Serie A, Week 30: Juve victorious in Derby d’Italia; Napoli, Milan both win

It was a rare Torino chance, with Napoli pushing for a second. So, when Torino equalised on the half-hour, it came out of nowhere. An almighty goalmouth scrap from a corner was stabbed in by Barreto, with the partenopei unable to capitalise on their control.

Napoli ended the second half on a low, but started the second very much on a high, as Džemaili netted his second with a perfect finish inside the area, rolling a smart Hamšík backheel into the bottom corner. They created more opportunities, though much as in the first half, they were made to pay for not taking them.

The pitch at the Bentegodi was near-waterlogged at kick-off rolled around, meaning that any attempts at an up-tempo passing game would be thwarted by the swampy conditions.

As expected, Milan easily dominated possession early on, with their efforts to get an early goal thwarted only by the offside flag, as Mario Balotelli and Robinho were caught, and by Chievo’s typically staunch five-man defence.

Goals: Borriello 6 (G), Emeghara 43 (S), Rosina PK52 (S), Jankovic 71 (G)

Juve took advantage of one of these breakdowns in possession, Claudio Marchisio getting down the right and crossing for Andrea Pirlo just outside the box, his effort requiring a smart save from Handanovic.

Andrea Stramaccioni made a change at half time, Fredy Guarin coming on for the ineffectual Ricky Alvarez and the extra power offered by the Colombian immediately changed the feel of the match, with Inter’s attacks now looking a lot more purposeful and effective.

After a slow start it didn’t take long for Parma to seize control, and Amauri almost opened the scoring just after ten minutes in. The striker headed a corner powerfully towards goal, only for Pescara’s goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli to just about keep it out.

Goals: Benalouane 18 (Par) Paletta 52 (Par) Amauri 65 (Par)

A minutes later, and it was 2-0 to Palermo. A quick counter-attack saw scorer Iličić turning provider for Miccoli, when the former’s shot was blocked, leaving it up to the latter to turn the ball into the back of the net. An excellent half for Palermo warranted the two goal advantage, though with the rosanero having thrown away 17 points in the second halves of games this season, it was still no time for celebration.

Roma came out for the second half dominating possession and deciding that shooting on goal was a good idea if they wanted to ever score. Substitute Miralem Pjanić looked lively, though the giallorossi still couldn’t find a way through.

Lazio put Catania under the cosh from the first whistle, forcing the initiative with a plethora of early corners.

Saha somehow missed a chance from four yards out after the ball ricocheted off a Catania defender and into the Frenchman’s path. Saha swept the chance across the face of goal with Andujar already on the ground.

Cagliari’s first came in the 11th minute, courtesy of a defensive scramble by the Viola. A foul, a free kick, a corner: you could see the visitors’ desperation. Then Albin Ekdal headed on Andrea Cossu’s corner. Pinilla, lurking on the edge of the box, seized his chance, looping his shot over the head of Emiliano Viviano.

Of course, with the home side leading, Fiorentina’s desperation only increased. Shot after shot was fired at Michael Agazzi’s goal, the majority coming, oddly enough, from David Pizarro. The Chilean seemed disinclined to send the ball out wide, preferring to shoot himself, even from poor positions. After Marcelo Larrondo replaced Stevan Jovetic in the 31st minute, the possibility of a Viola win looked even more dim.

Their Champions League capitulation against Barcelona notwithstanding, Milan have been in extraordinary form in 2013, unbeaten in the league since the turn of the year (ten matches in total). Max Allegri appears to have hit upon a winning formula after struggling so badly early on with the Rossoneri spending much of the first half of the season in the bottom half of the table.

Chievo injuries and suspensions:

Genoa injuries and suspensions

Siena injuries and suspensions

Lazio injuries and suspensions

Catania injuries and suspensions

Nene (suspended)

Match Date / Time: Saturday, March 30 at 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET

Torino Injuries and Suspensions

Out: Valter Birsa and Matteo Brighi (injured)

They still haven’t won a match since November, and have emerged victorious just thrice in Serie A this season. Worryingly, one of Serie A’s most off-form sides meet one of the most in-form ones at the Renzo Barbera this weekend.

Palermo Injuries and Suspensions

With that victory a flash in the pan, the delfini president Daniele Sebastiani decided to bring in someone else to try to stumble upon the golden formula, though early indications suggest that ex-Primavera coach Cristian Bucchi won’t be able to do the impossible and keep his team in the division.

Parma Injuries and Suspensions