Serie A matchday 17: 5 Talking Points

The Italian Serie A wrapped up its 17th round of fixtures last weekend to head into the winter break which spans about three weeks. The last matchday of the calendar year saw the top dogs of the league pick up comfortable wins, barring leaders Inter Milan, who were stunned 2-1 at home by Lazio, thereby reducing the gap at the top to just a point.Neighbours AC Milan pulled off a brilliant comeback at Frosinone to win 4-2, whereas this season’s surprise package Sassuolo were held to a lowly 1-1 draw by rock-bottom Verona. As the Italian top flight enters a customary winter hiatus and players shift their attention towards the upcoming festivities, we delve through some of the talking points from the final Serie A matchday of the year 2015.

#1 Juventus continue to march to the top

With yet another victory in the league, defending champions, Juventus continue their surge towards the top of the table, following a dreadful start to the season that saw the Bianconeri winning only once in the opening five games. The Old Lady made a short trip to Modena last weekend to take on one of the relegation fighters Carpi and walked away with a 3-2 win by the skin of their teeth.

Marco Borriello put the hosts in front before Mario Mandzukic struck twice to put the visitors ahead going into the break. Whilst Paul Pogba scored one more to seal the tie, Carpi were handed a lifeline in the dying moments when Bonucci put the ball into his own net.

Juventus then survived an almighty scare when Borriello wasted a golden chance to equalise just minutes later and claimed all three points to remain fourth in the standings. The victory was Juve’s seventh on the trot, a run that has put them back in the title contention, and they now trail leaders Inter by a mere three points.

#2 Gonzalo Higuain just cannot stop scoring

Napoli put the kibosh on a brilliant first half to the campaign with a routine 3-1 win at Atalanta that ties them with Fiorentina on 35 points, but a position adrift of their Florence counterparts on goal difference. Maurizio Sarri's men have been running amok both in the league and in Europe after a shaky start to the season, and a lion’s share of the credit for their hot streak goes to the prolific striker Gonzalo Higuain, who has been scoring left, right and centre.

The husky Argentine forward bagged another brace in their latest outing, taking his season tally to an impressive 16 goals in as many appearances. Although goals have been hard to come by during the European nights, his scoring prowess in the league has made the Naples outfit a genuine contender for the Scudetto.

Gli Azzurri are just two points worse off the Nerazzurris, who lead the pack at the break. And they cannot be written off from lifting the league title, given the former Real Madrid hitman sustains his rich vein of form till the end of the season.

#3 Lazio throw spanner in Inter\'s works

Inter Milan were stung by an unforeseen blow at home as mid-table minnows Lazio consigned them to a shocking 2-1 defeat. The early-season pace-setters could have restored their lead at the top to 4 points late on Sunday, but the loss leaves them in a precarious position heading into the break.

An Antonio Candreva brace on either side of Mauro Icardi’s strike proved to be enough to secure maximum points from their San Siro visit, despite the Italian midfielder missing a penalty late in the game. La Beneamata were touted to take this one with minimal hitch considering their impressive run at home and Lazio’s mid-table struggles, but the loss puts their title hopes in a lurch. Fiorentina and Napoli are breathing right under their necks, whereas Juventus is on the rise again.

After a long time, Inter Milan have appeared to be able title challengers. But they must avoid such slip-ups to stay in the race even when the season comes to an end.

#4 Bonaventura-Bacca partnership critical to Milan\'s fortunes

Giacomo Bonaventura and Carlos Bacca: The guiding lights of AC Milan

AC Milan midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura has been one of the few bright spots for his side in an otherwise dire season. The Italy international moved to Milan from Atalanta last summer, but it is only in the ongoing campaign that the 26-year old has gone on to prove his mettle.

His partnership with summer arrival Carlos Bacca has been one of the highlights of Milan’s wayward season, and the duo were sparkling in their 4-2 win over Frosinone, even bagging a goal apiece. The two combined to great effect against The Canaries and have forged one of the most lethal partnerships in the league this term.

All they have to now do for the remainder of the season is to harness it consistently to bolster the attack and keep their European hopes alive.

#5 The race set to get hotter in 2016

The *Scudetto*: Who will lift it this time?

The season has almost reached its half-way mark, and the standings make for an unusual reading. Inter Milan have caught everyone on a hop with their surprise run, whereas the likes of Fiorentina and Napoli, the next two behind the Nerazzurris in the pack, are appearing to be the dark horses.

Holders Juventus are regaining form and steadily moving closer and closer to the pole position while AS Roma have flattered to deceive. AC Milan are still some way off the elite grouping in spite of sitting sixth in the ladder.

While it won’t remain the same come May next year, right now it is impossible to predict how the table will look at the end of the season. Just four points separate first from fifth while the top three positions are more neck-and-neck right now.

Can Inter Milan hang on till the end and win a 19th league title? Or will Fiorentina or Napoli spring a surprise? Can Juventus spark an astonishing comeback to claim a fifth consecutive trophy? Will we see Milan back in Europe next season?

There are questions aplenty, but we will have to wait and see the conclusion as and when the season unravels.