From Sassuolo’s action-packed home loss to Hellas Verona to Inter’s blunt draw at Atalanta, Sunday’s Serie A action delivered a mixed bag of performances. Let’s take a look at the three talking points.
#1 Mapei Stadium Lived Up to Expectations
Despite Sassuolo’s 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Hellas Verona, another ‘goal-friendly’ fixture at the Mapei Stadium served to kick off Sunday’s Serie A action.
The Mapei Stadium fulfiled its reputation as a venue of entertainment, even though Igor Tudor’s men gained revenge on the Neroverdi following a 3-2 home reverse on the opening matchday of the season.
Gianluca Caprari and Antonin Barak fired Verona into a comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time before Gianluca Scamacca pulled one back for the hosts with an acrobatic finish nine minutes into the second half.
Though second-half substitute Gregoire Defrel scored another goal for Alessio Dionisi’s side, Barak’s second-half brace completed his first-ever hat-trick in Serie A and sealed Verona’s clear-cut win.
As a result, eight of Sassuolo’s last nine Serie A home matches have now featured over 2.5 goals, highlighting the Mapei Stadium as one of the most exciting venues in Italy.
#2 Nani – Class is Permanent
Former Manchester United star winger Nani took no prisoners upon his return to Europe from the Major League Soccer franchise Orlando City.
The 35-year-old signed an 18-month contract at Venezia on Friday following two-and-a-half years in the MLS.
Only a minute into his Serie A debut for the Lagunari, he delivered a delightful assist to David Okereke for his new side’s equalising goal versus fellow promoted rivals Empoli.
Szymon Zurkowski handed the Azzurri a 1-0 half-time advantage at the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo. However, Nani inspired Venezia’s second-half comeback, helping his team snap a run of two successive Serie A defeats.
Despite entering the autumn of his playing career, the Portuguese ace could be a catalyst to bolster Venezia’s bid to avoid relegation this season.
#3 Atalanta Handed Milan Title Hopes Massive Boost
Atalanta held high-flying Inter to a disappointing goalless draw at the Gewiss Stadium, giving Milan a golden opportunity to return to the Serie A summit.
Coming into this matchday, Simone Inzaghi’s men were on an intimidating eight-game winning streak in Italy’s top-flight.
There was a feeling Gian Piero Gasperini’s men could do little to keep the league’s most prolific attack at bay, especially given their recent tumultuous form.
However, Luis Muriel and co once again gave one of Serie A’s top dogs a run for their money, as a determined display held Inter goalless for the first time this season.
The reigning Italian champions were off-colour in Bergamo, though it’s worth noting that Edin Dzeko’s inexplicable misses could have changed the perspective at full-time.
If Milan defeat relegation-threatened Spezia at the San Siro in Monday’s seemingly straightforward Serie A task, they will regain control at the summit.