Serie A Matchday 18 Roundup

Last Updated on janeiro 5, 2026 3:09 pm by Erwin Noguera

Matchday 18 of the Serie A 2025/26 left a strong impression and key movements at the top of the table. The start of 2026 brought no respite: close games, costly mistakes, and results that reaffirm that the fight for the Scudetto is far from over. It was a day marked by efficiency in decisive moments and constant pressure on the teams aspiring to the top.

Inter, Milan, and Napoli continue to star in an exciting battle for the lead. Every point begins to have strategic value, and any misstep can alter the balance. While Milan secured a narrow away victory, Napoli made a statement in Rome, and Inter remains watchful, knowing that consistency will be the determining factor in the second half of the championship.

Behind them, the matchday also left warning signs for historic clubs such as Juventus and Roma, who let important opportunities slip away. Unexpected draws and painful defeats show that Serie A remains unpredictable, where hierarchy does not always guarantee the result, and details continue to make the difference.

No Troca de Gambila, you can explore all the predictions for the Italian série A, as apostas finais para esta jornada e as probabilidades para cada partida.

Serie A Matchday 18 Games

Serie A Matchday 18 Roundup: Cagliari vs. Milan

Milan started the year with a hard-fought victory at the Arena Sardegna, where they narrowly beat Cagliari in a low-tempo match with few chances. From the start, Massimiliano Allegri’s side took control of the ball and sought to hurt their opponents mainly through set pieces and crosses from the wings. Luka Modrić was key in the build-up play, while Loftus-Cheek and Saelemaekers created danger without managing to finish with precision.

The game opened up at the start of the second half. A well-worked move down the wing ended with a cross from Adrien Rabiot and a clinical finish from Rafael Leão inside the area. The goal forced Cagliari to push forward, but Milan managed their lead intelligently and solidly.

In the final stretch, Allegri made some substitutions and gave Niclas Füllkrug his official debut in the Rossoneri shirt. The German striker provided an offensive presence and helped close out the match, which Milan managed without any surprises. With this result, the Lombards remain firmly in the fight for first place.

Result: Cagliari 0–1 Milan

Serie A Matchday 18 Roundup: Juventus vs. Lecce

Juventus dropped two points in Turin in a match that highlighted their lack of cutting edge. Despite arriving on the back of a positive run of form, the Old Lady was caught off guard by a well-organized and daring Lecce side, who took advantage of a defensive error to take the lead just before halftime.

After the break, the Bianconeri’s reaction was not long in coming. Weston McKennie equalized after a good combination with Kenan Yildiz, restoring momentum to the home side. Juve took control of the game and had a great chance to take the lead from the penalty spot.

However, Jonathan David missed his shot, and the draw ended up being the final score. Lecce held on with Falcone decisive between the posts, while Juventus struggled with a lack of efficiency and anxiety in the final minutes. The result leaves the Turin side in fifth place, losing ground in the race for the top spots.

Result: Juventus 1–1 Lecce

Serie A Matchday 18 Roundup: Atalanta x Roma

In Bergamo, Roma suffered a setback that could weigh heavily on their aspirations. Despite dominating possession and showing better numbers in attack, the team failed to translate its superiority into goals. Atalanta, on the other hand, was pragmatic and punished Roma on one of the few clear chances they created.

The only goal of the match came early, when Giorgio Scalvini took advantage of a corner kick to finish with quality and make it 1-0. From there, the home side closed down with discipline and neutralized the offensive attempts led by Dybala, Soulé, and Evan Ferguson.

The defeat drops Roma out of the Champions League places and confirms that, in this Serie A season, a lack of cutting edge can be as decisive as a defensive error. Atalanta, meanwhile, picked up a key victory that reinforces their strength at home.

Result: Atalanta 1–0 Roma

Serie A Matchday 18 Roundup: Lazio x Napoli

Napoli put in one of the most convincing performances of the matchday, winning convincingly at the Stadio Olimpico against Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team showed character, intensity, and a very solid performance away from home, breaking a negative streak that had lasted several seasons in Rome.

Matteo Politano was the star of the show. Both decisive plays came from his wing: first, he assisted Spinazzola for the 0-1, and later he delivered a perfect cross that Rrahmani converted into the second goal. Napoli managed the game with maturity and conceded few clear chances.

The match ended on a tense note, with three red cards reflecting the intensity of the closing stages. Beyond that, the result confirms Napoli as serious title contenders, putting them just one point behind the leaders and reinforcing the feeling that the battle with Milan and Inter will be long and demanding.

Result: Lazio 0–2 Napoli