Roma remain unbeaten but have drawn four consecutive games.
With 14 games of the season gone, defending champions Juventus have begun to find their stride and opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Serie A table.
Despite Roma’s unbeaten start to the season, the Giallorossi have been held to four consecutive draws which has ultimately allowed their rivals to cut the early deficit.
While Rudi Garcia has been keen to point out the positives from their campaign thus far as Kevin Strootman rescued a point at Atalanta, their recent inability to turn draws into victories will undoubtedly be disappointing.
However, there was some good news this week as it was confirmed that Francesco Totti is stepping up his comeback from a hamstring injury, and his return will not only provide Garcia with some additional creativity and attacking threat but it will also help lift the entire squad.
Nevertheless, the capital club now trail Juve by three points, with Fernando Llorente’s late goal against Udinese securing all three points for the Old Lady.
Having overcome his early struggles upon his arrival in Turin, the Spanish striker has grown into a decisive player in recent weeks and it appears as though he is now well settled in Antonio Conte’s system.
In contrast, Conte received an injury blow following the game as it was confirmed that Andrea Pirlo will be sidelined until 2014 with knee ligament damage.
While it is expected that the Bianconeri will cope without him domestically, his absence will undoubtedly be a blow looking ahead to the Champions League clash with Galatasaray next week.
Elsewhere, AC Milan bounced back from recent crisis talk and followed up their win against Celtic with all three points at Catania.
Despite falling behind, the Rossoneri battled back with goals from Riccardo Montolivo, Mario Balotelli and Kaka helping to calm the tense atmosphere surrounding the club, particularly considering the controversy off the pitch.
It is understood that Adriano Galliani and Barbara Berlusconi are expected to meet on Tuesday to discuss the management of the club moving forward, after owner Silvio Berlusconi rejected the former’s resignation last week.
Meanwhile, there was a festival of goals on Monday night as Fiorentina secured a 4-3 win against Hellas Verona to move back level with Inter in fourth place, while Napoli got back to winning ways with victory at Lazio.
With criticism growing of Rafa Benitez after some disappointing results, the Spanish tactician will be relieved with the outcome, but additionally with the return to form of Gonzalo Higuain.
The Argentinian has struggled in recent weeks as he looked to regain full fitness following an injury setback, but it appeared for the first time in weeks that the former Real Madrid striker was at full pace which resulted in a brace.
Victory leaves Napoli six points adrift of Juventus, but with the pre-winter break stretch ahead they will be determined to build up momentum to cut the gap at the top.
Serie A Results:
Parma 1-1 Bologna
Genoa 1-1 Torino
Catania 1-3 AC Milan
Cagliari 2-2 Sassuolo
Chievo 3-0 Livorno
Atalanta 1-1 Roma
Inter 1-1 Sampdoria
Juventus 1-0 Udinese
Fiorentina 4-3 Verona
Lazio 2-4 Napoli
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