#serie-a

#serie-a

Santos beat Cruzeiro 3-0 on Sunday to ensure they will play in Serie A next season, staving off an immediate return to the second tier. They have only been relegated once in their history, with that drop down to the second tier coming in 2023. Neymar has endured an injury-hit campaign, managing just 19 Serie A appearances, but the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has stepped up for Santos in the run-in, scoring four goals across their last three matches.

Image source, Getty Images Fiorentina say they have taken security measures to protect players, staff and their families after they received "unacceptable and shameful" threats. The threats were received following the club's 3-1 loss at Sassuolo on Saturday, which left winless Fiorentina bottom of Serie A after 14 matches. The club condemned the threats in a statement and said it "expresses its full solidarity and support for the players and their families".

The Women's Super League and WSL 2, Ligue 1, La Liga and Bundesliga all have winter breaks taking place over the next month. However, both the Premier League and Italy's Serie A will continue with their respective schedules without breaking. The Premier League will host one match on Boxing Day, with Serie A's first matches after Christmas taking place a day later.

The Scudetto race last year was even, but it always seemed like it would be one of two teams. This year, with AC Milan involved, it is not as clear. It would be nice for Milan to be in a position where they could only look down. However, this is not the case. Instead, the race for the Scudetto sees several teams on a near enough level playing field, and every goal counts.

"Billy Gilmour will undergo surgery in London on Monday, accompanied by Gennaro De Luca from the club's medical staff," a statement on Napoli's website read.

Having arrived in the summer for over €40m (including bonuses), everyone certainly expected more from Nkunku, who has not yet showcased the qualities he displayed with Chelsea barring one moment. His only flash of brilliance came in the Coppa Italia match against Lecce on September 23, when Nkunku scored his first goal with an acrobatic finish from a cross. In Serie A, however, he made only two starts - against Roma and Parma - and has had many sub-par performances.

Roma were not expected to win the Serie A title, but they are on fire at the moment, having picked up 27 points from 12 matches, two points ahead of second-placed AC Milan. Roma will take on FC Midtjylland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening before facing Napoli this weekend. Gian Piero Gasperini's side beat Cremonese 3-1 away from home in Serie A last weekend, which came after a 2-0 victory over Udinese in Rome in the league.