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Serie A Review: Three takeaways from the weekend as Juve get back to winning ways

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Matchday eight brought some much needed relief to struggling Juventus, last-gasp drama for Milan and another reminder from Napoli that they need to be taken seriously for the Scudetto.

By Matteo Bonetti, US Serie A expert

Must win game for Juventus

Juventus came into their home match with Bologna desperately needing a win. After five matches without picking up a single victory in all competitions, Juve’s early season woes have been under constant criticism. The manager Max Allegri has somehow endured this early storm, most likely because of the massive contract attached to his name, which has forced Juventus to be patient and not make any rash decisions. 

Against Bologna, Juve started the game with a 4-4-2 using two strikers up top against a Bologna team that has struggled this season. Arek Milik and Dušan Vlahović both scored, with the Bianconeri looking more lively as the game went on. This display felt like it meant more than just the three points – it gave Juventus a much needed sigh of relief after a September from hell. It was also a glimpse into the more attack minded Juventus we thought we were getting after Allegri said during the summer that his main goal was to improve a middle of the pack offence and get them to finally create more chances.

This win should give the team a much needed boost of confidence before their must win Champions League clash against Israeli side Maccabi Haifa. Surely what we saw in the last month was rock bottom, as the situation couldn’t possibly get any worse. Looking ahead, the injury situation will start clearing up and important pieces like Federico Chiesa and Paul Pogba will finally come into the lineup. Those two alone fix the main issue with this stale Juventus lineup – dynamism and excitement. Chiesa is one of the few Italian wingers who can consistently take his man on and beat him, while Pogba needs little introduction. The French midfielder played the best football of his career at Juventus, and it doesn’t take much to perform better than what the fans have seen in that department since he left for Manchester United six years ago.

Milan making no excuses

While we’ve heard injury excuses from Juventus manager Max Allegri, Milan have quietly gone about their business despite having a string of injury issues, which was highlighted by a decimated squad away to Empoli. Pioli was forced to dig deeper into his bench than he has this season, with new injuries to the world class pairing of Theo Hernández and Mike Maignan. This meant that the Rossoneri were forced to use the maligned duo consisting of backup keeper Cyprian Tătărușanu, who inspires little confidence; and the mistake prone full-back Fodé Ballo Touré, who never convinced in the few appearances he had last season. While Tătărușanu made a mistake on Empoli’s free kick goal that temporarily levelled the score at 1-1 in the final minutes, it was Touré’s strike which put Milan 2-1 ahead in stoppage time. The left-back became the unlikely hero before Rafael Leão put the dagger into the game with a lightning quick counter and chip shot over the keeper to cement the win. 

These are three points Milan would’ve never gotten before the Stefano Pioli era started. The mentality has finally become a winning one, and it never feels like this team is out of it, no matter the adversity they’re facing. It’s evident behind the scenes too – the players are genuinely happy and love playing for Pioli. The atmosphere in the dressing room is one where everyone knows their role, and there’s a decent amount of intra-squad competition to keep players sharp.

The reaction from the Milan players on the goals scored at the end against Empoli was very telling of the unity in this side. It felt like Milan won a trophy. Even a player like Yacine Adli, whom you wouldn’t fault for being frustrated with his lack of minutes, was celebrating on the sidelines, as if he’d scored the goal himself! This harmony behind the scenes has allowed the club to finally enjoy playing its football again, after a grim period where they couldn’t crack the top four.

Napoli keep on shining

Napoli are the story of the Serie A season so far. From 25/1 Scudetto underdogs over the summer to an early start that sees them at the top of the table. The Partenopei were once again a pleasure to watch in their 3-1 win against Torino. The game never really felt like it might swing the other way, with midfielder Zambo Anguissa scoring a first half brace which gave Napoli an early cushion. What’s incredible about this team is how many weapons they have at their disposal. Without Victor Osimhen, they can now rotate two quality strikers in Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone. They each serve a purpose as they have very different characteristics. Raspadori is better in tight spaces and likes to come short, while Simeone can be the second half super-sub to test tired legs with his runs in behind.

It feels like a century ago that Luciano Spalletti was trying to calm down furious fans who demanded answers this summer after the team sold their most important players across the pitch. No one could’ve predicted that Napoli’s new signings would be this good so quickly into the season. What’s most impressive is that players like Kim Min Jae and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined from inferior leagues in Turkey and Georgia, have actually played the best football of their career since they took the step up to Serie A. It’s a testament to the identity that Luciano Spalletti has created so early into the season (with help from a scouting department that couldn’t have done their job any better). A Napoli Scudetto, which hasn’t happened since the days of Diego Maradona in 1990, would be surreal for the city and fans. It’s unheard of to lose four of your most important pillars in one summer and somehow manage to get better, but that’s exactly what’s happened – a younger, more dynamic team that plays fearless and now believes they could bring back silverware to one of the most passionate fanbases in the world.

Closing thoughts…

Monza are undefeated under new manager Raffaele Palladino. A few weeks ago I wrote that their former manager Giovanni Stroppa was likely on the hot seat after a terrible start, and since his sacking the club has beaten Juventus at home and Sampdoria away. They haven’t conceded a goal in the process and are playing some really slick possession football. Palladino’s entrance into the club has been the textbook positive change a chairman dreams of when making such an early season managerial switch.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the 2022/23 Serie A season live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Serie A Review: Three takeaways from the weekend as Juve get back to winning ways

Matchday eight brought some much needed relief to struggling Juventus, last-gasp drama for Milan and another reminder from Napoli that they need to be taken seriously for the Scudetto.

