Juventus and Atalanta strengthened their positions in Serie A’s fiercely contested Champions League qualification battle during the latest round of fixtures, creating separation from their closest rivals.
The Bianconeri secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lecce in Turin on Saturday, allowing them to leapfrog Bologna into fourth place. Dusan Vlahovic continued his impressive scoring form, while Federico Chiesa provided the creative spark that has made him increasingly valuable to Thiago Motta’s tactical approach.
Meanwhile, Atalanta delivered a statement performance by defeating direct competitors Bologna 2-0 in Bergamo. Gian Piero Gasperini’s well-drilled side maintained their grip on third place with a display that showcased their trademark attacking fluidity and defensive organization. The result dealt a significant blow to Bologna’s Champions League aspirations, pushing them down to fifth.
The Rome derby ended in a stalemate as Lazio and Roma shared the points in a tense encounter at the Stadio Olimpico. The draw proved costly for both capital clubs, with Lazio now sitting three points behind Juventus while Roma find themselves five points adrift of the coveted fourth position. The result highlighted the defensive solidity both teams have developed under their respective managers but raised questions about their attacking capabilities in high-pressure situations.
Fiorentina’s European ambitions suffered another setback as they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Parma. Despite dominating possession, Vincenzo Italiano’s men lacked the cutting edge to break down their determined visitors, leaving them six points behind Juventus in the race for Champions League qualification.
With just six rounds remaining, the battle for Italy’s Champions League spots promises to go down to the wire. The expanded format of next season’s competition means Serie A could potentially send five teams to Europe’s premier club tournament, adding further intrigue to the final stretch of the campaign.
Napoli, who face Empoli on Monday, have virtually secured their Champions League return but remain focused on closing the gap to league leaders Inter Milan.
