Serie A Matchday 17: Milan, Napoli, and Inter Win; Juventus Closes Gap at the Top
2025-12-29 · Serie A
In Serie A’s 17th matchday, Milan crushed Verona 3-0 with a Nkunku brace, Napoli won 2-0 away at Cremonese thanks to Hojlund’s goals, and Inter edged past Atalanta 1-0 with Lautaro Martínez’s strike, reclaiming the top spot. Juventus secured a 2-0 win in Pisa, narrowing the gap, while Spalletti urged his team toward higher ambitions.
The 17th matchday of Serie A delivered pivotal results in the title race. Milan dominated Verona 3-0 at San Siro, with goals from Pulisic and a brace from Nkunku, who finally found his scoring touch in the league. Napoli secured a crucial 2-0 away win at Cremonese, with Hojlund netting both goals, while Inter defeated Atalanta 1-0 in Bergamo, thanks to Lautaro Martínez’s winner, propelling them back to the summit. Chivu’s side now leads the table with 35 points.
Milan 3-0 Verona: Pulisic Opens, Nkunku Doubles Up
Milan struggled in the first half but broke the deadlock just before halftime, with Christian Pulisic finishing a Rabiot assist in the 46th minute. Early in the second half, Nkunku ended his Serie A drought, scoring twice in five minutes (48’ penalty, 53’). Verona never truly threatened Maignan, and Milan’s defense held firm. Coach Allegri can now believe in his side, who sit top of the table with 35 points.
Napoli Claims Victory in Cremona with Hojlund Brace
Napoli earned a vital 2-0 win at Cremonese, with Hojlund scoring both first-half goals—first from a Politano cross, then a close-range finish. Despite Cremonese’s second-half push, Conte’s team never lost control. The victory takes Napoli to 34 points, just one behind Milan.
Inter Returns to the Top Thanks to Lautaro Martínez
In a fiercely contested match, Inter edged Atalanta 1-0. The Nerazzurri had multiple first-half chances, including a disallowed Thuram goal for Lautaro’s offside. The breakthrough came in the 65th minute when Djimsiti’s error allowed Pio Esposito to set up Lautaro, who coolly slotted past Carnesecchi. The Argentine striker, now with 15 goals in 2025, was the standout performer. Atalanta nearly equalized late through Samardžić, but Inter held on. With 33 points, they sit third but have two games in hand over the top two.
Juventus Wins in Pisa, Closes Gap at the Top
Juventus secured their fourth straight win (third in Serie A), beating Pisa 2-0 away. The match was tightly contested, with both sides hitting the woodwork. The decisive goal came in the 73rd minute, credited to Kalulu after a scramble in the box. Yıldız sealed the win in stoppage time with an empty-net finish. Coach Spalletti joked: ‘If others don’t play, we can even go top… we pick up points here and there…’ Juventus now sit on 32 points, firmly in the Scudetto race.
Other Results & League Standings
Bologna and Sassuolo drew 1-1 (Fabbian, Muharemović), Parma beat Fiorentina 1-0 (Sørensen), and Cagliari came from behind to win 2-1 at Torino, ending their away win drought. Como thrashed Lecce 3-0, boosting their European ambitions, while Udinese and Lazio played out a 1-1 draw (Vecino, Davis).
The updated table sees Milan (35 pts) lead, followed by Napoli (34), Inter (33), Juventus (32), and Roma (30). The title race remains wide open, with the top five separated by just five points.
Conclusion
Serie A’s Matchday 17 underscored the complete balance in the Scudetto race, with Milan, Napoli, and Inter battling fiercely. Juventus, despite early struggles, has re-emerged as a contender. Upcoming fixtures, including Roma vs. Genoa, could further shake up the standings, keeping fans on the edge of their seats in this thrilling season.