Serie A match-day 14 round-up: Inter close gap on Roma with dramatic win

Inter moved to within three points of leaders Roma with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Parma on Serie A match-day 14.

As for Roma, they were denied three points by the brilliance of Napoli’s Marija Banušić. The battle for the top spot now potentially hangs on a potential game-week, which could completely turn the tables in the title race. Here’s how the latest lot of results in Italy’s top flight unfolded.

Vilhjálmsdóttir snatches three points for Inter

Inter were made to work for all three points in their away meeting with Parma. Caterina Ambrosi headed the hosts into a half-time lead, before Tessa Wullaert equalised from the penalty spot in the 57th minute. Just moments later, Elisa Polli placed the ball in from close range after Wullaert saw her initial effort blocked.

Substitute Dana Leskinen thought she had rescued a precious point when she drove a low shot into the bottom corner with five minutes to play of regulation time. However, the enthralling contest still had one final twist to deliver. As the clock hit 92:49, Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir curled a left-foot shot beyond Camelia Ceasar to spark wild scenes of celebration.

Vilhjálmsdóttir’s late winner sealed an eighth consecutive league win and puts Inter in a position to move level with Roma if they can take all three points from Sunday’s massive clash between Serie A’s top two.

Banušić denies Roma on Serie A match-day 14

Roma would have been bitterly disappointed to spurn a two-goal lead in Sunday’s home meeting with Napoli.

All four goals arrived in a 17-minute period in the first half, starting with Frøya Dorsin’s first league goal since arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the winter window. The forward played a neat one-two with Giulia Dragoni before she slid the ball past Beatrice Beretta. Minutes later, Manuela Giugliano produced a fierce strike from distance to double the home side’s advantage.

Marija Banušić quickly halved the deficit with a composed strike beyond Rachele Baldi, before the Napoli forward levelled the scoring with a superb free-kick from the edge of the box. The visitors went close to losing the precious point when Roma substitute Rosanna Ventriglia headed against the crossbar in stoppage time. But to Roma’s frustration, they had to settle for their second draw in three games.

Ternana prevail in relegation six-pointer

Elsewhere, Ternana came out on top in a relegation six-pointer against Genoa. The hosts had to come from behind after Genoa established a 10th-minute lead in a game that was played on a subpar surface. Elexa Bahr cleverly diverted the ball in after making a darting run to meet Anastasia Ferrara’s low free-kick.

Ternana soon hit back through Valeria Pirone, before Marika Massimino headed the hosts into the lead on the hour mark. Pirone ended any doubt over the destination of the spoils when she fired home from the penalty spot in the closing stages. The effort sealed her brace and moved Ternana up to 10th. As for Genoa, they are now languishing at the bottom of the table with two points separating them from safety.

Fiorentina, Como emerge victorious

Como ended a five-game winless league run with a successful outing against Sassuolo at the weekend. Alex Chidiac’s deflected effort proved enough to give Como a narrow half-time lead. Nadine Nischler doubled the advantage just past the hour mark, tapping home a rebound after Fortesa Berisha struck the upright with an effort from distance. Nischler’s sixth Serie A goal of the season effectively sealed all three points and Sassuolo’s fourth defeat in five league matches.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, got the better of AC Milan in game that was played on a sodden mudbath of a pitch that, in truth, looked unfit for a game at the top level. Madelen Janogy rounded the goalkeeper to score the game’s decisive effort in the 18th minute. While there were no further goals, Fiorentina were forced to see out the final 15 minutes with 10 players after Agnese Bonfantini was sent off for two bookable offences.

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Frustration for Juventus

Juventus, meanwhile, missed the chance to close the six-point gap to leaders Roma. The reigning Serie A champions racked up 27 shots in Sunday’s home game against Lazio. However, crucially, they they were unable to find a way past Solène Durand. The Lazio goalkeeper made seven saves in the contest, and the post came to her aid when she was beaten by Chiara Beccari in the second half.

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While they were left frustrated with a point, Juventus can at least be proud of the fact that they lead the league for clean sheets, having recorded eight shutouts in 14 matches. Five of those clean sheets have taken place in their eight Serie A home games.

Best goal of Serie A match-day 14

For us, Banušić’s free-kick pips Giugliano’s long-range effort for the goal of the weekend. The Napoli star produced the perfect strike to lift her free-kick over the wall and then in off the post.