Rome (AFP)

Nine goals conceded in three matches: unusually fragile for eight days, Juventus was again shaken hard Wednesday on the lawn of Sassuolo, where it could only take one point (3-3), which l nevertheless approaches a new title.

In their defense, the Turinese can argue that they faced the three teams in a row, which undoubtedly resumed competition with the best pace.

But still. A week after a sudden collapse against AC Milan (from a 2-0 advantage to a 4-2 defeat), three days after narrowly escaping against a dominating Atalanta Bergamo (2-2), Juventus suffered a lot again and spread many weaknesses against Sassuolo on Wednesday.

Roberto De Zerbi's team is a kind of Atalanta in a reduced model, talented, ambitious and playful. And despite two late goals, she still believed in her chances.

The bianconeri had indeed started well and scored two quick goals, by Danilo (6th) and Higuain (12th). But their defense, which recorded the return of Captain Chiellini, is fragile.

Sassuolo took advantage, first with a happy goal from Djuricic (29th), then with a long period of domination rewarded by two logical goals, scored by Berardi with a superb free kick (51st), then Caputo (54th).

Juventus all the same took a point, thanks to the equalization of the head, at the first post on corner, of Alex Sandro (63e), but for the third consecutive game, it seemed to not master much. Three weeks before the return of the Champions League, Lyon has undoubtedly taken notes.

In the standings, the point taken on Wednesday is still a small step closer to a ninth consecutive title for the Piedmontese.

- Roma confirms -

But nothing is done yet and Inter Milan (4th) can return to six points if successful Thursday on the field of SPAL.

Second place, seven lengths from Juve, is currently occupied by Atalanta, still impressive Tuesday against Brescia (6-2).

Lazio Rome slid to third place eight points behind Juventus. After three losses in a row, Simone Inzaghi's team took just one point on the Udinese lawn (0-0).

Behind still, AS Rome retained its 5th position and confirmed a slight return to form with a 2-1 victory against the dangerous Hellas Verona (9th) thanks to Veretout and Dzeko.

Far from the Top 4, Roma now have a small mattress four points ahead of Naples (6th) and AC Milan (7th) and can hope to go directly to the Europa League.

The Milanese confirmed that they had really resumed the competition on the right foot by beating Parma 3-1 thanks to goals from Kessié, Romagnoli and Calhanoglu.

Since the recovery, Stefano Pioli's team has remained undefeated with five wins and two draws.

With 53 points, Ibrahimovic and his family return to the height of Naples, held in check in Bologna (1-1), where the young Barrow responded to Manolas. Naples remains 6th and has anyway its guaranteed place in C3 thanks to its success in the Italian Cup.

© 2020 AFP