Rome (AFP)

Milan beaten and Inter silent on Saturday, Naples overthrown by Hellas Verona (1-3) on Sunday: the setbacks of the leading trio make the business of Juventus, who, by beating Bologna (2-0), made the good operation of the 19th day of Serie A.

The nonuples reigning champions Turin, 4th, come back seven lengths from the leader Rossonero, winter champion despite his rout against Atalanta Bergamo (0-3), and five points from Inter (2nd), hung by the 'Udinese (0-0).

Juve are also still one point behind Roma (3rd), but, with the wildcard of the game late against Napoli (date to be determined), they have clearly returned to the battle midway after the ups and downs at the start of the season.

After his defeat against Inter (0-2) last weekend, the victory came from the first goal in Italy of the ex-Barcelona Arthur, helped by a deflection of the Bolognese defender Jerdy Schouten (15th), and d 'a header from Weston McKennie (71st), who stands out week after week as the rising value of Andrea Pirlo's team.

In the wake of their victory in the Italian Supercup Wednesday against Napoli (2-0), the Turinese have rather mastered their subject, even if their coach regretted that his players did not fold the match faster.

A match where the two Polish goalkeepers of the day shone: the Turinese Wojciech Szczesny by a decisive reflex stop at the beginning of the second period and the Bolognese Lukasz Skorupski in particular on attempts of Adrien Rabiot (86th), entered at the end of the match, and Cristiano Ronaldo (90th).

"We put a good intensity", welcomed Andrea Pirlo, deeming "important" the success of the week in the Supercopa to "demonstrate that we were not the team seen in San Siro" against Inter.

- Lazio join Napoli -

On the other hand, it was a bad week for Naples who, after this lost Supercup, let Verona slip away from a meeting that was ideally launched, with a goal from Hirving Lozano after only ... ten seconds of play.

The Azzurri have gradually died out.

And Federico Dimarco, guilty of the opening of the Neapolitan scoring, redeemed himself by equalizing (34th).

Antonin Barak at a closed angle (62nd) then Mattia Zaccagni from the head (79th) knocked out the Gattuso players, despite the entry into play of Victor Osimhen (65th), who had not appeared in the Neapolitan jersey since the 8th November due to a shoulder injury and then a positive coronavirus test.

"We have distorted", regretted the Neapolitan coach, disappointed to get off the podium (6th), while confirming the Champions League goal: "These are the ambitions of the club, but we can not perform like these."

Napoli are joined by Lazio Rome, who built a precious victory against Sassuolo (2-1) at the Stadio Olimpico.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, with a powerful header (25th) and Ciro Immobile with a cross shot for his 13th goal of the season (71st) erased the opening of the quick score of Francesco Caputo (6th).

At the bottom of the standings, Genoa (16th), in full revival, won a capital match against Cagliari (1-0) thanks to Mattia Destro on an offering from rookie Kevin Strootman.

The Sardinians, now relegated (18th), continue their descent into hell with a sixth consecutive defeat.

Their president Tommaso Giulini has however confirmed his coach Eusebio Di Francesco.

© 2021 AFP