Squads set, transfer window closed: it’s time for Matchday 3
The opening 180 minutes of the new Serie A Enilive season are now in the books, and Matchday 3 is now firmly in view. While the first two weekends delivered plenty of action and talking points, activity in the transfer market saw teams put the final pieces in place through a flurry of late arrivals and departures. With the summer window now closed, coaches head into the next matchday with their squads now finalised and can work without the prospect of imminent exits or further upheaval.
A closer look at the upcoming fixtures suggests the first major shifts could be on the way, with the table beginning to take clearer shape. The six pace-setters on maximum points - an unprecedented number in the three-points-for-a-win era - are keeping a close eye on one another, while the slow starters will hope to capitalise. Meanwhile, the teams bunched together in mid-table face important tests as they look to stay on the right track.
It’s Matchday 3 in Serie A Enilive: time to make the right moves.
GENOA vs. COMO (Friday, 20:45 CEST)
The action gets underway at Marassi with the two sides heading into the game in contrasting moods. Genoa have performed better than their results suggest in the opening two rounds. Although two demanding fixtures against Napoli and Lazio both ended in defeat, the Grifone produced some encouraging football for long spells. The fixture list does not get any easier, and Daniele De Rossi will need a little more courage and concentration from his players at the key moments if they are to stop Como. Genoa’s main concern appears to be their lack of cutting edge in front of goal, with Colombo, Vitinha and Baldanzi all needing to step up.
Fabregas, meanwhile, arrives on the Ligurian coast with the wind in his sails. Como’s 2-1 victory away to Napoli was a major indication that they belong among the division’s early pace-setters. The Ferraris is a difficult place to visit, and Nico Paz and co. will need to reproduce the fearless approach they showed in Naples if they are to avoid getting bogged down.
FIORENTINA vs. TORINO (Saturday, 15:00 CEST)
Both sides have made poor starts, turning this meeting between the Viola and the Granata into an early opportunity to avoid being sucked into a dangerous spiral. Fiorentina responded to their painful defeat to Frosinone with further transfer activity: Guðmundsson and Mandragora departed, while Gnonto, Njie and Pedro Gonçalves arrived to give Fabio Grosso new options. The coach will need time - there is no denying that - but the opportunity to build momentum is already slipping away, making the three points on offer against Torino vital to Fiorentina’s lofty ambitions.
On the opposite side, Ignazio Abate must also contend with elimination from the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa at the hands of Monza, a setback Torino will want to put behind them immediately. The Granata fought until the final whistle against AC Milan, but their defensive shortcomings came to the fore at the Mapei Stadium and led to a second consecutive defeat.
The stakes will be high against Fiorentina, and Torino urgently need to change course to avoid losing further ground.
INTER vs. NAPOLI (Saturday, 18:00 CEST)
The spotlight will be on San Siro for a blockbuster meeting between the two sides that have shared the last four Scudetti. Chivu and Allegri approach the fixture in contrasting moods: the Nerazzurri have two wins from two, despite a nervy finale in Cagliari vs. Inter, while Napoli suffered a setback against a Como side that dominated at the Maradona and exposed several weaknesses in Allegri’s team.
With McTominay ruled out, De Bruyne could be chosen to replace him. The former Manchester City man once again displayed his unique qualities after coming off the bench against Como. Inter, meanwhile, have a wealth of options, with several selection decisions still to be made as Chivu weighs up his starting XI. Victory would allow the Nerazzurri to land a major early blow against one of their direct rivals.
ROMA vs. ATALANTA (Saturday, 20:45 CEST)
A long Saturday of heavyweight encounters concludes at the Olimpico. Level at the top of the table on six points, Roma and Atalanta know exactly how important this fixture is. Gasperini once again faces the club where he enjoyed so much success, while taking great satisfaction from the superb form of his cohesive, confident side. The Giallorossi have scored four in each of their opening two matches, with Malen racing clear at the top of the scoring charts and Dybala’s elegance shaping their attacking play.
Roma have looked unstoppable so far, but Atalanta possess the quality and organisation to rise to the challenge. Sarri has prepared his side to compete on two fronts - Serie A and the Conference League - rotating his players with customary expertise. These encounters often take on a life of their own, and a statement performance here would give either side even greater belief in their abilities.
FROSINONE vs. VENEZIA (Sunday, 15:00 CEST)
Sunday afternoon brings a series of early relegation battles. Morale is high among the Giallazzurri after they stunned Fiorentina in emphatic fashion last week. In truth, Frosinone had already shown encouraging signs in their opening match against Juventus, particularly during a spirited late push in which luck was not on their side. The 3-0 victory at the Franchi bordered on the heroic, but the reality of the battle ahead remains, and adding to their tally against a direct rival would offer some welcome breathing space.
