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Mile Svilar and Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini insisted Giorgio Scalvini’s ‘absurd’ Atalanta goal should’ve been disallowed, while La Dea contested why Gianluca Scamacca’s goal was chalked off.

Raffaele Palladino believes Atalanta had a ‘perfect and magical evening’ beating Roma 1-0 and sees this as ‘the turning point we needed’ this season.

Gian Piero Gasperini insists Roma ‘are not diminished’ by the 1-0 defeat to Atalanta, but recognises failure to convert chances is a serious problem. ‘It’s evidently not a coincidence.’

Giorgio Scalvini and Berat Djimsiti hope the 1-0 win over Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma ‘can bode well’ for Atalanta’s 2026, as well as their fitness levels.

Atalanta battled to a 1-0 victory over Roma, with Giorgio Scalvini scoring the only goal in a feisty affair surrounded by refereeing controversy.

Giorgio Scalvini scored the decisive goal as Atalanta gave Gian Piero Gasperini a painful return to Bergamo, forcing Roma to leave empty-handed.

Roma are heading toward a defensive emergency ahead of their trip to Lecce after Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso were both booked during the first half against Atalanta, triggering automatic suspensions.

League leaders Medeama SC will aim to tighten their grip at the top of the Ghana Premier League when they host former champions Hearts of Oak at the Tarkwa and Aboso Stadium in a fixture that carries major title implications.Ibrahim Tankos side arrive in strong form and remain unbeaten in their last 13 league matches, underpinned by one of the most balanced teams in the division.Medeama were held to a draw by Bibiani Gold Stars in midweek, but that result extended their impressive unbeaten run as they continue to set the pace in the title race.Hearts of Oak travel to Tarkwa encouraged by a recent win over Samartex, and their defensive record remains the best in the league. However, goals on the road have been a concern, with the Phobians failing to score in their last four away matches, an issue they will need to address against a disciplined Medeama side.The two clubs meet for the first time in nine months, with Hearts of Oak winning the last league encounter 1-0 in April 2025. Since January 2023, they have faced each other six times, with Hearts holding a slight edge, winning four matches to Medeamas two. Both sides have scored eight goals across those meetings.Medeama top the table with 31 points from 16 matches, while Hearts of Oak sit fifth with 28 points, ensuring a high-stakes contest in Tarkwa.

Fenerbahce are intensifying their efforts to sign Christopher Nkunku, with the Milan forward emerging as the Turkish club’s top attacking target for the January window.

Bechem United will be aiming to respond positively at home when they host Berekum Chelsea, following a heavy defeat to Asante Kotoko in their previous outing.Despite a difficult campaign, Bechem remain competitive at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, where they have traditionally picked up a significant share of their points. The home side will be looking to use familiar surroundings to steady their season and return to winning ways.Berekum Chelsea arrive with renewed confidence after a morale-boosting victory over Eleven Wonders, a result that lifted them out of the relegation zone. The Blues will be keen to build on that momentum, although their away form remains a concern as they seek consistency on the road.Recent meetings between the two sides suggest a closely contested encounter. Since February 2023, they have faced each other six times, with Bechem United recording three wins, Berekum Chelsea two, and one match ending in a draw. Chelsea claimed a 2-1 victory in the most recent league meeting in April 2025, though Bechem still hold the edge in overall head-to-head results.Bechem United have won four of their 16 league matches this season and sit in the lower half of the table, while Berekum Chelsea, with five wins from 16 games, will view this fixture as another opportunity to move clear of danger.

Asante Kotoko travel to Swedru on Sunday with momentum firmly on their side, knowing a fourth consecutive league win could lift them to the top of the Ghana Premier League table.The Porcupine Warriors come into the fixture in fine form, highlighted by an emphatic 6-0 victory in their previous match. They boast the leagues most productive attack and have also shown consistency away from home, making them strong contenders as the season reaches a critical phase.Standing in their way are Swedru All Blacks, a side that has built a reputation for resilience at the Swedru Sports Stadium. Despite a challenging campaign overall, the hosts remain unbeaten in six home matches, conceding just three goals in that run. It sets up a compelling contrast between Kotokos attacking power and Swedrus defensive solidity on home turf.Swedru All Blacks, coached by Egyptian tactician Ahmed Ibrahim Fathi, are 11th on the table with 19 points from 16 matches. While results have been mixed, the pressure is mounting on the coach, with the club needing consistency to pull clear of the bottom half. A recent draw against Karela United offered some relief, but expectations remain high.Kotoko sit second with 30 points from 16 matches and will be targeting maximum points to sustain their title push, fully aware that Swedrus home strength presents a serious test.

Weston McKennie insisted Juventus must look forward rather than dwell on frustration after being held to a 1-1 draw by Lecce.

Luciano Spalletti insisted Juventus produced a strong overall performance despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Lecce, while firmly backing his players after the late penalty miss.

Gleison Bremer admitted Juventus paid the price for a lack of sharpness after being held to a 1-1 draw by Lecce, despite dominating large spells of the match.

Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi was ‘thinking about the time nearly 10 years ago’ when he hired Gian Piero Gasperini, but ‘the club has evolved’ too and is ready to face Roma.