Juventus End Winless Streak Post Tudor Dismissal as Roma and Inter Stay Close to Top Napoli
Juventus broke their run of eight games without a victory by securing a 3-1 triumph against Udinese on Wednesday, with Luciano Spalletti poised to take over from the recently dismissed Igor Tudor, while Roma and Inter Milan continued to challenge Serie A frontrunners Napoli.
In Turin, Federico Gatti powered in a strong header during the 67th minute, followed by Kenan Yildiz converting a late spot-kick, handing Juventus their initial success in any tournament since the middle of September and lifting them to seventh position with 15 points, trailing the leading duo of Napoli and Roma by six points after the latter overcame Parma 2-1.
Despite another uneven showing, Gatti and Yildiz came to Juventus rescue, this occasion under the temporary guidance of "Next Gen" under-23 manager Massimo Brambilla, who has filled in pending the appointment of Tudor's full-time successor on the bench.
The score stood at 1-1 as the match entered its closing quarter at a rain-drenched Allianz Stadium, with Nicolo Zaniolo netting his third strike of the campaign right at the end of the opening period to level things after Dusan Vlahovic had opened the scoring from the penalty spot early on.
"I have only worked with the senior squad for a few days, on Monday morning I was coaching the under-23s and by afternoon I was with the first team," Brambilla commented to DAZN broadcaster.
"They are capable performers, they understand their roles, and they earned this result today."
Spalletti is set to agree to a deal lasting until seasons end, extendable solely if Juventus secure Champions League qualification.
However, prior to Wednesdays victory, Giorgio Chiellini, a legendary figure at the club and current strategic director for Juventus, told DAZN that "no agreements are in place at this moment".
At 66, Spalletti endured a challenging spell in his latest role leading Italy, yet he ranks among Italys most impactful managers across the last 20 years, having guided Napoli to a landmark Serie A crown in 2023.
Roma, Inter Chasing Leaders
Over in the capital, Mario Hermoso nodded in his debut goal for Roma shortly past the hour, then Artem Dovbyk delivered the decisive blow with nine minutes left, allowing Gian Piero Gasperinis team to keep pressing Napoli.
Dovbyks second effort of a difficult seasonal beginning for the Ukrainian forward proved vital, as Alessandro Circati responded for Parma soon after, though the 15th-ranked outfit failed to draw level.
"These represent three hard-fought points, once we found rhythm we dominated proceedings, allowing few chances and generating many ourselves," remarked manager Gasperini.
Roma head to AC Milan this Sunday boasting the leagues strongest backline, Circatis effort marking only the fourth goal shipped in nine fixtures, offering an opportunity to affirm their Scudetto credentials.
Milan sit fourth, surpassed on goal difference by city foes Inter Milan, who eased past struggling Fiorentina 3-0 at San Siro to claim third place on 18 points.
Inter recovered from their weekend defeat to Napoli courtesy of two goals from Hakan Calhanoglu and a brilliant solo effort by Petar Sucic, all coming after the break.
Calhanoglu broke the deadlock with a fierce low shot in the 66th minute, at last piercing Fiorentina and custodian David de Geas defences.
Sucic then made it two with his maiden Serie A strike moments later, electrifying the crowd.
The summer arrival from Dinamo Zagreb gathered a pass from Lautaro Martinez near the box edge, weaved past Fiorentinas rearguard, feinted cleverly, and drilled a tidy low effort into the net.
Calhanoglu sealed the points with a tardy penalty earned by Ange-Yoan Bonny, stranding Fiorentina in the drop zone still seeking their first victory.
Federico Bonazzoli netted a double to propel Cremonese over basement dwellers Genoa, climbing them to eighth, a single point and spot shy of Juventus, whom they welcome on Saturday.