Serie A Table 2013 Week 16: Updated Standings Following Matchday 15
The top of the Serie A table has been incredibly competitive throughout the season, and Matchday 15 is unlikely to change that.
Juventus entered the week in first place with a three-point lead over AS Roma. Meanwhile, Napoli is not far behind either, as the clubs fight for positioning in the table and a spot in next year's Champions League.
With a number of close battles set for the weekend, there are certain to be plenty of changes in the standings. Here is a look at the updated table, with a view of Week 15 as a whole.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
| 1 | Juventus | 15 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 40 |
| 2 | AS Roma | 15 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 37 |
| 3 | Napoli | 15 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 32 |
| 4 | Inter Milan | 15 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 17 | 28 |
| 5 | Fiorentina | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 27 |
| 6 | Hellas Verona | 15 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 25 |
| 7 | Torino | 15 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 19 |
| 8 | Genoa | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 19 |
| 9 | AC Milan | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 18 |
| 10 | Parma | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | -2 | 18 |
| 11 | Cagliari | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | -6 | 18 |
| 12 | Lazio | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | -3 | 17 |
| 13 | Atalanta | 15 | 5 | 2 | 8 | -4 | 17 |
| 14 | Udinese | 15 | 5 | 2 | 8 | -4 | 17 |
| 15 | Chievo Verona | 15 | 4 | 3 | 8 | -6 | 15 |
| 16 | Sampdoria | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | -7 | 14 |
| 17 | Sassuolo | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | -14 | 14 |
| 18 | Livorno | 15 | 3 | 4 | 8 | -10 | 13 |
| 19 | Bologna | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -12 | 12 |
| 20 | Catania | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | -18 | 9 |
| Dec. 6 | Bologna | 0-2 | Juventus |
| Dec. 7 | Livorno | 2-2 | AC Milan |
| Dec. 7 | Napoli | 3-3 | Udinese |
| Dec. 8 | AS Roma | 2-1 | Fiorentina |
| Dec. 8 | Cagliari | 2-1 | Genoa |
| Dec. 8 | Hellas Verona | 2-1 | Atalanta |
| Dec. 8 | Sampdoria | 2-0 | Catania |
| Dec. 8 | Sassuolo | 0-1 | Chievo Verona |
| Dec. 8 | Torino | 1-0 | Lazio |
| Dec. 8 | Inter | 3-3 | Parma |
Juventus showcased their strong defense to get things started on Friday. Bologna had a few decent opportunities throughout the match, but they could not maintain possession and failed to get the ball beyond Gianluigi Buffon.
An early goal from Arturo Vidal in the 11th minute got the scoring started for the first-place club, and then Giorgio Chiellini provided the second score with only minutes to go. This was all the club needed to leave with a 2-0 victory.
On Saturday in Stadio Armando Picchi, a brace from Mario Balotelli wasn't enough to earn AC Milan an away win. Instead, the middle-of-the-pack club was forced to settle with a 22 draw.
Balotelli opened and closed the match's scoring, but a goal from Luca Siligardi in the 26th minute leveled the score. Paulo Sergio Betanin added a go-ahead score in the 58th minute. Bolotelli did not allow that score to hold up.
Saturday became a day for draws, as the day's only other match ended knotted at three.
Playing in Stadio San Siro, Napoli jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first half, but couldn't take that lead into the break. An own goal by Federico Fernandez in the 45th minute helped Udinese move into the second half facing just a 2-1 deficit.
It wasn't until the 70th minute that Udinese scored on their own. The equalizing score lasted just a minute, however, as Blerim Dzemaili answered with a Napoli goal in the 71st minute—they could not hold that lead. Dusan Basta helped this match to big finish with a goal in the 80th minute. That concluded the day's scoring.
Back to the top of the tabal. The above mentioned win was the seventh win in a row for Juventus, and it was enough to keep the club ahead of Roma in the standings.
Of course, Roma will have a difficult time matching this production with a tough battle against Fiorentina on Sunday. This pits two of the best offenses in the league against each other, although few have been able to score against the Roma defense.
If Rudi Garcia's club cannot get the full three points, it will provide an opportunity for Napoli to gain some ground. They face Udinese in a winnable home match on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan will try to get their first win in three matches when they take on Parma at home on Sunday.
Hellas Verona, Genoa, AC Milan and a few others will also try to secure wins against weaker opponents over the course of the weekend. The question is which clubs will be able to earn all three possible points. Those that cannot will simply be left behind.
The entire slate of matches is certain to be exciting, so make sure to keep up with the action throughout the weekend.
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.
