The Calcio gods have been spoiling us in the last seven days. From Friday till Thursday, not a single day had passed without at least one Serie A fixture. Perhaps, they’re trying to make up for the lack of excitement during another maligned international break. Anyway, this was a round of many firsts. In fact it was the first midweek matchday of the season, and Salernitana earned their first point of the campaign. Oh, and even Juventus got their first win (imagine that!). So let’s recap the action with the Top 5 Stories from Serie A Round 5.
Inter Still Got It
Prior to the start of the season, the main question revolving around Inter was how much is truly left from the side that bullied its way towards the Scudetto last season.
Now surely Simone Inzaghi’s version has thus far displayed some differences from the one we’ve seen with Antonio Conte, but on the other hand, the winning mentality has apparently survived the change in personnel.
In round 5, the Nerazzurri were hosted by Fiorentina (who have been one of the most improving Serie A sides this season). In the first half, the Viola dominated the champions in a sight that we rarely saw during Conte’s reign.
However, Inzaghi’s men were unfazed by the outcome of the first 45 minutes, displaying their strong character in the second half, turning the table on their hosts, proving that they still got what it takes to go all the way to the finish line.
Fiorentina vs Inter 1-2: https://t.co/WgOBeYAA9L pic.twitter.com/j48xUZYvAM
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) September 22, 2021
A Win at Last!
Juventus won a football match at Spezia. Now the fact that such event is being reported as a headline tells you all you need to know about the Old Lady’s miserable start to the season.
In fact, Max Allegri’s men had to suffer before earning their long-awaited first Serie A win of the season, as their hosts managed to take a 2-1 lead at the start of the second half.
Luckily for the Bianconeri, they were bailed out by their two young stars – Federico Chiesa and Matthijs de Ligt – but now it’s time to prove that this unimpressive victory is just the beginning of a winning run that would lift the club from their abysmal state in the table.
Updated Post: Spezia vs Juventus 2-3 – De Ligt Gives Juve First Win https://t.co/hX3bU0VMs9 pic.twitter.com/7agyxW6XpB
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) September 23, 2021
The Southern Terror
Last season, we said on several occasions that Napoli might just be the most terrifying side in the country. However, the lack of consistency during Gennaro Gattuso’s reign costed the Partenopei a place amongst the elite.
Nonetheless, the southerners have been simply flawless under Luciano Spalletti so far, brushing aside one Serie A opponent after another, with Sampdoria being their last victims, sacking the Ligurian club with four unanswered goals in round 5.
Napoli currently sit at the top of the table with a perfect record, and even though we can’t be sure if it would last, but on thing is clear; Everyone must be petrified from the southern threat.
Napoli are 5/5 in Serie A for the third time in their club HISTORY. ??
▪️ 1987/88
▪️ 2017/18
▪️ 2021/22? stat via Opta pic.twitter.com/O2Fzd8U4N3
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) September 23, 2021
The Brothers Share the Spoils
For one reason or another, everyone loves a good old brotherly battle. On Thursday night, Torino hosted Lazio, with each side possessing one half of the Milinkovic-Savic duo. Vanja started in goal for the Granata, while Sergej entered as a second half substitute for the capital club.
At the end of the day, the Biancocelesti managed to escape with a point thanks to Ciro Immobile’s equalizer from the spot, with neither brother leaving the pitch empty-handed. Perhaps the score will be settled in their next meeting.
"The team worked hard and taking small steps forward. We can't erase habits from during 4-5 years in barely 2 months. The defensive concepts are going well but individual errors are bringing us down. There's so much room for improvement."
Giovanni Martusciello ? #Lazio pic.twitter.com/7mah8XCbLN
— LazioLand (@Lazio_Land) September 23, 2021
Mad About Tammy
There’s something about Tammy Abraham, and it’s not just the fact that he scores winners in cagey affairs. Since his landing in the Eternal City, the Englishman has become an adopted son of Rome, forming a special bond with the Giallorossi crowd.
On Sunday, the striker was filmed apologizing for the traveling fans following the team’s defeat at Verona, with the supporters applauding him in return.
In round 5, the Chelsea youth product scored the only goal of the match against Udinese, and he was the last Roma player to leave the pitch, as he saluted the fans in all angles of the stadium.
We could be witnessing the beginning of a special love affair.
LET'S GO!!! ?
#ASRoma #RomaUdinese pic.twitter.com/apXd1DO2Ri— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) September 23, 2021