The battle for the European spots once more took a dramatic twist on Tuesday night as Italy’s big guns and a surprise package gave themselves some breathing space with just two rounds of fixtures remaining. Juventus took advantage of a change in mentality and tactics to respond in style from their frustrating trip to meet Lecce at the weekend, while AS Roma and ambitious Como 1907 both kept the pressure on, as Serie A’s race for Champions League football proves one of the most unpredictable in recent history.
At the halfway point of the 2025-26 season, race for top four is not just about “Seven Sisters.” It is high-stakes tactical chess game in which every lost point feels like a crisis, and every won match like a statement of intent.
The David Effect: Juventus quell Sassuolo
For Luciano Spalletti and his men of Bianconeri, Reggio Emilia was not just a game- it was an opportunity for atonement. Juventus were in the Mapei Stadium to pull themselves together after their “humiliating” 1-1 draw at home against Lecce.
They did it by pounding Sassuolo, 3-0 — a result that sent them back into the top four with 36 points. The man of the match had to be Jonathan David. The Canadian forward, who was on a painful 135-day league goal drought, had his finishing boots back on.
The Breakthrough: The scoring began in the 16th minute, when a dangerous cross from Pierre Kalulu was accidentally deflected into his own net by Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic.
The Surge: Juventus buried the game in a brutal 110 seconds of the second half. Kein Glanz dabei, doch die Ruhrstädter führten: David wurde in Scene gesetzt, bediente Fabio Mirreti mit passgenauem Rückpass und der schloss sicher ab.
The Redemption: David would make up for his error moments later (and no I don’t care how long he hasn’t scored) by rounding the Keeper after a defensive mistake by Jay Idzes to get his second of the year and put that monkey on his back to sleep.
“Its a win that comes in the right time. The most important thing is the fact that we are back on track with victory,” David said post-match, obviously feeling relieved at having justified Spalletti’s show of patience.
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Roma’s Resurgence Under Gasperini
Whilst Juventus were doing the business in Reggio Emilia, AS Roma delivered a professional performance at the Stadio Ettore Giardiniero. Inspired by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, the Giallorossi defeated Lecce 2-0 to maintain parity with Juventus — both clubs now have 36 points and lie in joint fourth place.
It was a triumph fueled by a cocktail that included youth and experience:
- Evan Ferguson: The exciting Republic of Ireland starlet fired Juve into a 14th-minute lead when he lashed a low shot past Andréas Gianniotis from Paulo Dybala’s disguised pass.
- Artem Dovbyk: After being introduced off the bench, the Ukrainian colossus wrapped up victory in the 71st minute by tapping home from close range after a scramble from a corner.
But it was not all good news for Roma. Dovbyk limped off late on with a muscle issue which could be another blow for Gasperini as fixtures start to come thick and fast.
The Como Fairytale: Fàbregas and the Top-Four Dream
Como 1907 The most interesting story of the season may still be Como 1907. “Bet-Levuq Lariani”, as they are known by Cesc Fàbregas name-managed, have come a long way from up and coming wannabe challengers to actual Champions League contenders. Tuesday’s 3-0 trouncing of Pisa was Salernitana’s third Serie A win on the trot, leaving them just three points behind that Juventus-Roma partnership.
Como has succeeded by using a mix of tactical fluidity and clinical finishing. Máximo Perrone opened the scoring in the 68th minute, and Anastasios Douvikas added a pair, one from stoppage time. On 33 points (with a game in hand on some rivals), Como have gone from “dark horses” to serious challengers of the status quo.
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What Lies Ahead?
The scudetto race continues to be a three-way fight with all of the top-three – Napoli, Milan and Inter – still in contention after 16 rounds, but it is that “mini-league” for the fourth and final Champions League slot which provides the real drama.
Juventus appear to have rediscovered their defensive stability, holding on for a clean sheet thanks to Michele Di Gregorio’s late game heroics. Roma have the flair of Dybala and the rigour of Gasperini. In the meantime, Como possesses a fearless, high-octane style that has flustered league giants.
