Outside90’s Joshua Scarcella breaks down the 10 major talking points coming out of the weekend’s Serie A action.
Stevan Jovetic has new life at Inter
The Montenegrin cut ties with Manchester City prior to the start of the new season after a torrid experience with injuries and playing second fiddle to the likes of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and David Silva.
Having played the majority of the first two games in the Serie A season, Jovetic has shown he is able to reach the form from his days at Fiorentina in which he attracted the scouting eyes of Manchester City.
Three goals in two appearances has not only helped his own confidence, but has also been pivotal to Inter Milan claiming six points at the end of matchday two.
Sampdoria may have the best strike pairing in the league
Eder and Luis Muriel have continued their brilliant matchday one form into matchday two, with the Brazilian adding another two goals to his tally. The second was an outstanding solo run which included some twisting and turning and then skilful finishing past Pepe Reina.
Although Muriel did not add to the scoresheet, his first half performance was exemplary, yet unrewarded and his second half included hitting the crossbar with 10 minutes remaining
Six goals between them in the first two weeks will have opponents on high alert of the pair.
Torino are the league’s dark horse
I Granata’s outstanding home match performance against Fiorentina has forced onlookers to wonder if they are serious contenders for a UEFA Champions League position come the end of the season.
Outplaying a stubborn Viola side is no easy feat, however Fabio Quagliarella, Giuseppe Vives and 23-year-old Danielle Baselli made it look like a walk in the park.
If the team continues to play well against the higher profile sides in the league, we may have a surprise on our hands.
Roma become the new title favourites
A comprehensive performance against the Bianconeri places Roma in the favourites position to take home the Scudetto, overtaking the current champions who find themselves six points behind after only two games.
Miralem Pjanic and new signing Mohamed Salah had Juventus in sixes and sevens for the majority of the match and were much deserved winners.
Of the top three from last season, Roma are currently the highest placed. With their new signings beginning to gain some cohesion, i Giallorossi will be hard to bet against.
Have Chievo Verona discovered their form of 2002-03?
Rolando Maran’s men produced perhaps the shock of the round, dispatching Lazio 4-0 with relative ease and moving to the top of the Serie A table.
After also winning in round one, the fans may start to ponder if this could be the season they better their debut Serie A campaign and also highest ever finish of seventh, which came about during the 2002-03 season.
Ricardo Meggiorini, Alberto Paloschi and Valter Birsa are becoming key figures of the squad.
Saponara’s move to Empoli may come back to haunt Milan
Riccardo Saponara’s move to Empoli came as a surprise to most Milan fans and the attacking midfielder is showing the Rossoneri exactly what they are missing out on.
Two best on ground performances for his side, including an equalising goal against his former club, would be raising some eyebrows in the boardroom of Milan and would his chances of a debut in an Azzurri shirt no harm.
Digne fits right into Roma’s plans
Rudi Garcia’s faith in the 22-year-old paid off in Lucas Digne’s debut Serie A match. Keeping the Juventus forwards quiet and managing to incorporate himself in many attacking plays will please Garcia.
The left-back position has been a problem area in recent times, with Ashley Cole and Vasillis Torosidis not exactly suited to the specialist full-back role.
One-dimensional Napoli
Although possessing an abundance of attacking options, it seems Napoli are becoming somewhat one-dimensional with their use of Gonzalo Higuain.
Contrasting performances from the Argentinian could also replicate the story of the season for the Partenopei if the first two matches are anything to go by.
Two goals for Higuain against Sampdoria and very few shots on target from his teammates with Viviano barely tested is a worrying sign for Napoli who need to find options to goal and quickly.
The new boys may struggle to avoid relegation
Although only two rounds into the season, the performances of the newly-promoted teams have not been quite up to standard and this leaves the question: is relegation very much in the future of these clubs?
If points are needed at the business end of the season, Bologna have the most favourable draw of the sides, however the word ‘favourable’ is used very lightly.
Despite all of this, there is still plenty of matches left in the season to find some much needed form.
Milan’s strike pairing could keep Mario Balotelli out of the starting XI
Matchday two saw Milan’s high-profile forward signings Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca put themselves on the scoresheet for the first time in 2014-15 and now the midweek season-long loan deal for Mario Balotelli seems a little unnecessary.
If the pair continue this form, Balotelli may not be able to break into the starting XI and even if he does, the pressure to perform will be just as great as it was in his time with Liverpool.
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