Serie A match-day 20 round-up: Manuela Giugliano brace seals third Roma title triumph

Haley Bugeja scored the only goal in Saturday’s derby clash between Inter and AC Milan. The 22-year-old collected the ball on the edge of the box and neatly worked the space to fire a low shot past the outstretched Laura Giuliani on the stroke of half time. Inter were forced to see out the final moments of the match with 10 players after Marija Milinković pulled back Chanté Dompig just outside the box as the AC Milan forward attempted to race through on goal.

While Inter have fallen short in their title bid, they will be pleased to have sealed the runners-up spot for the second consecutive season. They have also surpassed last season’s points tally by five and will get the chance to add to that in their final two games against Juventus and Como.

Juventus close in on European qualification

Juventus had to take the lead on three separate occasions to claim the spoils in their tricky away game against Napoli. Lindsey Thomas’s looping half-volley was quickly cancelled out by Marija Banušić’s cushioned finish from Kinga Kozak’s inviting cross.

Juventus restored their advantage thanks to Ana Capeta’s determination. The Portugal international closed down an attempted pass from the goalkeeper, forcing the ball to roll into the awaiting net. The away side had only just finished celebrating Capeta’s effort when Cecilie Fløe netted her 10th Serie A goal of the season, making it 2-2 by the midway point of the first period.

The goals dried up in the second period until Paulina Krumbiegel netted an 82nd-minute winner, just moments after she had replaced Barbara Bonansea. The 25-year-old raced onto Amalie Vangsgaard’s perfectly-weighted through ball before she calmly slotted it beyond Beatrice Beretta.

Lazio keep faint European hopes alive

Meanwhile, Lazio came from behind to take maximum points from their away clash against Parma. Cecilia Prugna broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, whipping a sweet strike over the head of Francesca Durante. However, Parama soon saw their lead disappear as Margherita Monnecchi pounced on a defensive mix-up to restore parity.

Monnechi then turned provider for Noemi Visentin to put Lazio in front just before the hour mark. Any doubt over the result was quashed when Elisabetta Oliviero smashed home a third goal for the visitors. Lazio climbed up to fourth place in the standings, while Parma finished the weekend in 10th spot.

Fiorentina return to winning ways

Elsewhere, Fiorentina ended their four-game winless league run with a narrow 1-0 win over Como. The scoreline remained goalless until Agnete Marcussen was penalised for a handball in the latter stages of the contest. Sofie Bredgaard assumed responsibility for the subsequent penalty, stroking the ball beyond Astrid Gilardi to seal all three points for her side.

Genoa on verge of relegation

Genoa are on the brink of relegation after playing out a goalless draw in their away meeting with Sassuolo. The basement side are winless in 15 games and sitting four points adrift from safety with just two games left to play. As for Sassuolo, they remain seven points clear of the drop, assuring them of another season of Serie A action.

Did you know?

Juventus’ entertaining 3-2 win over Napoli extended the club’s unbeaten away run to eight matches in all competitons.

Best goal of Serie A matchday 20

Parma’s Prugna may have ended up on the losing side, but for us, she produced the standout goal of the recent round of Serie A action.

Serie A matchday 20 results in full

Napoli 2-3 Juventus

Sassuolo 0-0 Genoa

Roma 2-0 Ternana

Inter 1-0 AC Milan

Parma 1-3 Lazio

Fiorentina 1-0 Como

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