Venezia have endured a difficult start and must quickly put their defeat to AC Milan at the Meazza behind them while looking to integrate new arrivals Mazzocchi, Toni Fernández and Juan Jesus. Stroppa’s side are yet to get off the mark, and this meeting between the two newly promoted teams could provide a clear indication of where the Lagunari currently stand.
PARMA vs. MONZA (Sunday, 15:00 CEST)
Frosinone vs. Venezia at the Stirpe, Parma vs. Monza at the Tardini. The pairings evoke a bygone era, conjuring images of fans with radios in hand waiting eagerly for score updates. That brief wave of nostalgia soon gives way to the reality of the standings, with neither side able to afford falling behind - least of all Parma and Monza.
Near the foot of the table, Cuesta and Jurić need their work from the opening weeks to start bearing fruit. While the Monza coach guided his side through in the cup, his Parma counterpart must put the second-round defeat to Cremonese behind him. Serie A Enilive now takes centre stage, and Sunday’s clash in Emilia will test both teams’ nerve and ability to handle the pressure. The line between opportunity and risk could hardly be finer.
BOLOGNA vs. SASSUOLO (Sunday, 18:00 CEST)
Around 44 kilometres separate Bologna and Sassuolo as the crow flies. In the standings, meanwhile, Aquilani’s side are three points clear of Tedesco’s. The Neroverdi reshuffled their squad during the final week of the transfer window, culminating in the arrival of Sebastiano Esposito at the Mapei Stadium. The forward is a valuable addition who will provide the former Catanzaro coach with greater variety in attack. Sassuolo responded in excellent fashion against Torino and now head to the Dall’Ara with renewed confidence.
The Rossoblù have also reshaped their squad, with Rowe departing for Bergamo and deals completed for Mbangula and Theate**. Tedesco is looking to rekindle the sense of excitement around the club, a hallmark of Bologna in recent seasons.
JUVENTUS vs. AC MILAN (Sunday, 20:45 CEST)
The stakes are high in Turin. Two perfect records and a major test of credentials are at the heart of this meeting between the Old Lady and the Rossoneri. Juventus ended the transfer window with the headline signings of Woltemade and Sarr, while AC Milan bid farewell to Leão, fully embracing the new direction set by Amorim.
The tactical battle could prompt Spalletti to make adjustments following the subdued first-half display against Parma. After the break, the Bianconeri showed their hunger - particularly through Nico González - and ultimately earned a deserved 2-0 victory. The Rossoneri won by the same scoreline in their Friday night fixture against Venezia, with substitutions once again proving decisive.
It remains to be seen whether the two coaches will keep something in reserve for the second half, perhaps each trying to anticipate the other’s moves. A thrilling evening awaits at the Stadium: a place at the summit beckons, along with the first opportunity to pull clear.
CAGLIARI vs. LECCE (Monday, 18:30 CEST)
Monday’s action gets underway at the Unipol Domus. Pisacane’s side are at home for the second match running, having earned plenty of praise for their performance against Inter. That creditable defeat must now be put behind them as the Sardinians turn their full attention to beating Lecce. This promises to be a contest featuring plenty of players who know how to hold their nerve in this type of hard-fought contest.
For Di Francesco, it represents another test of resolve after Lecce came off second best in a difficult home defeat to Roma. It remains to be seen whether the Salentini will revert to a back four or persist with a three-man defence, given that Tiago Gabriel remains part of the squad. Cagliari and Lecce share the same objective: to show signs of improvement without dropping valuable points.
UDINESE vs. LAZIO (Monday, 20:45 CEST)
There is nothing routine about the fixture that will bring Serie A Matchday 3 to a close. Sitting among the early pace-setters, both sides have an opportunity to make another statement in the final game of the round. The physicality of Runjaić’s side will come up against the well-drilled organisation of Gattuso’s team.
Guðmundsson’s arrival at Formello could give the Biancocelesti coach scope to make tactical adjustments further down the line. For now, however, Lazio have impressed in their victories over Bologna and Genoa, making any immediate change of system unlikely. The same applies to Udinese: even without Zaniolo, who was sidelined against Monza, they maintained their level of performance and showed the determination to secure a result under pressure. The road towards loftier ambitions is still long, but Udinese and Lazio have both set off with purpose and conviction.
(Photo Getty images)