Torino hold league leaders to end winning streak.
The winning streak is finally over for Roma after they were held to a 1-1 by Torino on Sunday night, and having now experienced their first taste of disappointment it remains to be seen how Rudi Garcia’s men will react.
The Giallorossi had begun the campaign with 10 consecutive victories to move clear at the top of the Serie A table, and with one of the most formidable defences in Europe it appeared as though they would be able to extend that run further.
However, an Alessio Cerci-inspired Torino side had other ideas as they pegged the capital club back for the first time this season, and despite penalty claims and changes in personnel, Garcia could not find a way past them for a second time.
While the plaudits were well earned, it will now be vital for the French tactician to garner an immediate response from his players as they look to react.
Roma have been keen to downplay talk of a Scudetto challenge this season, and it was particularly interesting that their first dropped points came in a week where they had two fixtures in a matter of days.
Much has been said about how their absence from Europe could help their domestic cause, but moving forward they will have that advantage over their nearest rivals.
Meanwhile, the crisis deepens for AC Milan after their 2-0 loss to Fiorentina on Saturday night which leaves them 16 points adrift of the top three.
Massimiliano Allegri is set to continue despite fierce criticism as he announced another training retreat after the game, although the newspapers in Italy on Monday were dominated by talk of a revolution at the club.
The Curva Sud displayed their frustration with the club’s management as they unfurled a banner during the game reminding them that they had warned them to strengthen the defence and midfield in the summer.
While that warning was ignored, director Barbara Berlusconi has now reportedly made initial moves to revolutionise the club’s structure.
Vice-President Adriano Gallaini is under fire as is Allegri, and it is understood that owner Silvio Berlusconi has called a meeting with his children on Monday afternoon to discuss the future of the club.
Elsewhere, both Juventus and Napoli picked up hard-fought wins to move within three points of leaders Roma, while Hellas Verona’s extraordinary return to Serie A continues as they sit in fifth place level on points with Inter Milan.
Serie A Results: Parma 0-1 Juventus; AC Milan 0-2 Fiorentina; Napoli 2-1 Catania; Livorno 1-0 Atalanta; Hellas Verona 2-1 Cagliari; Lazio 0-2 Genoa; Sampdoria 3-4 Sassuolo; Udinese 0-3 Inter Milan; Torino 1-1 Roma.
