The second weekend of the calcio season almost felt like sequel for its predecessor. Roma and Lazio are growing from strength to strength, while Milan and Inter also won again. On the other hand, Juventus have arguably hit rock bottom with a shocking display at home one day after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. So let’s check out the Top 5 Stories from Serie A round 2.
The Champions’ Character
Despite all the fuss made from the departures of their charismatic manager alongside two star players, it mustn’t be forgotten that Inter are still proudly sponsoring the Scudetto crest on their chests.
The departures of Antonio Conte, Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi could undoubtedly return to hunt the Nerazzurri at some point. Nevertheless, Simone Inzaghi’s men are currently playing with the confidence of the champions.
The Beneamata found themselves trailing early on against Verona following a howler from their captain Samir Handanovic, and yet, a strong second half performance brought them three goals and another three points.
Oh, and Joaquin Correa’s stunning debut undoubtedly helped.
Hellas Verona – Inter Player Ratings: Argentine Comeback https://t.co/CkNfPTzftn pic.twitter.com/rF8U0WseBV
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) August 28, 2021
Sarriball Officially Back?
Maybe we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves but Maurizio Sarri’s special brand of football – famously known as “Sarriball” or “Sarrismo” might be back on display.
The chain-smoking manager failed to deliver the excitement during his last two stints at Chelsea and Juventus, but with 10 goals in his first 2 matches at Lazio, we’re seeing flashes of his old tactical masterpiece at Napoli.
The Biancocelesti are yet to meet a defensively rigid team that can frustrate them, but their thrilling round 2 performance against Spezia sends a terrifying threat for the rest of the Serie A big boys.
#LuisAlberto has completed a hat-trick in assist for the first time in his career. The magician joined #Lazio in 2016, scoring 36 goals and providing 51 assists in 177 appearances across all competitions for the Biancocelesti.#LazioSpezia #SerieATIM #Football pic.twitter.com/X3OLtd5ENg
— The Counter Attack (@TheCounterAtta3) August 29, 2021
Max Still Charging the Batteries
Well, Massimiliano Allegri’s official return to the Allianz Stadium surely didn’t go according to plan, with Juventus left shell-shocked by Empoli following an abysmal performance on their home turf.
Whilst several Bianconeri players let down their returning manager with their spineless displays, the tactician completely fumbled his starting formation, opting for a too-cautious 4-4-2 diamond with four central midfielders who lack vision and creativity.
Things should definitely get better for the Old Lady – they surely can’t get worse anyway according to the Serie A table – but Max himself needs to find his A game during these particularly crucial post-Ronaldo days.
Juventus – Empoli Player Ratings: Mancuso Shocks the Old Lady https://t.co/8qFrFdCkTD pic.twitter.com/kHDxgzWUGN
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) August 29, 2021
The Entertaining One?
In last week’s edition, we mentioned how Roma will forever stay Roma, and that this club always tends to provide the Serie A audience with an entertaining brand of football, and their round 2 routing of Salernitana surely came to confirm this notion.
But what about their new manager José Mourinho, who once famously “parked the bus” during Inter’s legendary clash against Barcelona at the Camp Nou?
Well, perhaps sickened with his old and rigid ways that no longer bore him the desired results, the Special One appears to be enjoying the mood in the Italian capital, and was surely amused by his side’s one-touch-football prior to the second goal.
Just imagine if Mourinho’s name ends up being linked with Roma’s beautiful style in a shocking twist of fate.
Watch out Sarriball!
Four games, four wins for Roma under José Mourinho. ?
How will the Giallorossi get on this season? ??#UECL pic.twitter.com/2pWDxUyFpm
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) August 29, 2021
Giroud Has Landed in San Siro
Whilst Zlatan Ibrahimovic was enjoying the action from pitch-side with the undoubtedly thrilling company of Franck Kessié, Olivier Giroud was announcing his arrival to the San Siro crowd with a dominant performance.
The 2018 World Cup winner scored Milan’s third goal against Cagliari with a nice first-time strike before adding another one from the spot. Whilst most of Stefano Pioli’s men put on impressive performances – especially during the first half – the Frenchman appears to be relishing his role as the leader of the attack.
Once Zlatan returns to full fitness we can all expect him to regain his spot without even having to ask, but for the manager and the players, Giroud’s generous displays would surely be missed once he gets dropped from the starting lineup.
Olivier Giroud has scored twice in a league game for the first time since April 2018 against Southampton.
Off the mark in Milan with a brace. ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/zkvOKk8nXe
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 29, 2021