Serie A, Round 21: AS Roma and AC Milan win as Inter are held by Catania

Despite their open play being roundly poor, Genoa were given the chance to go ahead in the 26th minute due to some dubious refereeing. Luca Antonelli managed to break into the box and although it appeared as if Neto came in with a reckless challenge, there was minimal contact and Antonelli went to ground seconds after the Brazilian goalkeeper came in. The dive worked however as Alberto Gilardino was given the chance to score from the spot, one which he took with typical aplomb, placing the ball high to Neto’s left.

Six minutes later and Fiorentina had a penalty of their own, this one far more clear cut than the one awarded at the other end. As a Pasqual cross made its way into the box, Massimo Ambrosini was wrenched to the ground by Sebastian Di Maio and although the French defender protested, the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Alberto Aquilani stepped up and made no mistake, sending Perin the wrong way.

Genoa are picking up enough points to not have to worry about relegation but recently they have slipped from seventh to tenth however they are just three points from Torino, who head up the mid-table gaggle that Genoa are a part of. In order to finish in the top half, goals are going to have to start coming from places other than Gilardino however they should finish safely in mid-table.

Fiorentina injuries and suspensions

Milan gifted Cagliari the lead on 28 minutes thanks to a howler from Amelia. Another poor kick from the goalkeeper went straight to Pinilla. The forward chipped the ball into Sau, who turned both Bonera and Amelia before slotting into the net. It was the frontman’s fifth goal of the season.

The visitors had the wind behind them for the second half, but were immediately put onto the backfoot. Moments after the restart, Montolivo sent a half volley just wide from the edge of the box. Balotelli blazed an effort on the turn into Row Z after Kaka’s ball into the box missed Robinho and found the Italian at point blank range.

Catania unsurprisingly looked to defend, defend and defend some more, barely capable of retaining any possession themselves. An Inter goal felt inevitable throughout the first half, with Palacio sending a diving header just wide before Rolando glanced a corner past the far post inside the opening 20 minutes

The pace of the game dropped as the first half wore on, and at the break the scores were still level after an extremely unspectacular 45.

Roma opened the scoring in first half stoppage time. Gervinho ran down the left hand side and picked out an unmarked Ljajic, who was on hand to turn in his shot with the outside of his foot from six yards.

The Giallorossi restored their lead on the hour. Gervinho expertly controlled a cross and took the ball past three defenders, carving out enough space to fire a low shot past Rafael.

Inter Milan injuries and suspensions

Catania injuries and suspensions

Juventus started to dominate possession, though for all of their patient interchanges, they could never break Lazio down. The aquile’s defensive midfield was backed up by a terrific performance from their back three, meaning that it was in fact the hosts who looked most dangerous -- albeit on the counter-attack.

The bianconeri had been sliced open a couple of times before Buffon made his fateful intervention just under 25 minutes in; tripping Klose after the German had wriggled in behind. The veteran keeper was sent off and Lazio were awarded a penalty, which Juve old boy Antonio Candreva gleefully converted.

Napoli (4-2-3-1): Rafael; Maggio (Insigne 79’), Albiol, Britos, Reveillere; Inler, Dzemaili (Jorginho 57’); Mertens, Hamsik, Callejòn; Higuaín

Goal: Albiol 87’

While Corini’s return to Chievo at first looked like it would be just the boost the Flying Donkeys needed, the side are now struggling once more. They’ve scored just three goals in five matches, remaining winless throughout, and are even on points with sides in the relegation zone. They’re a bogey side for Napoli, but it’s still hard to imagine them leaving the San Paolo with any points.

Napoli injuries and suspensions:

Lazio injuries and suspensions

Juventus injuries and suspensions

There’s no one truly massive, must-watch match going on in Italy this weekend, but if you can, tune in Saturday to watch Lazio visit Juventus (if you weren’t completely turned off of Juve after their defeat to Roma in the Coppa, that is). The biancocelesti have certainly improved under Edy Reja, but stopping the Old Lady’s twelve match winning run is going to take something special.

On Sunday, keep an eye on the struggling Milan sides, as both have the opportunity to turn things around this weekend. Things wrap up Sunday with Fiorentina playing host to Genoa in a match that could take them even on points with Napoli in third - if Napoli lose to the Flying Donkeys, that is.