Atalanta at risk of falling out of top 4 after loss to Lazio

MILAN (AP) — Atalanta’s title chances have already effectively slipped away and now it could be at risk of dropping out of the top four of Serie A.

Third-placed Atalanta lost 1-0 at home to Lazio on Sunday for its third straight league defeat.

That has seen Gian Piero Gasperini’s team fall 10 points behind league leader Inter Milan and left it looking nervously over its shoulder.

Atalanta is only two points ahead of Juventus after the Bianconeri drew 1-1 at Roma. Bologna can leapfrog Atalanta if it beats second-placed Napoli on Monday.

Lazio, which came into the match without a victory in Serie A in more than a month, moved to within three points of Atalanta.

Both teams were lacking in confidence and that perhaps explained the cagey first half.

Atalanta appeared reinvigorated after the break and had two quick chances, with Lazio goalkeeper Chrīstos Mandas making an extraordinary save to deny the league’s top scorer Mateo Retegui at point-blank range.

However, it was Lazio which broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half, through halftime substitute Gustav Isaksen.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru nodded a long ball over the top down to Isaksen, who scuffed a shot past Marco Carnesecchi.

Roma's streak of seven straight league wins — with only one goal conceded — was ended by Juventus, in Igor Tudor's second match in charge of the Bianconeri.

It was an aggressive start from Juventus, and Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar had to palm Nico González's header onto his right post.

Juventus took the lead shortly before halftime. Khéphren Thuram's cross was cleared by Zeki Çelik but only to the edge of the area where Manuel Locatelli volleyed it into the ground to bounce into the bottom left corner.

It was the first goal Roma had conceded in Serie A since March 2.

Claudio Ranieri's halftime substitution had an immediate impact as Eldor Shomurodov leveled three minutes after coming on, heading in the rebound from three yards after Michele Di Gregorio had parried Evan N’Dicka's attempt.

Roma moved to within three points of the top four.

Lecce was loudly jeered by its home fans despite rallying to draw 1-1 against Venezia in a relegation dogfight and ending a run of five straight defeats.

Federico Baschirotto headed in the equalizer for Lecce in the 65th after home defender Antonino Gallo hand bundled into his own net at the start of the second half.

Lecce remained in the last position of safety in Serie A, two points above Empoli which drew 0-0 against Cagliari.

Venezia was in penultimate position, five points below Lecce.

Torino forward Che Adams had a penalty saved in a 1-1 draw at home to Hellas Verona.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Roma's Eldor Shomurodov celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Juventus, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Roma players celebrate after a goal during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Juventus, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Roma's head coach Claudio Ranieri gives instructions during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Juventus, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Juventus' Manuel Locatelli, right, reacts after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Juventus, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Juventus' head coach Igor Tudor gives instructions during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Juventus, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Lazio's head coach Marco Baroni gestures during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Lazio at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (Stefano Nicoli/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Mateo Retegui and Lazio's Samuel Grigot, left, fight for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Lazio at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (Stefano Nicoli/LaPresse via AP)

Lazio's Gustav Isaksen, second from right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Lazio at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (Stefano Nicoli/LaPresse via AP)

Lazio's Gustav Isaksen scores his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Lazio at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (Stefano Nicoli/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shouts instructions during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Lazio at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (Stefano Nicoli/LaPresse via AP)

KOHALA, Hawai‘i--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Kuleana Rum Works, the Hawai‘i-based distillery known for its additive-free, award-winning rums, today announced the release of “An Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum,” written by Founder & CEO Steve Jefferson, addressing why rum is now facing the same scrutiny and market shift that reshaped tequila a decade ago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107792953/en/

Consumers across spirits are demanding more honesty about how products are made. Additive-free labeling has already transformed tequila and is reshaping whiskey and RTDs. Drinkers now expect producers to protect natural flavor instead of masking it, and bartenders increasingly use transparency as a measure of quality. The letter positions rum as the next category entering this accountability cycle, as more consumers begin to question undisclosed sweeteners, flavorings and added color.

Tequila provides the clearest precedent. Producers who embraced additive-free methods helped premiumize the category, while brands relying on undisclosed additives now face growing skepticism. According to the letter, rum is approaching the same turning point. Jefferson explains that Kuleana Rum Works was founded on additive-free principles: growing heirloom Hawaiian kō (sugarcane), fermenting and distilling fresh juice at lower proof to preserve natural character, adding nothing after distillation and holding all blending partners to the same standards. Every rum — whether distilled in Hawai‘i or sourced — is verified additive-free through independent lab testing and supplier documentation.

“Consumer expectations are changing fast across spirits,” said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. “People want honesty in what they drink, and they’re rewarding producers who protect natural flavor rather than covering it up. Additive-free isn’t a trend — it’s becoming the standard, and rum is now facing that shift head-on.”

Additional detail in the letter underscores how production choices such as fresh juice fermentation, low-proof distillation and a strict no-additives policy create transparency and flavor integrity that align with what the market is valuing.

About Kuleana Rum Works

Founded on the island of Hawai‘i in 2013, Kuleana Rum Works crafts award-winning, additive-free rums — led by its signature Hawaiian Rum Agricole® — from fresh kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Now available in 17 states and Japan, Kuleana Rum Works champions excellence, transparency and community stewardship. Visit kuleanarum.com to learn more.

https://kuleanarum.com/additive-free/