Sat Jan 03 17:40:00 UTC 2026: ## News Article:

Juventus Stumble in Title Chase, Held to Draw by Lecce; Barcelona Extend La Liga Lead

TURIN, ITALY & BARCELONA, SPAIN – Juventus’s Serie A title aspirations suffered a setback on Saturday as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home against relegation-threatened Lecce. Weston McKennie’s second-half equalizer cancelled out Lameck Banda’s opener on the stroke of halftime, but a missed penalty by Jonathan David ultimately cost the “Old Lady” two crucial points. David’s tame Panenka attempt was easily saved by Lecce’s Falcone, drawing boos from the home crowd. Juventus now sit fourth in the Serie A standings, five points behind league leaders Milan.

Meanwhile, Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini endured a disappointing return to his former club as Atalanta secured a 1-0 victory. Giorgio Scalvini’s early goal proved decisive, leaving Roma level on points with Juventus but facing an uphill battle in the title race.

In La Liga, Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the table with a dramatic 2-0 victory over local rivals Espanyol. Two late goals from substitutes Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski secured the win for Hansi Flick’s side, moving them seven points clear of Real Madrid. Villarreal maintained their position in third with a 3-1 victory over Elche.

Over in Ligue 1, Lille’s winning streak came to an abrupt end as they fell 2-0 at home to Rennes. Lyon, meanwhile, kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Monaco, and Strasbourg’s game against Nice ended in a 1-1 draw.

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