It may only been the second round of fixtures, but the big games are still coming thick and fast in Serie A.
Week 2 sees Carlo Ancelotti renew acquaintances with Milan, Lazio travel north to face Juventus and Inter looking to bounce back against Torino.
Here’s what to look out for this weekend.
It may only been the second round of fixtures, but the big games are still coming thick and fast in Serie A.
Week 2 sees Carlo Ancelotti renew acquaintances with Milan, Lazio travel north to face Juventus and Inter looking to bounce back against Torino.
Here’s what to look out for this weekend.
Ronaldo’s home debut
If a trip to the Bentegodi to face Chievo wasn’t quite the glamorous start to life in Serie A that Cristiano Ronaldo might have hoped for, Saturday evening’s clash with Lazio seems a far more befitting stage.
CR7 will make his home debut at a packed Allianz Stadium in one of the standout ties of the weekend.
It’s a big one too, as Lazio won this fixture last season thanks to Paulo Dybala’s missed penalty.
The Biancocelesti are looking to bounce back after their opening day defeat to Napoli, and are looking for only an 11th win against the Old Lady in Turin.
They’ll be looking to avoid a repeat of last season’s frantic finish though, as there’s this Portuguese bloke who’s quite good with high pressure penalties…
Click here to read our Juventus-Lazio preview
Carletto’s Milan reunion
It’s a strange quirk of fate that Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t faced Milan in a competitive game since leaving in 2009.
Even taking into account the Rossoneri’s recent struggles, it’s a surprise he never encountered his former side at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
He’ll get his chance to renew acquaintances on Saturday night though, with the familiar face of Rino Gattuso in the opposite dugout.
After their game with Genoa was postponed this represent’s Milan’s season debut, while Napoli are looking to build on a good result against Lazio.
Pepe Reina will also be returning to the San Paolo for the first time, while Neapolitan hate figure Gonzalo Higuain should make his Diavolo debut.
It’ll be all hugs and smiles before kick-off, but expect a fiery contest once the whistle blows.
Click here to read our Napoli-Milan preview
Can Inter get back on track?
There was a lot of expectation surrounding Inter before their debut against Sassuolo last weekend, but Luciano Spalletti’s men fell to a shock defeat.
A summer transfer campaign which saw the likes of Stefan de Vrij, Radja Nainggolan and Keita Baldé Diao arrive raised expectations, and the pressure will be on at San Siro on Sunday night.
It’s not an easy fixture for the Nerazzurri either, as Torino have spent big this summer and have designs on the Europa League.
Any calcio fan can tell you how quickly things can spiral at Inter, and another negative result would nudge the pressure gauge just that little bit higher.
Click here to read our Inter-Torino preview
Genoa return to action
Genoa and Sampdoria’s matches were understandably postponed last week, after the bridge collapse in the city which killed 43 people.
Sampdoria are away at Udinese this weekend, while the Grifone welcome Udinese to Marassi.
It’s sure to be an emotional occasion, where whatever happens on the pitch will be put into stark contrast.
Click here to read our Genoa-Empoli preview
Monday test for Roma
The final fixture of the weekend is on Monday night, and it’s a big one.
Atalanta were on Europa League duty on Thursday night, so they travel to the capital on Monday to take on Roma.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s side are looking to win something this season, and despite their heroic Champions League run last season the Scudetto looks the most realistic target.
A home tie against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, who have finished in the Europa League places in the past two seasons, will tell us a lot about where the Lupi are.
Click here to read our Roma-Atalanta preview