Another weekend of Calcio is in the books and after a 36-goal matchday last time out – the highest tally across Europe’s top five leagues – Matchday 2 had a tough act to follow.
It gave it its best shot, though. While there was a shock in Turin as an enterprising Empoli grabbed a shock 1-0 victory over a blunt Juventus, the goals continued to flow among some of Serie A’s contenders. Summer additions continued to thrive, although the first stalemates of the campaign did arrive.
Here’s a summary of Matchday 2 in Serie A.
Friday night action
With the upcoming international break ruling out Monday’s traditional double billing, Calcio fans were treated to a pair of fixtures on Friday evening.
The first saw Udinese, who frustrated Juventus on Matchday 1, earn their first victory of the season. Luca Gotti’s side put three past Venezia as Ignacio Pussetto, Gerard Deulofeu and Nahuel Molina got on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win. The hefty defeat puts Venezia at the foot of the table after two games.
Then came the champions. After Samir Handanovic had gifted Hellas Verona the lead in the opening period, the Nerazzurri came roaring back after the restart. Lautaro Martinez, who’s set to sign a new contract with the club, headed home the equaliser before debutant Joaquin Correa bagged a late and well-taken brace to lift Inter to a 3-1 triumph.
The Antonio Conte grinta still lingers.
Contenders stroll to three points
There were comfortable victories for both Roma and AC Milan on Sunday night. Tammy Abraham once again stole the show as he scored his first goal for the Giallorossi in their 4-0 thumping of a sorry Salernitana.
Jose Mourinho’s side played with a serious swagger throughout, with their second goal nothing short of a work of art. A rapid up, back and through pattern on the edge of the Salernitana box culminated in a Jordan Veretout finish. Lorenzo Pellegrini, meanwhile, grabbed himself a brace.
Olivier Giroud kick-started his Milan career with a brace of his own in the Rossoneri’s 4-1 victory over Cagliari. A frantic start saw Milan race into a 2-1 lead after 15 minutes as Sandro Tonali opened the scoring, and his Rossoneri account, with a fine free-kick. Giroud then scored twice to put the game beyond the visitors.
On Saturday, Lazio followed up their impressive victory over Empoli with a 6-1 rout over Spezia. Once again, Maurizio Sarri’s side found themselves a goal behind but, just as they did on Matchday 1, the Biancocelesti emphatically fired back to race into a 3-1 half-time lead thanks to a Ciro Immobile hat-trick. Felipe Anderson, Elseid Hysaj and Luis Alberto then wrapped up the win with goals in the second period.
Napoli, however, were made to work much harder for their three points. In the absence of Victor Osimhen, the Neapolitans were within six minutes of being held by Genoa after Andrea Cambiaso had cancelled out Fabian Ruiz’s fine opener. Andrea Petagna ensured the visitors wouldn’t be frustrated, though, as he headed home Fabian’s free-kick late on.
Stalemates
Following a goal-frenzy last weekend, we endured a pair of stalemates on Matchday 2. On Saturday, Scudetto chasers Atalanta were held at home by Sinisa Mihajlovic’s dogged Bologna despite having 22 efforts at Łukasz Skorupski’s goal.
Then, in what was the most evenly matched contest of the weekend, Sassuolo and Sampdoria played out a 0-0 at the Mapei Stadium.
Elsewhere, the Vincenzo Italiano era got underway on Saturday as Fiorentina edged Torino 2-1 at the Artemio Franchi. Dusan Vlahovic netted his first of the season with a smartly taken header.
What’s next in Serie A?
After just two weeks of Serie A action, the first international break of the season is upon us. Thus, the next round of Calcio is scheduled for two weeks time in what is a corker of a matchday on paper.
Napoli host Juventus and Milan take on Lazio in two blockbuster bouts, while Sassuolo’s trip to Roma and Atalanta’s clash with Fiorentina will be a pair of contests to certainly keep an eye on. Inter, meanwhile, visit Sampdoria hoping to avenge last season’s defeat at the Luigi Ferraris.
For the time being, though, just pretend you like non-tournament international football. We’ll see you in a fortnight.