As of Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the UEFA Champions League standings are looking bright for the Serie A teams. The top eight teams will move directly to the Round of 16, while those ranked 9th to 24th will battle it out in knockout round play-offs for the remaining spots. There’s just one more game to go!
Inter, Atalanta, and AC Milan have secured their places in either the Round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs. Unfortunately, Bologna has been eliminated, but they can take pride in achieving their first-ever victory in the Champions League, which is definitely a reason to celebrate!
Currently, the only two teams confirmed in the Round of 16 are Liverpool and Barcelona.
Teams confirmed in the Round of 16 or knockout phase play-offs include Arsenal, Aston Villa, Atalanta, Atleti, Bayern, Brest, Celtic, Dortmund, Feyenoord, Inter, Juventus, Leverkusen, Lille, Milan, Monaco, and Real Madrid.
Teams confirmed as eliminated are Bologna, Crvena Zvezda, Girona, Leipzig, Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava, Sparta Praha, Sturm Graz, and Young Boys.
Sweet dreams to every @Bolognafc1909 supporter! Let’s celebrate this incredible milestone of their first-ever Champions League win, achieved against the powerful Borussia Dortmund! pic.twitter.com/K7TvPRFejU
🏆👉 Inter won the UEFA Champions League against Sparta Prague on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Stadion Letna in Prague, Czech Republic. Inter secured a narrow win, marking their third 1-0 result in this Champions League, despite a performance that wasn’t their best, possibly affected by the chilly weather in Prague. In the second half, Sommer made a fantastic save against Birmancevic early on. Dumfries had a goal ruled out for a very tight offside by Dimarco in the 61st minute. Sparta fought back with determination, but the Nerazzurri remained solid and looked more threatening in attack, even if they lacked the finishing touch to seal the game. Ultimately, Lautaro’s brilliant strike ensured the victory.
Inter grabbed the advantage in the 12th minute when their captain, Lautaro Martínez, found the back of the net with a stunning right-footed strike to the top right corner. The assist came from Alessandro Bastoni. It was an incredible shot from a tight angle, as Martínez connected with Bastoni’s cross, the ball bouncing off the ground, soaring over Vindahl, and hitting the crossbar before settling into the net.
👉🏆Sparta Prague 0 – 1 Inter ⚫️🔵 12th minute ⚽️ goal by Lautaro Martínez for @Inter_en with a right footed shot to the top right corner. The assist is by Alessandro Bastoni. https://t.co/d9p7aZu16i
Sparta Prague and Inter have faced each other four times in European competitions, with Inter claiming victory in three of those encounters (L1). This matchup marks the first time these teams will compete in the European Cup or UEFA Champions League. Inter has a strong record against Czech teams in the UEFA Champions League, remaining unbeaten with three wins and one draw since the 2019/20 season. In those four matches, they scored nine goals while conceding only one.
On the other hand, Sparta Prague has struggled recently, winning just one of their last 20 UEFA Champions League games (D5 L14) and suffering four consecutive losses, a streak they have never experienced before in this competition. Interestingly, all of Inter’s last four Champions League matches have ended with a score of 1-0 (W3 L1), with their latest defeat being a 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen. The only teams to have recorded five straight 1-0 results in a single season are Juventus in 2004/05 (W5) and Maccabi Haifa in 2009/10 (L5).
Player Stats
Nigerian player Victor Olatunji has made a significant impact in this season’s Champions League, contributing to three goals in his three starts—scoring two and providing one assist, with a total of six appearances. The last non-Czech player to have a hand in more goals in a single season for Sparta was Slovakia’s Ratislav Michalik back in 2001/02, who had five goals.
Hakan Çalhanoglu, the Inter midfielder, is on the brink of his 50th UEFA Champions League appearance in this match, as he currently has 49 under his belt. If he achieves this milestone, he will join an exclusive group as just the fourth Turkish player to do so, following in the footsteps of Ergün Penbe (52), Arif Erdem (50), and Bülent Korkmaz (50).