By Matteo Bonetti, US Serie A expert

Must win game for Juventus

Juventus came into their home match with Bologna desperately needing a win. After five matches without picking up a single victory in all competitions, Juve’s early season woes have been under constant criticism. The manager Max Allegri has somehow endured this early storm, most likely because of the massive contract attached to his name, which has forced Juventus to be patient and not make any rash decisions. 

Against Bologna, Juve started the game with a 4-4-2 using two strikers up top against a Bologna team that has struggled this season. Arek Milik and Dušan Vlahović both scored, with the Bianconeri looking more lively as the game went on. This display felt like it meant more than just the three points – it gave Juventus a much needed sigh of relief after a September from hell. It was also a glimpse into the more attack minded Juventus we thought we were getting after Allegri said during the summer that his main goal was to improve a middle of the pack offence and get them to finally create more chances.

This win should give the team a much needed boost of confidence before their must win Champions League clash against Israeli side Maccabi Haifa. Surely what we saw in the last month was rock bottom, as the situation couldn’t possibly get any worse. Looking ahead, the injury situation will start clearing up and important pieces like Federico Chiesa and Paul Pogba will finally come into the lineup. Those two alone fix the main issue with this stale Juventus lineup – dynamism and excitement. Chiesa is one of the few Italian wingers who can consistently take his man on and beat him, while Pogba needs little introduction. The French midfielder played the best football of his career at Juventus, and it doesn’t take much to perform better than what the fans have seen in that department since he left for Manchester United six years ago.

Milan making no excuses

While we’ve heard injury excuses from Juventus manager Max Allegri, Milan have quietly gone about their business despite having a string of injury issues, which was highlighted by a decimated squad away to Empoli. Pioli was forced to dig deeper into his bench than he has this season, with new injuries to the world class pairing of Theo Hernández and Mike Maignan. This meant that the Rossoneri were forced to use the maligned duo consisting of backup keeper Cyprian Tătărușanu, who inspires little confidence; and the mistake prone full-back Fodé Ballo Touré, who never convinced in the few appearances he had last season. While Tătărușanu made a mistake on Empoli’s free kick goal that temporarily levelled the score at 1-1 in the final minutes, it was Touré’s strike which put Milan 2-1 ahead in stoppage time. The left-back became the unlikely hero before Rafael Leão put the dagger into the game with a lightning quick counter and chip shot over the keeper to cement the win. 

These are three points Milan would’ve never gotten before the Stefano Pioli era started. The mentality has finally become a winning one, and it never feels like this team is out of it, no matter the adversity they’re facing. It’s evident behind the scenes too – the players are genuinely happy and love playing for Pioli. The atmosphere in the dressing room is one where everyone knows their role, and there’s a decent amount of intra-squad competition to keep players sharp.

The reaction from the Milan players on the goals scored at the end against Empoli was very telling of the unity in this side. It felt like Milan won a trophy. Even a player like Yacine Adli, whom you wouldn’t fault for being frustrated with his lack of minutes, was celebrating on the sidelines, as if he’d scored the goal himself! This harmony behind the scenes has allowed the club to finally enjoy playing its football again, after a grim period where they couldn’t crack the top four.

Napoli keep on shining

Napoli are the story of the Serie A season so far. From 25/1 Scudetto underdogs over the summer to an early start that sees them at the top of the table. The Partenopei were once again a pleasure to watch in their 3-1 win against Torino. The game never really felt like it might swing the other way, with midfielder Zambo Anguissa scoring a first half brace which gave Napoli an early cushion. What’s incredible about this team is how many weapons they have at their disposal. Without Victor Osimhen, they can now rotate two quality strikers in Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone. They each serve a purpose as they have very different characteristics. Raspadori is better in tight spaces and likes to come short, while Simeone can be the second half super-sub to test tired legs with his runs in behind.

It feels like a century ago that Luciano Spalletti was trying to calm down furious fans who demanded answers this summer after the team sold their most important players across the pitch. No one could’ve predicted that Napoli’s new signings would be this good so quickly into the season. What’s most impressive is that players like Kim Min Jae and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined from inferior leagues in Turkey and Georgia, have actually played the best football of their career since they took the step up to Serie A. It’s a testament to the identity that Luciano Spalletti has created so early into the season (with help from a scouting department that couldn’t have done their job any better). A Napoli Scudetto, which hasn’t happened since the days of Diego Maradona in 1990, would be surreal for the city and fans. It’s unheard of to lose four of your most important pillars in one summer and somehow manage to get better, but that’s exactly what’s happened – a younger, more dynamic team that plays fearless and now believes they could bring back silverware to one of the most passionate fanbases in the world.

Closing thoughts…

Monza are undefeated under new manager Raffaele Palladino. A few weeks ago I wrote that their former manager Giovanni Stroppa was likely on the hot seat after a terrible start, and since his sacking the club has beaten Juventus at home and Sampdoria away. They haven’t conceded a goal in the process and are playing some really slick possession football. Palladino’s entrance into the club has been the textbook positive change a chairman dreams of when making such an early season managerial switch.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the 2022/23 Serie A season live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.