Incredible Serie A: in the most unpredictable start to the season in recent years, there’s room for the surprising victory of Cesc Fabregas’s Como against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta on their home turf. After a fleeting advantage by Davide Zappacosta in the 18th minute, Atalanta failed to secure the match in the first half and unexpectedly collapsed in the second half. A significant gap between the lines and a frantic pace led to too many lost balls, allowing Como to capitalize on open-counterattack opportunities that proved fatal for the home team.
The visitors turned the match around with three goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half, conceding Atalanta’s second goal—a penalty that ultimately had no impact—only at the 98th minute, just before the final whistle. This marks yet another surprising result in the start of Serie A, where all the big teams have stumbled at least once in the first five matchdays of the league.
In terms of standings, Napoli suffered a heavy defeat in their opener against Verona, losing 3-0. Juventus unexpectedly managed a 0-0 draw away against Empoli, sandwiched between two identical results against Roma and Napoli. Inter, before their disastrous derby loss where they were favored on paper, had already dropped points with unexpected draws away against Genoa and Monza.
Milan began their season with a series of disappointing results: a home draw against Torino, a shocking loss to Parma, and another draw away against Lazio, conceding six goals in three matches before tightening up their defense and returning to winning ways against Venezia and Inter. Roma has already dropped points away against Cagliari and Genoa and even suffered a home defeat to Empoli. Lastly, Atalanta, with one blow last night, missed the chance to catch up to fourth place and recorded their second unexpected loss after the defeat at home against Torino.
Given this analysis, it’s not too surprising to see that, after five matchdays, the top five in the standings includes three outsiders: Torino at the top, Udinese, and Empoli. We are only at the beginning of the season, but if this trend continues, Serie A could compete for the title of the craziest league in the world.