✅ Greetings, my friends! I present to you the latest front pages from the Italian newspapers La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Tutto Sport, dated Wednesday 22 January 2025.
Front Page La Gazzetta dello Sport, Wednesday 22 January 2025
👉Champions League just a draw Juve at minimum
Bianconeri popped up in Bruges but the playoffs are guaranteed
Motta: “We create little”
👉Graz overwhelmed Atalanta at its best
Gasp the goal machine: five
Now to Barcelona for the eighth finals
👉Borussia turns around, eliminated but happy Bologna smiles The first joy in Europe has arrived
👉Mission with Sparta Next Thula
Thuram-Lautaro is next
Inter close to direct passage if they win in Prague
👉At San Siro with Girona Milan on the attack
G8 in the crosshairs: 3 points needed. Gimenez says yes
Bianconeri popped up in Bruges, but the playoffs are guaranteed
Photo: twitter.com/ItalianSerieA
Front Page Corriere dello Sport, Wednesday 22 January 2025
👉Champions: playoffs sealed with the sixteenth draw of the season. Play Juve
In Bruges a 0-0 is enough
Now Di Maria for the top 8
The Bianconeri waste with Nico
Vlahovic enters only at the end
On the 29th there is the jinx with Benfica of the great ex to dream of a (difficult) place among the top eight
👉Atalanta Manita Bologna Makes History
👉 Manna seeks United’s yes Danilo fades: Pongracic idea
Napoli, Garnacho infinite
Negotiations to the bitter end for the Argentine: the offer of 50 million can increase with bonuses.
Intrigue with Lazio: Isaksen for Ngonge
Roma on Raspa
The Brazilian to Flamengo
👉Sparta-Inter (21) Inzaghi aims for the eighth finals “We want to win everything”
👉Milan-Girona (21) And Conceição calls the fans: “You are the soul.”
👉One year ago his death Riva’s 35 goals Azzurro unique
Photo: twitter.com/ItalianSerieA
Front Page Tutto Sport, Wednesday 22 January 2025
👉Juve, disappointing 0-0 in Bruges: the playoffs are safe, but… Thiago, why?
A step back after Milan: lack of conviction, few opportunities and a mistake by Nico against a rival within reach. The 16th draw of the season distances the possibility of finishing in the top 8. Motta scolds the attackers: “Only Mbangula is safe”
👉Toro, here are the numbers of the agreement Casadei with a shiver There is the relaunch of Lazio
👉5-0 to Sturm Graz Atalanta Festival Now mission G8
With Barca for the eighth finals. Bologna overturns Dortmund, it’s the first historic victory, but it’s out.
👉Tonight in Prague and with Girona Inter, inside the big Conceição discovers Milan tensions
👉A Year Without Riva “Gigi and that breaking left foot.”
Photo: twitter.com/ItalianSerieA
=============== Italian Serie A Tickets for the next 10 games
Purchase tickets for the Italian Serie A. Access information on Italian football tickets, Serie A soccer news, previews, and real-time results, as well as current standings in Serie A. Enjoy live updates on Serie A Stats and matches.
✅ Greetings, my friends! I present to you the latest front pages from the Italian newspapers La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Tutto Sport, dated Monday 20 January 2025.
Front Page La Gazzetta dello Sport, Monday 20 January 2025
👉Europe can turn Juventus and Milan’s season around Champions save all
👉Three goals to Empoli, the duel with Napoli continues Inter bite
Lautaro paves the way, then Dumfries and Thuram. Inzaghi returns to -3 (with a game in hand)
👉Party with the fans on the way back from Bergamo Now Conte believes it and charges with the megaphone
👉The heart is Toro Lazio defeats Verona: it is fourth With ten men for an hour, a comeback in Florence
Photo: twitter.com/ItalianSerieA
Front Page Corriere dello Sport, Monday 20 January 2025
👉Decisive hours for Garnacho’s arrival: Meeting with Manchester United Napoli, DeLa’s all-in
The negotiations for the Argentine talent are getting underway: Manna ready to increase the first 50 million offer. Nodye main alternative. Danilo is freed from Juve today. Party in the night for the team: 5,000 fans at Capodichino.
