Matchday 4 gets underway: no room to fall behind
Things are starting to get serious. The time to settle into the new campaign is already running out, with all 20 Serie A Enilive clubs under pressure to avoid losing ground. A summer’s worth of ambition can quickly start to fade, but an unexpectedly strong start can just as easily encourage teams to aim higher.
The first change in the dugout has arrived less than a month into the season: Paolo Vanoli has returned to Florence to replace Fabio Grosso, who was dismissed after only three league matches. It serves as a warning to the other coaches, who know how alarmingly easy it is to lose direction and be out of a job within weeks.
The table is beginning to take shape, with last weekend’s six-pointers offering some significant early clues. Inter, Roma and Lazio lead the way with maximum points, while Venezia, Genoa and Fiorentina remain on zero. Between those two groups, plenty of stories and possibilities are still taking shape.
Matchday 4 is upon us, and nobody can afford to be caught unprepared.
VENEZIA VS. FIORENTINA (FRIDAY, 20:45 CEST)
Paolo Vanoli’s new chapter with Fiorentina fittingly begins at the Penzo against Venezia, the club he led to Serie A promotion in 2023/24. There could hardly be a more romantic setting from which to get back on track, but the standings leave both sides little time for sentiment. Few would have imagined Fiorentina still without a point after three matches. The ghosts of the 2025/26 campaign are beginning to stir, and a response is needed to prevent a worrying trend from taking hold.
Stroppa also needs signs of progress: Venezia’s comeback at Frosinone was halted by Kvernadze’s late strike, and the Arancioneroverdi now need to tighten up defensively after conceding too many goals.
GENOA VS. FROSINONE (SATURDAY, 15:00 CEST)
Genoa remain at the foot of the table, with an irresistible Como side leaving them without a point at Marassi last Friday. The fixture list has done Daniele De Rossi few favours, and his side now need an immediate response at home to Frosinone. On paper, the Grifone have the quality to turn things around, as their resurgence following De Rossi’s arrival last season demonstrated.
They face a buoyant Frosinone side who already look entirely at home in Serie A. Alvini’s men have won two in a row, sending belief soaring and raising hopes that they could emerge as one of the season’s surprise packages. The Gialloazzurri coach must now channel that enthusiasm carefully to ensure their excellent start does not go to waste.
LAZIO VS. AC MILAN (SATURDAY, 18:00 CEST)
Last season, this fixture dealt the final blow to the Rossoneri’s pursuit of league leaders Inter, in a campaign that ultimately ended without Champions League qualification. Both dugouts have changed hands since then: with Gattuso and Amorim now at the helm, Lazio vs. AC Milan gives both sides the chance to build on their encouraging starts.
The Biancocelesti have exceeded expectations, quickly reaping the rewards of summer signings Guðmundsson and Frattesi. The former Inter midfielder has scored in all three league matches and is becoming increasingly influential in Gattuso’s system. AC Milan, meanwhile, earned a draw away to Juventus after a solid defensive display, although there remains room for improvement in the final third. The Rossoneri are expected to show greater attacking intent at the Olimpico as they pursue all three points, but Lazio have shown they are ready to go toe to toe with them.
ATALANTA VS. CAGLIARI (SATURDAY, 20:45 CEST)
Atalanta’s late defeat to Roma left a bitter taste. Maurizio Sarri’s immediate priority is to keep morale high within the squad, especially given that La Dea’s campaign had been virtually flawless in both the Conference League and Serie A until the 89th minute of Roma vs. Atalanta. The meeting with Cagliari presents several challenges, not least because of the Sardinians’ clear identity. Continuity remains the cornerstone of their project, built on defensive solidity and an ability to capitalise on key moments. The victory over Lecce perfectly illustrated Fabio Pisacane’s philosophy and, although the season is still in its early stages, the results so far offer plenty of encouragement. The contest at the New Balance Arena could go either way.
