European football roundup: A preview of this weekend's games

Inter Milan v Juventus, Saturday 1700

Inter Milan are very much a club in the midst of huge change at the moment. The owner, Massimo Moratti, looks likely to sell his controlling stake in the club after over two decades in charge, to an Asian businessman. They also appointed ex-Napoli manager Walter Mazzari this summer after Andrea Strammacioni was relieved of his position. This could be seen as slightly unfortunate for Strammacioni after a huge injury list crippled his side at times last season, but Mazzari is a great appointment.

He has improved every club he has managed and turned Napoli into serious league title contenders in three seasons. The raw materials at Inter are not bad, and with two wins from two and no goals conceded, he has hit the ground running. I think they may well represent value early on after a few seasons of underachievement. No European football should actually aid their league form too.

Juventus have emerged from their match-fixing enforced relegation to Serie B to become the best side in Italy by miles over the last two seasons. Whilst Antonio Conte can sometimes be a very conservative manager, he can’t be faulted in how he has improved the side. Italy was seen as on a very steep downward curve in their standing in European football before Juventus restored respect.

Whilst they don’t have the players to blow a good side away, no team will get past them without a hard match. They are strong throughout the side and have once again added more class players to the squad like Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente in attack. In Paul Pogba, they also probably have the best young central midfielder in world football. This being said, Conte has always been happy to leave tough away matches with a draw and I think Juve are a little short to win this.

Napoli v Atalanta, Saturday 1945

The only side that have really challenged Juve’s domination of Serie A in the last two seasons are Napoli. After a summer where Walter Mazzari was replaced by Rafa Benitez as manager and Edinson Cavani left for Paris St Germain, they have started like a rocket. The money brought in by Cavani’s sale allowed Benitez to bring in Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon, Pepe Reina, Raul Albiol and Dries Mertens to add to an already very talented squad.

With two wins from two and seven goals scored (four by Marek Hamsik), they sit top of Serie A at this very early stage. Hamsik in particular looks to be benefiting from a more advanced role under Benitez and should be the key man for the side. He’s always had immense talent, but finally looks like he will fulfil his promise. If Juventus are not focussed or firing on all cylinders, then this could well finally be Napoli’s year in Serie A.

Atalanta are something of a mainstay in Serie A now. They usually have a very good home record which keeps them away from serious trouble, but nowhere near European football either. This is no bad thing for a side that spends very little money on new players. Last season, they were beaten in 11 of 19 matches away from home and I see little reason why this would particularly improve. They have started the season with a win at home and a loss away and will not be looking forward to this trip to a side who are currently looking very impressive.