The competition at the pinnacle of Serie A may be the fiercest in all of Europe, and while the opening three matchdays have revealed the fiercest contenders, the title race, and the race for Europe is bound to be one of excitement.
Napoli
In 2021, Inter smashed a decade of Juventus hegemony, before AC Milan dethroned their neighbours the following season, establishing a pattern of revolving champions in Italy. Last season, Napoli were flawless and the exuberant party in Naples extended long into the summer, but can they defend their crown?
In the shocking appointment of Rudi Garcia to replace the heroic Luciano Spalleti, Aurelio De Laurentis has taken a fierce gamble for the Partenopei this season. While one of Europe’s stellar partnerships, the deadly duo of Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen remain, the loss of Napoli’s defensive stalwart Kim Min Jae threatens their resolute defensive record.
An opening game against newly promoted Frosinone began in disappointing fashion, but Napoli came back with much of last season’s vigour. Matteo Politano equalised, before a brace from last season’s Capocannoniere, Victor Osimhen, secured a crucial three points. With Kvicha Kvaratskhelia absent, Giovanni Di Lorenzo pulled the strings, setting up both of the Nigerian’s goals. A 2-0 victory over Sassuolo the weekend after had glimpses of the free-flowing Napoli team of last season, with Rudi Garcia’s 4-3-3 stylistically resembling that of Luciano Spaletti’s. Another Victor Osimhen goal, cooly converting from the spot, before Kvicha Kvaratskhelia made an instant impact off the bench, setting up Di Lorenzo who slotted the ball past Andrea Consigli.
This weekend, Napoli were deservedly and comprehensively beaten by Lazio. After an impressive second place finish last year, Lazio came into this season ripe with hope and expectation. However, Sergej Milinkovic Savic’s unfortunate departure poses a serious challenge for the Biancocelesti. Yet a host of promising talents join the capital team. Taty Castellanos provides Sarri with a prolific back up to Ciro Immobile, Gustav Isaksen and Nicolo Rovella are undoubtedly talented, while the Japanese international Daichi Kamada has large shoes to fill.
Lazio
Lazio’s promise for an impressive season was quickly interrupted with disappointing losses to Lecce and Genoa, piling on the disappointment for the Biancocelesti. With a clash against reigning champions Napoli looming, a sense of urgency enveloped Lazio coming into this weekend.
While Napoli began with tempo and aggression, Lazio scored with their first chance through an outrageous backheel by Luis Alberto. Napoli equalised immediately with Piotr Zielinski’s defected shot, but Daichi Kamada drilled home a left foot finish to secure the three points.
Luis Alberto was pulling the strings, Felipe Anderson grabbed two vital assists and Lazio were playing with swagger. The newly arrived Matteo Guendouzi came on as a substitute, playing in Mattia Zaccagni to score, before scoring moments later, but both goals were narrowly ruled out for offside. A 4-1 scoreline would perhaps have been a fair reflection of Lazio’s chance creation, and the critique of Rudi Garcia’s gameplan and appointment was evident. Perhaps this clash was a sign of a changing tide, nevertheless both Lazio and Napoli have challenges to work through after the international break.
Juventus
Napoli. AC Milan. Inter. Italy’s top four contenders have undergone significant refurbishments over the summer, but Juventus’ muted transfer window heavily contrasted this. Timothy Weah was the only major addition in a transfer window that has not fuelled enthusiasm. Regardless, Massimiliano Allegri has at his disposal a squad brimming with quality, crucially a revitalized strike partnership of Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic. Juventus’ spending is shackled, but the seamless integration of wonderkids, Nicolo Fagioli, Fabio Miretti and Samuel Iling-Junior to name a few, alongside a greatly experienced backline is formidable. Without any European competition to hinder their progress, could The Old Lady launch a surprising title charge? Or will the loss of Juan Cuadrado and Angel Di Maria significantly, without any notable replacements hamper their progress?
Juventus did not look like a team requiring strengthening in the opening weekend. Chiesa and Vlahovic dovetailed fantastically, and Allegri’s team seemed ripe with attacking intent. Adrien Rabiot added a third, but the return of Italy’s star prospect Federico Chiesa is tantalising not just for Juventus, but crucially for the Italian national team. Unfortunately, a 1-1 draw with Bologna at the Allianz Stadium was a reality check. A dismal first half represented a big step backward for The Old Lady and even an improved second half performance failed to secure the three points in Turin.
This weekend, against Empoli, Juventus displayed much of the promise from the opening weekend. A skipper’s goal from Danilo. A Paul Pogba goal rightfully ruled out, while Moise Kean and Arkadiusz Milik’s efforts clattered the woodwork. Dusan Vlahovic had a penalty saved, but it was his strike partner Federico Chiesa who once again starred. The Italian was excellent and displayed immense persistence to stay on his feet after the goalkeeper’s challenge to slot home a second goal for The Old Lady.
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