Lazio Soar Clear at Serie A Summit as Roma Stumble, Inter Face Fiorentina Test

Lazio have taken full control of the Serie A title race, moving three points clear at the summit after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Parma in Saturday’s late match. The win was made even sweeter by Roma’s failure to keep pace, as the Giallorossi were held to a draw by Napoli earlier in the day.

Maurizio Sarri’s side now sit on 22 points from eight games, two ahead of second-placed Inter Milan, who have a game in hand. Roma, who had been breathing down Lazio’s neck, slipped to third on 18 points, while Como’s strong start continues with 17 points in fourth.

The table has taken on an early shape that suggests a three-horse race at the top, but with Inter yet to play their seventh fixture, the picture could tighten again by Sunday evening. The Nerazzurri face a Fiorentina side mired in the relegation zone and desperate for points.

Lazio make the most of Roma’s slip

The defining moment of Saturday’s round came at the Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio did their job against a stubborn Parma side. The win, secured by goals from Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto, keeps the Biancocelesti in pole position.

Meanwhile, across the city, Roma’s 1-1 draw with Napoli was a missed opportunity. The Giallorossi had the chance to go level on points with Lazio but could not break down a resilient Napoli defense. Paulo Dybala’s first-half equalizer was not enough to secure all three points, leaving Roma three points adrift of their local rivals.

The result also leaves Napoli in tenth place with 11 points, already 11 off the pace. Antonio Conte’s side have work to do if they are to climb back into contention.

Inter face Fiorentina in early kick-off

The focus now shifts to Sunday’s packed schedule, starting with Inter Milan hosting Fiorentina at 12:30 CET. Simone Inzaghi’s side have a chance to close the gap on Lazio to just one point with a win.

Inter’s probable lineup sees Provedel in goal, with a back three of Bisseck, Akanji, and Bastoni. The midfield engine room features Barella, Calhanoglu, and Zielinski, with Dimarco and Diouf providing width. Up front, Thuram is expected to partner Esposito.

Fiorentina, under coach Vanoli, are in dire straits. They sit 18th with just four points from eight games and are desperate for a result. De Gea is likely to start in goal, with a defense of Dodo, Dragusin, Pongracic, and Jimenez. The midfield trio of Ndour, Fagioli, and Brescianini will aim to provide service for Mastantuono, Pellegrino, and Njie.

Juventus travel to Lecce, Milan head to Udinese

The afternoon sees Atalanta host Frosinone and Genoa welcome Venezia, but the standout 18:00 kick-off is Lecce against Juventus. The Bianconeri have endured a mixed start under Luciano Spalletti, sitting ninth with 11 points. A win at the Stadio Via del Mare is essential to keep pace with the top four.

Lecce, coached by Eusebio Di Francesco, are in 12th place with 13 points and will be no pushovers. Their probable lineup includes Falcone in goal and a forward line of N’Dri, Geubbels, and Fatah.

Juventus are expected to field Vicario in goal, with a defense of Gatti, Bremer, and Lucumi. The midfield will feature Kalulu, McKennie, Douglas Luiz, Sarr, and Cambiaso, supporting the attacking duo of Woltemade and Kolo Muani.

The late game sees Udinese host AC Milan at 20:45. The Rossoneri, under Ruben Amorim, are in fifth place with 15 points but face mounting pressure from ownership. Gerry Cardinale’s reported discontent with the team’s progress adds a layer of tension to the visit to Friuli.

Milan’s probable lineup features Maignan in goal, with a back four of Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic, and Estupinan. The midfield of Modric and Musah will look to control the game, while Hutchinson, Loftus-Cheek, and Pulisic support striker Goncalo Ramos.

Udinese, sitting 16th with just four points, are fighting for survival. Coach Runjaic will rely on Okoye in goal and the attacking threat of Davis and Chakvetadze to cause an upset.

What this means for the title race

Lazio’s lead is slender but significant at this stage of the season. Their consistency in the opening eight games has set a benchmark, but Inter’s game in hand means the gap could be cut to a single point by Sunday evening. Roma’s draw with Napoli was a blow, but with 30 games remaining, the title race remains wide open.

For Fiorentina, Lecce, and Udinese, the weekend represents a chance to climb away from the drop zone. The relegation battle is already intensifying, with four points separating 13th-placed Torino from 18th-placed Fiorentina.

Source: TuttoMercatoWeb – La classifica aggiornata di Serie A e tutte le probabili formazioni