LECCE VS. MONZA (SUNDAY, 15:00 CEST)
After their opening-day victory away to Venezia, Lecce’s momentum under Di Francesco appears to have stalled. Jurić’s Monza, meanwhile, finally secured their first point of the season at Parma thanks to a goal from highly rated English youngster Robinson, a player well worth keeping an eye on.
An important early-season match in the battle for survival awaits at the Via del Mare, with both sides knowing how valuable three points could prove. The Salentini have struggled for goals, with Gorter and Tiago Gabriel their only scorers so far. Monza made several changes in the closing stages of the transfer window, and their preferred starting line-up is still taking shape.
NAPOLI VS. BOLOGNA (SUNDAY, 18:00 CEST)
The meeting between Allegri’s Napoli and Tedesco’s Bologna carries plenty of weight, with recent results leaving both sides in pressing need of points to avoid losing further ground. There is disappointment at Castel Volturno over the way Napoli let the opportunity to take all three points against Inter at San Siro slip away. Bologna have endured a similarly difficult start. Dovbyk’s late goal rescued a point against Sassuolo, but the Rossoblù are still searching for the result that could kick-start their season.
Both teams need time to absorb their coaches’ ideas, but Allegri and Tedesco know that further setbacks could make the climb towards the top of the table increasingly difficult. In December 2025, the sides met in the Supercoppa Italiana final; this time, both are looking to reignite their campaigns.
SASSUOLO VS. JUVENTUS (SUNDAY, 20:45 CEST)
Sunday’s programme concludes at the Mapei Stadium, where a valuable opportunity awaits both sides. Spalletti’s men avoided their first defeat of the season thanks to Gatti’s late header, with the 1-1 draw against AC Milan providing a platform for Juventus to build on. The Bianconeri continue to contend with a lengthy injury list, while their upcoming Europa League fixture must also be factored into Spalletti’s plans.
Alberto Aquilani is placing his faith in intensity and fearlessness after his side came close to claiming an impressive victory at the Dall’Ara last weekend. The Neroverdi are steadily growing in confidence, blending new arrivals and young talent with the experience of senior figures such as Matić. A special occasion awaits Adžić, who is on loan from Juventus and will be eager to make his mark against his parent club. The Montenegrin found the net against Bologna and will be hoping to do so again on Sunday evening.
COMO VS. PARMA (MONDAY, 18:30 CEST)
The contest at the Sinigaglia is almost a meeting between two sides at opposite ends of the table. Como began their campaign with a draw in Udine that hinted at a few early difficulties, but their subsequent displays against Napoli and Genoa have swept those concerns aside. Fàbregas’s team appear mentally stronger and perhaps even better than last season. The Lariani have shown they can compete with anyone; the next step is to display the consistency expected of a top side.
Cuesta’s Parma, meanwhile, have nothing to lose and are accustomed to adopting a resilient approach against Serie A’s leading teams. The draw with Monza got them off the mark, and taking something from their meeting with Fabregas’s side would give the Ducali a significant confidence boost.
TORINO VS. ROMA (MONDAY, 18:30 CEST)
Both teams arrive on the back of comeback victories, adding further intrigue to the contest. Ignazio Abate secured his first Serie A Enilive win as a coach in the match that ended Fabio Grosso’s Fiorentina tenure. Now comes a sterner test for the Granata as they gauge their progress against one of the league’s strongest sides so far.
Roma were less convincing against Atalanta than during their emphatic wins over Fiorentina and Lecce but still found a way to prevail through their individual quality and the belief that they can overcome any opponent. Torino will be looking to build momentum, while Gasperini must also manage the demands of the Champions League.
INTER VS. UDINESE (MONDAY, 20:45 CEST)
The Nerazzurri must put their Champions League loss to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu behind them and will hope to welcome back Dimarco, who missed the trip to Madrid. Udinese also need to regroup after their home defeat to Lazio stalled their early momentum.
Runjaić’s side won last season’s meeting between the teams at the Meazza, a result that may persuade Chivu to field his strongest available line-up. Inter will be looking to maintain their perfect league record and keep pace at the top, with their rivals showing no signs of easing off.
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