With less than ten days before the summer window closes, Italy’s top clubs approach the start still facing too many uncertainties.
Reigning champions Napoli will get the ball rolling in the new Serie A, which begins with significant refereeing innovations: match officials will now address the public to explain VAR reviews, and in cases of time-wasting by goalkeepers (who cannot hold the ball in their hands for more than eight seconds), a corner kick will be awarded to the opposition. Meanwhile, in Serie C, experiments continue with “call-up VAR.”
Napoli’s opener, today at 6:30 p.m. in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo, comes with a tactical dilemma. Antonio Conte is weighing whether to start with a 4-3-3 or a 4-1-4-1, but with Lukaku injured, it will fall to Lorenzo Lucca to lead the line. Lobotka, McTominay, and De Bruyne are untouchable in midfield, but the real coup could come from the market: Napoli have Manchester United’s green light for a paid loan deal for Rasmus Hojlund, and are now working to convince the Danish striker with a net salary of €4.5 million. He would be the man to lock down the Scudetto and push for a starring role in the Champions League.
Later today, at 8:45 p.m. at San Siro, Milan host Cremonese with many question marks. Rafa Leao is unavailable, so Gimenez will start up front, with Modric immediately in the midfield lineup. But all eyes are on Victor Boniface: the new Nigerian striker underwent a real marathon of medical tests yesterday, with repeated exams to check the condition of his ligaments and muscle fibers. A shadow that worries management and could impact the final days of the Rossoneri’s market, possibly prompting sporting director Tare to turn to alternative targets.
Also at 8:45 p.m. today, at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma begin their new era against Bologna, with Dybala still not fully fit and Pellegrini seemingly on his way out. In yesterday’s press conference, Gasperini effectively gave the captain his send-off: “His situation is clear: it’s evident the club does not intend to extend his contract, and he needs to play if he wants to make the national team and achieve his goals. If he finds the right situation and wants to leave, the club is fine with it.”
The Roma coach is asking for reinforcements, but the transfer window has yet to take off. Sancho remains the top attacking target, but he has not given the go-ahead, viewing Roma as more of a “second choice.” Meanwhile, Dovbyk has never convinced Gasperini and is officially on the market, along with other surplus players awaiting a destination. After tonight’s match at the Olimpico, the season will head into its decisive final days of negotiations: Roma could become the league’s wild card, ready to change face midstream.
Juventus will debut tomorrow at 8:45 p.m. in Turin against Parma: Jonathan David will start immediately, while Joao Mario competes with Nico Gonzalez for a spot. But the real issue is still the center forward. Juventus have not closed a deal for Kolo Muani: PSG have raised the asking price to €70 million, and the Bianconeri are looking elsewhere, with Openda and Nkunku in the background. It’s a race against time to give Tudor the striker needed to complete his attack.
Lazio open away to Como on Sunday at 8:45 p.m., essentially with the same squad as last season due to the market freeze imposed by liquidity index rules, and without Romagnoli. Not exactly the ideal situation for Sarri, returning to the Biancoceleste bench after a sabbatical year.
Also on Sunday, Ivan Juric will make his debut with Atalanta, tasked with replacing the “miracle man” Gian Piero Gasperini on the bench. La Dea are waiting for Lookman’s return while working to get Ederson and De Ketelaere back to peak condition.
Inter will close out the first Serie A weekend by hosting Torino on Monday night, a match that will test the Nerazzurri’s form after a turbulent summer.
The season begins under a cloud of doubts for everyone, but experience teaches that the points up for grabs in these opening matches can prove decisive at the end of the season for clubs’ objectives. Between the pitch and the transfer market, the top teams are playing for a lot right away.
The full schedule of Serie A’s opening weekend:
Saturday, August 23
• 6:30 p.m.: Sassuolo vs. Napoli [referee Ayroldi]
• 6:30 p.m.: Genoa vs. Lecce [referee Massa]
• 8:45 p.m.: Roma vs. Bologna [referee Zufferli]
• 8:45 p.m.: Milan vs. Cremonese [referee Collu]
Sunday, August 24
• 6:30 p.m.: Como vs. Lazio [referee Manganiello]
• 6:30 p.m.: Cagliari vs. Fiorentina [referee Sozza]
• 8:45 p.m.: Juventus vs. Parma [referee Marcenaro]
• 8:45 p.m.: Atalanta vs. Pisa [referee Arena]
Monday, August 25
• 6:30 p.m.: Udinese vs. Verona [referee Tremolada]
• 8:45 p.m.: Inter vs. Torino [referee La Penna]
L’articolo Serie A kicks off again, caught between on-field questions and the transfer market’s last twists proviene da Soccer Made In Italy.
