TURIN, Italy (AP) – Substitute Matteo Politano scored a late goal as Napoli closed the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan with a 1-0 win over fellow title-chasing AC Milan on Monday.
Napoli started the night in third place, one point behind AC Milan and 10 points behind Inter, so both clubs knew they needed a win to keep their title aspirations alive.
However, in a game where there were few clear scoring opportunities, neither team showed much urgency or malice.
Politano, who was replaced by Leonardo Spinazzola just five minutes earlier, broke the deadlock with a low shot with 11 minutes remaining after the Milan defense failed to clear a cross from the left.
Milan gained momentum in the final stages, but were unable to score the equalizer and fell back to third place.
Napoli are now seven points behind Inter with seven games remaining. AC Milan closed in on a two-goal lead.
Juve player McKennie
Juventus’ American midfielder Weston McKennie scored a goal to defeat Genoa 2-0 and was named Man of the Match.
McKennie scored 17 minutes after kick-off, and Brazilian defender Bremer opened the scoring in the fourth minute.
McKennie missed two chances to add to his scoring, but Timber also helped Genoa when Jonathan David hit the post.
Genoa defender Aaron Martin missed a golden chance to put the visitors back into the game with 15 minutes remaining when Mattia Perrin brilliantly went down to save the penalty kick and the rebound.
As a result, Juventus were able to close the gap on fourth place Como to one point. Como were drawn 0-0 by Udinese.
Cesc Fabregas’ side were on top for most of the match but could not find a way past Maduka Okoye closing in on Udinese’s goal.
The result ended Como’s winning streak in Serie A at five, but the points kept their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League intact.
Udinese were comfortably in 11th place, in the middle of the table.
Atalanta defeats Lecce
Atalanta were on track for a top-four finish with a 3-0 victory over Lecce.
Giorgio Scalvini put them ahead with some great footwork inside the penalty area, and former Lecce striker Nikola Krstovic doubled Atalanta’s lead with a clinical finish early in the second half.
Lecce goalkeeper Vladimiro Falcone made several fine saves to keep his team in the game, but he was unable to do anything against Giacomo Raspadori’s powerful strike for the third goal.
The result was Lecce’s fifth loss in their last six games, leaving them third from the bottom in the table, level on points with the team above them, Cremonese.
Atalanta are in seventh place, one point behind Roma.
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