Juventus End Winless Run Post Tudor Dismissal as Roma Match Napoli at the Summit
Juventus halted their sequence of eight games without a victory by securing a 3-1 triumph against Udinese on Wednesday, with Luciano Spalletti poised to step in for the recently dismissed Igor Tudor, while Roma held pace with Serie A frontrunners Napoli following a 2-1 victory over Parma.
Federico Gatti powered in a strong header during the 67th minute, followed by Kenan Yildiz converting a late spot-kick in Turin, granting Juve their initial success in any tournament since the middle of September and elevating them to sixth position with 15 points, trailing the leading duo of Napoli and Roma by six.
Gatti and Yildiz came to the rescue after yet another uncoordinated showing, this occasion managed by the "Next Gen" under-23 manager Massimo Brambilla, who has temporarily taken charge pending the appointment of Tudor's full-time successor on the bench.
Juve entered the closing quarter of the fixture tied at 1-1 amid heavy rain at Allianz Stadium, after Nicolo Zaniolo calmly finished his third strike of the campaign in the final moments of the opening period, nullifying Dusan Vlahovic's initial penalty.
"I have only worked with the senior squad for a few days, on Monday morning I was practising with the under-23s and then in the afternoon I joined the first team," Brambilla commented to DAZN broadcaster.
"They are capable performers, they understand their roles, and today they merited the result."
Spalletti is anticipated to agree to a deal lasting until the season's conclusion, extendable solely if Juve secure a Champions League berth.
However, prior to Wednesday's success, Giorgio Chiellini, a legendary figure at the club and currently serving as Juve's strategic overseer, told DAZN that "no agreements have been finalised at this stage".
Roma Chasing the Pack
Spalletti, aged 66, endured a challenging spell in his latest role as Italy's national team boss, exiting Euro 2024 in the round of 16 prior to his early removal during the Azzurri's 2026 World Cup qualification efforts.
Nevertheless, across the last two decades, he ranks among Italy's most impactful managers, exceeding projections at Roma, Inter Milan, and particularly Napoli, where he claimed a landmark Serie A crown in 2023.
Situated one point above Juve are the driven Como side, who climbed to fourth place via a 3-1 defeat of struggling Verona, another encounter contested in persistent heavy showers across northern Italy.
In Rome, Mario Hermoso nodded in his debut goal for Roma shortly past the hour, with Artem Dovbyk then delivering the decisive blow nine minutes from time, allowing Gian Piero Gasperini's team to continue their challenge against Napoli.
Dovbyk's sophomore effort of a difficult seasonal beginning for the Ukrainian forward proved vital, despite Alessandro Circati responding soon after for Parma, yet the team in 15th could not secure a leveller.
"These represent three hard-fought points... after finding rhythm, we dominated proceedings, allowed few chances, and generated numerous opportunities," remarked manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Roma face a trip to AC Milan on Sunday evening, boasting the league's strongest backline -- Circati's effort marked just the fourth goal shipped in nine top-flight outings -- and an opportunity to affirm their credentials in the title race.
Milan, occupying third on 18 points, could be overhauled by city opponents Inter Milan, who entertain beleaguered Fiorentina at the San Siro.