue to fight to stay in the European race. With wins in their last 2 matches and undefeated in 4, Torino will be looking to chase down Napoli and Lazio.