👉The champions beat Empoli 3-1: -3 from Napoli with a game in hand. Inter’s shadow
Lautaro replies to Conte
👉Giuntoli thinks about Newcastle centre-back Juve, solution Kelly
Tomori negotiations on hold, Disasi (Chelsea) and Danso (Lens) the alternatives for the defense. City ask for Douglas Luiz on loan. Still no offer for Cambiaso. Kolo Muani sorted in 48 hours.
👉Double Mbappé Ancelotti overtakes: Real first
Photo: twitter.com/ItalianSerieA
Front Page Tutto Sport, Monday 20 January 2025
👉In Florence, a draw in 10: “Team an example for the club” Boys heart Toro Vanoli nails Cairo
Another comeback beyond the limits of the Granata: Gineitis snatches it after the unjust expulsion of Dembélé (in tears in the locker room) and the goal of Kean. The coach: “We need at least one like Zapata …”
👉Tomorrow in the Champions League with full trust and Giuntoli dusts off the Newcastle center-back Juve breakthrough, Kelly too
Tomori doesn’t want to leave Milan for now. Hancko blocked. Here’s the Englishman for the defense. Talks with Chelsea for Veiga and Chilwell. Not only Cambiaso: City on Douglas Luiz. Towards Brugge: Yildiz and McKennie tested today. Waiting for Kolo Muani’s registration. The baby Santa Maria arrives.
👉Ace on the pitch and on the market Mbangula returns to Brugge as a star
The Belgian in the city where it all started. He dreams of starting
👉Empoli KO, Napoli is there Lautaro, Dumfries and Thuram: Inter go -3
Photo: twitter.com/ItalianSerieA
=============== Italian Serie A Tickets for the next 10 games
Purchase tickets for the Italian Serie A. Access information on Italian football tickets, Serie A soccer news, previews, and real-time results, as well as current standings in Serie A. Enjoy live updates on Serie A Stats and matches.
Check out the Italian Serie A Week 21 Results Live Scores happening on Friday 17, Saturday 18, Sunday 19, and Monday 20 January 2025.
⚽️ The Serie A Top Scorers up to Week 21
Atalanta forward Mateo Retegui with 14 goals. ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Inter forward Marcus Thuram follows with 13 goals ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Fiorentina forward Moise Kean with 12 goals ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
✅ What’s happening in Round 21?
Napoli triumphed over Atalanta with a score of 3-2 at the Gewiss Stadium. This victory marks Napoli’s sixth straight win in the league, solidifying their top position with 50 points, while Atalanta remains in third place with 43 points. Napoli is clearly leading the charge for the Scudetto, leaving the other teams trailing behind. Retegui opened the scoring in the 16th minute, followed by Politano’s goal in the 27th minute, and McTominay extended the lead in the 40th minute. In the second half, Lookman leveled the score with a brilliant individual effort in the 55th minute, but Lukaku netted the winning goal with a header in the 78th minute, assisted twice by Anguissa.
The battle for the Scudetto is heating up. Inter secured a solid 3-1 victory against Empoli. Although the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, the Nerazzurri faced some challenges throughout the match. The team’s success was largely due to their standout players: Lautaro opened the scoring, followed by Dumfries and Thuram sealing the deal, with Esposito adding a moment of joy by netting the temporary 2-1. With this win, Inter with 47 points maintains a 3-point lead over Napoli with 50 points as they await their rescheduled match against Fiorentina. In their next Serie A fixture, Inter will take on Lecce, while Empoli will go up against Bologna.
👉 🇮🇹 I encourage you to check out this post and click on the links for real-time Serie A stats, lineups, Standings, and more.
Roma triumphed thanks to goals from Dovbyk, Stephan El Shaarawy, and the own goal by Nicola Leali, while Masini managed to equalize temporarily for Genoa. Paulo Dybala’s outstanding performance added flair to a convincing display by Ranieri’s Roma, who are inching closer to the European spots. Roma reached 27 points while Genoa remained with 23 points.
