Serie A matchday 17: 5 Talking Points

The Italian Serie A wrapped up its 17th round of fixtures last weekend to head into the winter break which spans about three weeks. The last matchday of the calendar year saw the top dogs of the league pick up comfortable wins, barring leaders Inter Milan, who were stunned 2-1 at home by Lazio, thereby reducing the gap at the top to just a point.Neighbours AC Milan pulled off a brilliant comeback at Frosinone to win 4-2, whereas this season’s surprise package Sassuolo were held to a lowly 1-1 draw by rock-bottom Verona. As the Italian top flight enters a customary winter hiatus and players shift their attention towards the upcoming festivities, we delve through some of the talking points from the final Serie A matchday of the year 2015. 

#1 Juventus continue to march to the top

Juventus: Rise of the fallen

With yet another victory in the league, defending champions, Juventus continue their surge towards the top of the table, following a dreadful start to the season that saw the Bianconeri winning only once in the opening five games. The Old Lady made a short trip to Modena last weekend to take on one of the relegation fighters Carpi and walked away with a 3-2 win by the skin of their teeth.

Marco Borriello put the hosts in front before Mario Mandzukic struck twice to put the visitors ahead going into the break. Whilst Paul Pogba scored one more to seal the tie, Carpi were handed a lifeline in the dying moments when Bonucci put the ball into his own net.

Juventus then survived an almighty scare when Borriello wasted a golden chance to equalise just minutes later and claimed all three points to remain fourth in the standings. The victory was Juve’s seventh on the trot, a run that has put them back in the title contention, and they now trail leaders Inter by a mere three points.