Just when things were beginning to get interesting in Calcio, the international break ruined it all (yet again). But at least we got to enjoy another entertaining weekend in Italian football, including the Derby della Mole, tough tests for Inter and Napoli, and a big clash at Bergamo between Atalanta and Milan. So here are our Top 5 Stories for Serie A Round 7.
Two Rossoblus in Trouble
Seven matches, two different managers and zero wins. These are the numbers behind Cagliari’s abysmal start to the season.
The Isolani were expected to finally earn their first Serie A win of the season when they hosted the newly-promoted Venezia in round 7, but their visitors shocked Walter Mazzari with an injury time equalizer, as the veteran tactician has thus far failed to improve the situation in Sardinia since taking over from Leonardo Semplici.
But Cagliari aren’t the only red and blue side that is suffering early in the campaign, as Genoa conceded another defeat, this time giving Salernitana their first league since since their promotion.
However, this isn’t the first time that the two Rossoblu sides start their campaign on the wrong foot (with last season making a prime example), and it remains early days for two clubs who are used to miraculous escapes late in the season.
Congratulations to Salernitana. The victory over Genoa today is the their first win in Serie A calcio for 22 years. pic.twitter.com/BlrRfuMKRz
— David Ferrini (@davidferrini_) October 2, 2021
Clean Sheet at Last
Juventus earning a clean sheet shouldn’t exactly be a breaking news to anyone who follows Italian football. But after conceding goals in their last 20 Serie A matches, winning the Turin derby in a 1-0 result felt like an achievement for the Old Lady.
Of course Manuel Locatelli stole all the highlights with his late goal, but the improvement witnessed in defense will be the solid foundation that Massimiliano Allegri can start building upon for another successful stint in the black and white side of the city.
Manuel Locatelli Waxes Lyrical About Juventus’ Derby Win https://t.co/0oRR9t1aMl pic.twitter.com/5i0DBqbkQU
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) October 3, 2021
He Still Got It
Sassuolo may be struggling this season, but they’re still fun to watch – especially with their impressive attacking ranks. The Neroverdi took the lead against Inter and had the reigning champions in all sorts of trouble during the first half.
Nonetheless, the Nerazzurri were spared the blushes thanks to crafty veteran. Edin Dzeko is no longer a spring chicken, but he remains one of the deadliest strikers in Serie A, and the fact that he’s on the top of the scoring charts after round 7 is a clear proof on the matter.
The Bosnian scored a timely equalizer after the break, before expertly winning a spot kick that was converted by Lautaro Martinez. He might be a short-term solution, but he’s definitely a good one.
Updated Post: Inter vs Sassuolo 2-1 – Dzeko’s Second Half Overwhelms Sassuolo https://t.co/EyanRPcEoI pic.twitter.com/ImtSXaclh8
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) October 3, 2021
Mayhem at the Marassi
It feels that every Serie A weekend presents us with at least one chaotic encounter, and on round 7, it was the Luigi Ferraris Stadium that hosted the mad affair.
The clash between Sampdoria and Udinese was far from being a technical masterpiece. Besides Antonio Candreva’s goal of the season contender (seriously, you should check this one), the goals were mostly clumsy, with VAR reviewing two of the Zebrette’s goals.
But with six goals shared between the two sides, and both of them taking the lead before failing to protect it, this was the type of mayhem that Calcio fans can surely appreciate.
More of this, please!
5 – The fixture between Sampdoria and Udinese have ended with a score of 3-3 the most times in the Serie A history (five). Balance.#SampdoriaUdinese pic.twitter.com/xnSQrSnywk
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) October 3, 2021
Milan Kill their Bogeyman
In the last few season, Milan’s woes were growing, as their fans had to suffer watching a provincial side from a less-glamorous neighboring city hammering the Lombardy overlords – with one match in particular ending 5-0.
Surely Franck Kessié led the Rossoneri to a last-day victory over Atalanta last season, but La Dea didn’t have much to play for back then.
But this weekend, Gian Piero Gasperini was left with no excuses, as Sandro Tonali and company outplayed his men for the majority of the match, despite giving away two goals at the end of the match.
After killing their bogeyman, Milan players surely earned themselves a huge moral boost, as their Scudetto credentials can no longer be hidden.
Atalanta vs Milan 2-3: Nerazzurri Storm Back After Going Down by Three https://t.co/LWW3S3oujW pic.twitter.com/kz7AKVf4rC
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) October 4, 2021