With the conclusion of the midweek matches on Thursday night, featuring Roma vs. Torino and Como vs. Lazio, the tenth round of Serie A has wrapped up. This round proved advantageous for the top five teams, with the exception of Juventus, under the management of Motta, who continues to be the unpredictable element of the championship. Remarkably, the Bianconeri have drawn six of their ten matches, which explains their sixth-place standing despite being the only unbeaten team in the league. The last two consecutive draws should be a cause for concern; while the thrilling 4-4 comeback against Inter was celebrated, the 2-2 draw at home against Parma feels more like a loss. The team’s defensive solidity has noticeably weakened, conceding six goals in the last 180 minutes, a stark contrast to the single goal allowed in the first eight matches. This decline can partly be attributed to the injury of defensive leader Bremer, who will be sidelined for several months. Motta must quickly find effective strategies, as conceding so many goals will jeopardize any title ambitions.
Following their victory against Milan, Antonio Conte’s Napoli has seen their title chances greatly increase, with the coach openly acknowledging the competition for the championship. Napoli plays a straightforward yet effective game, exhibiting both structured play and individual creativity. The summer transfer market has significantly bolstered their squad, with Lukaku proving to be a reliable asset, McTominay dominating the midfield, and Neres adding depth from the bench. The only team that appears equipped, on paper, to challenge Napoli for the title is Inzaghi’s Inter, the reigning champions. Therefore, the upcoming clash between Inter and Napoli at San Siro promises to be one of the season’s most significant encounters.
The situations for Milan and Roma present a different narrative. Milan, under Fonseca, has yet to find a convincing rhythm, and the connection between the coach and the team has not flourished, despite a recent derby win that temporarily eased pressure on him. The home defeat to Napoli, although occurring during a period of injuries and suspensions, highlighted a significant gap in organization and confidence. Roma, on the other hand, is experiencing a more severe crisis; the dismissal of De Rossi after just four matches has created turmoil and raised alarming questions about the club’s direction. Juric has struggled to gain the support of fans, still reeling from the departures of both De Rossi and José Mourinho, who was dismissed in January due to conflicts with ownership rather than poor performance. Last night’s narrow win over Torino did little to rekindle ambitions for a title challenge, instead only distancing the team from relegation concerns. While Roma is unlikely to drop to Serie B, the risk of enduring a mediocre season, lingering in a state of uncertainty, remains high.
