Results after round two:
Serie A table:
Udinese surprise, Venezia struggle
After the draw against Juventus, Udinese continue their positive start to the season.
The Friulani win 3-0 against a weak Venezia side, that struggled from the getaway and is yet to score goals.
Ignacio Pussetto, Gerard Deulofeu and Nahuel Molina all scored goals from a decent bit of play, as Rodrigo De Paul’s departure doesn’t seem to have yet the negative impact people expected.
Joaquin Correa presents itself in the best way
Hellas Verona concluded the first-half up on the score against reigning champions Inter, as a mistake from Samir Handanovic helped Ivan Ilic score.
Inter struggled for 45 minutes, but their come-back was all in the name of the Argentinians. Lautaro Martinez scored from his first outing of the season, but Correa stole the spotlights.
The new signing helped Inter win in a very difficult game as, after coming on late, he scored a header and a long effort, for a dream debut.
Lazio move to the top of the table
Nine goals in two games. If this is the contribution of new manager Maurizio Sarri, then Lazio fans can dream high.
For the second game running, they conceded within the first five minutes, but then the show really started.
Ciro Immobile completed a hat-trick within the first-half, the returning Felipe Anderson scored his first of the season and Luis Alberto coronated a superb performance with a goal and three assists.
Atalanta lack precision against Bologna
Atalanta were protagonists of 22 shots against Bologna, but the final score said 0-0.
It wasn’t a brilliant performance, something that won’t make Gian Piero Gasperini happy, following another difficult game on the debut against Torino.
However, la Dea had the chances to win the game, but failed to do so, as Bologna held on, with both sides moving up to four points.
Moments of reflection for Ivan Juric and Torino
Ivan Juric is a diplomatic character, though known to have little patience.
Finding his Torino side still pointless and not having received the signings he was promised from president Urbano Cairo, may lead to his time in Turin already running out.
Fiorentina finally score points, with Nicolas Gonzalez and Dusan Vlahovic as goalscorers against a troubled Granata side.
Ronaldo leaves, Juventus are shocked by Empoli
The biggest disappointment of these first two games has to be Juventus. The Bianconeri are protagonists of an incredible downfall with Empoli, losing 1-0 to Aurelio Andreazzoli’s newly-promoted side.
The shock of Cristiano Ronaldo’s farewell may have hit them hard, but it was disappointing to see a team that lacked fighting spirit, so much so that it was Empoli who were attacking in the final minutes of the game.
It’s too early to make a judgement, but surely Massimiliano Allegri has a lot of work to do.
Chances and emotions, but no goals between Sassuolo and Sampdoria
Two sides that typically like to score goals limited each other to a 0-0 draw that still saw a few chances.
Francesco Caputo was amongst the culprits, as the striker missed a couple of one on ones with goalkeeper Emil Audero.
Coach Alessio Dionisi may still leave the game happy, with an unbeaten side and the satisfaction of being the only Sassuolo coach, together with Andrea De Zerbi, to not lose any of his first two Serie A games.
Petagna’s redemption wins the game for Napoli
Napoli also maintain themselves at the top of the table, but struggled really hard against Genoa.
The hosts kept Luciano Spalletti’s men at bay for almost 40 minutes, before Fabian Ruiz netted a precise effort from the edge of the box.
Genoa fought back and equalised, but a late winner was to happen for Napoli. Andrea Petagna, who was on the verge of leaving this summer, came on and scored after two minutes, heading goalwards a free-kick from Mario Rui.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma keeps the perfect score
There wasn’t much hope for Salernitana, against a well-organised Roma side that won the game in the second-half.
Tammy Abraham scored his first goal of the season with a nice finish, Lorenzo Pellegrini got himself a brace and Jordan Veretout added a fourth.
Roma seem strong when going forward, as the link-up between the attackers and the new presence of Abraham look promising, after a disappointing last campaign.
Olivier Giroud takes the scene
Milan look like a complete team and the start of this season seems to confirm that last year’s positive outing was a starting point.
Between minute 12 and 17, three goals were scored, as Milan soon took the lead again, after Alessandro Deiola equalised Sandro Tonali’s opener. Rafael Leao’s effort was deflected by his teammate Brahim Diaz and went in, but the scene was all for Giroud.
The Frenchman won the heart of the San Siro fans, with two goals that spark hope, after Milan’s recent number nines all endured a tough spell with the Rossoneri shirt.
For the previous Serie A column click here.
For more football content click here.
For more sport content click here.