Lazio conquered the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium. This game marks Hellas Verona’s first under new ownership and failed to secure their first victory of 2025 against their former coach, Marco Baroni. Verona faced another tough defeat at the Bentegodi, suffering a heavy loss to Lazio. Verona were once again let down by significant defensive mistakes, with Gigot scoring from a header and Dia easily finding the net during a counterattack in the first half. In the second half, Zaccagni capitalized on a defensive error to add to the score. Zanetti’s squad only showed some fight in the last five minutes of the first half, creating three solid opportunities but failing to convert any.
Juventus currently holds the fourth spot in the standings with 37 points, marking their 21st consecutive positive result. Meanwhile, Milan, who hadn’t faced defeat since December 6 against Atalanta, sits at eighth place with 31 points, although they still have a game to catch up on. Juventus celebrated their first win of 2025 by defeating Milan, thanks to a quick one-two from Mbangula and Weah within five minutes around the hour mark. Conceiçao’s team struggled to create any chances in the second half and failed to respond effectively after the Bianconeri’s goals, making it a night to forget for the Rossoneri.
Bologna celebrated a fantastic victory today, bringing their total points to 33, while Monza remains in last place with 13 points. Mariani praised the thrilling match filled with goals, which ended in favor of the home team. Daniel Maldini opened the scoring just 4 minutes in, but Castro equalized in the 22nd minute. Odgaard then put Bologna ahead with a goal in the 34th minute. The second half continued at a fast pace, and in the 69th minute, after a brief response from Brianza, Orsolini extended the lead to 3-1 with a well-placed shot following a cross from Lykogiannis. Looking ahead, Vincenzo Italiano and Bocchetti’s teams will face Empoli away and Genoa at home, respectively. The match concluded at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna!
Parma and Venezia ended with a 1-1 draw at the Ennio Tardini Stadium. Venezia managed to secure a draw in Parma, largely due to their goalkeeper’s outstanding performance. The Venetians have now accumulated 15 points but still find themselves in second-to-last place in the standings. This draw allows the ducal team to rise to 15th place with a total of 20 points. In their upcoming match, Pecchia’s squad will take on Milan at San Siro. Notably, the duel between Camara and Stankovic was a highlight, with the 22-year-old talent successfully thwarting all of the Parma midfielder’s scoring attempts. Stankovic, a gem from the Inter academy, was recognized as the best player on the field once again.
Fiorentina and Torino ended the Serie A Week 21 with a draw at the Artemio Franchi Stadium. Fiorentina found themselves tied at 1-1 with Torino, even with an extra player after Ali Dembele’s red card. Moise Kean initially put Torino ahead, but Gineitis managed to level the score following a significant mistake by Comuzzo, who lost possession during the build-up.
Cagliari triumphed over Lecce in a spectacular fashion at the Unipol Domus. Cagliari’s performance was nothing short of a knockout, as they secured three vital points in their quest for safety. Lecce initially took the lead with a goal from Pierotti in the 42nd minute, but they seemed to fade in the second half. Cagliari made a dramatic comeback, with Gaetano equalizing in the 60th minute, followed by Luperto’s goal just five minutes later. Zortea completed a hat-trick with his strike in the 80th minute, and Obert added another in the 83rd minute. Lecce ended the match with ten players after Rebic received a red card in the 73rd minute.
Stay updated with Serie A Week 21 Results live scores from the Italian Serie A matches and track the standings in real time. Serie A live scores and results. Let’s start this party! Don’t forget the popcorn while we cheer for our teams. Absolutely, I’m in! Forza ragazzi! I can hardly contain my excitement!
This season is branded as the Serie A Enilive and Serie A Made in Italy for sponsorship agreements both locally and internationally. Additionally, this marks the 123rd season of top-level Italian football, the 93rd conducted in a round-robin format, and the 15th since the league was organized under its own governing body, the Lega Serie A.
By Anna Italia
Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
