The second round of fixtures of the 2016/17 Serie A season was typically full of talking points, with plenty of amazing goals, downright madness resulting in red cards and penalties, all against of the backdrop of frenzied transfer dealings as deadline day approaches.
Roma have been knocked off their perch atop the table, with Genoa taking their place – reminding us that its still early doors in the Serie A season. Juventus and Sampdoria are the only other sides with perfect records, with Atalanta, Crotone and Empoli yet to get off the mark in the table, consigning them to the bottom.
Here are five things we learnt from an action-packed matchday of Serie A.
1) Kevin Strootman's goal was a heartwarming story amidst Roma's self-destruction
Leading 2-0 away to Cagliari at half-time, Roma loooked every inch the title contenders many have predicted they could be this season. Kevin Strootman was bossing the midfield, reminding us that for all his injury troubles, he remains one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Serie A, and possibly Europe, when fit.
His well-taken volley after a brilliant layoff from Dzeko was the high-point of the weekend for Giallorossi fans, only for familiar failings in defence to undo their good work. Some absolutely comical defending from the Romans allowed Cagliari to come back into the game courtesy of Marco Borriello and Marco Sau.
The lack of communication in defence was rather apparent, but since the players involved are still forming an understanding, perhaps Roma fans would do well to be patient, much as they have been with Strootman, only to now reap the rewards.
2) Torino will face a huge battle to keep Belotti
There are plenty of English eyeballs waking up to the fact that Torino are one of the greatest clubs in Italy, thanks to Joe Hart’s move from Manchester City, coupled with UK newspapers farcically describing Torino as ‘minnows’. To thrill Mancunians with a newfound soft-spot for Il Toro, the bulls gored Bologna 5-1, courtesy of a first career hat-trick from Andrea Belotti.
The 22-year-old continued his great start to the season with a typically virtuoso display, with some smart positioning and finishing taking his goal tally to 4 goals for the season. ’Gallo’ can perform his rooster-inspired celebration in Italian colours now, with Azzurri boss Giampiero Ventura giving him a deserving call up.
Torino are blessed with young talent throughout the squad and under the guidance of Sinisa Mihajlovic could even challenge for the Champions League spots, especially given the Milanese clubs struggles so far. However, their success could backfire, as the world wakes up to Belotti’s status as the best Italian striker currently.
Expect a massive bid in January.
3) Sami Khedira is the biggest beneficiary of Pogba's departure from Juventus
Juventus profited with a massive 100 million fee from Paul Pogba’s departure, leaving a rather big hole in Juventus’ midfield. Massimiliano Allegri has rejigged the Juve midfield for now, with Kwadwo Asamoah and Mario Lemina partnering Sami Khedira in a three-man midfield.
Much like Juventus’ first game, Khedira thrived in the gaps left by Mandzukic and Dybala, making late runs to be found by the creators in Juventus’ side. While Pogba thrived in the free role earlier, Allegri has ingeniously opted to share the burden, with all three of Juve’s midfield trio making bursts upfield, with Khedira scoring his second goal in as many games with a smart finish.
However, Lazio were rather unfortunate to lose this game, as they were far more disciplined – in stark contrast to their opening day chaos. Juventus were lucky to escape with a 1-0 win, but that is precisely the sort of result that has meant the Bianconeri have been champions for 5 seasons running.
4) Milanese football gets more tragic by the minute
AC Milan’s games have been the most exciting of both Matchweek 1 and 2, although I doubt that the Rossoneri faithful would care. A trip to Naples resulted in stunning game, with both sides experiencing a seesaw fixture that ended 4-2 in favour of the Neapolitans.
Milan’s youthful exuberance of Niang and Suso rescued a game that had looked lost after Napoli took a 2-0 lead, but some needless red cards for Kucka and Niang, with Romagnoli also lucky to escape a red for his handball preventing a certain goal, resulted in Napoli winning the game – thanks primarily to Dries Mertens’ endeavour, with Milik and Callejon profiting.
As for Inter Milan, Mauro Icardi salvaged a 1-1 draw at the Giuseppe Meazza, but Inter were woeful for large spells of the match. The fact that Inter’s best chances in the first half fell to a defensive midfielders and centre-backs tells you all you need to know, though Palermo were rather lucky to take the lead.
Milan’s footballing struggles are losing their mirth and is quickly becoming more tragic by the minute.
5) Sassuolo undid their good work with a foolish mistake
It’s very hard to criticise Sassuolo – the Neroverdi are punching way above their weight in Serie A and even in Europe. A nervy 2-1 win over newly promoted Delfino Pescara meant that Sassuolo were in dreamland at the top of the Serie A standings. However, football can be cruel at times, and Sassuolo have received the news that their Berardi-inspired victory will be reversed to a 3-0 loss due to fielding an ‘ineligible’ player.
The player in question is Antonio Ragusa, who was registered on 26th August, with Sassuolo having already sent in their 25 man squad a day earlier to the Lega Serie A. However, clubs can make amendments to their lineup, with a confirmation receipt given. Sassuolo are adamant that they notified the Lega, and have launched an appeal with investigations into a computer malfunction ongoing.
It would be rather tragic for Sassuolo to lose out on three hard-earned points, especially since Pescara look like they can be more than relegation fodder, with Caprari constantly a menace, while Alberto Aquilani is coming in to the club as well.
