Serie A’s early title race faces its first major test this weekend, with Inter Milan hosting Napoli before Juventus welcome AC Milan in two heavyweight clashes that could offer an early indication of the contenders’ strength.
Inter meet Napoli on Saturday in the standout fixture of Matchday 3, with both sides having made winning starts to the campaign.
The defending champions opened their title defence with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Monza, while Napoli began life under Massimiliano Allegri with a 2-0 win against Genoa.
Inter coach Cristian Chivu believes the meeting could have wider implications despite the season still being in its early stages.
“The only thing we know for sure is that we have worked hard and that we are ready for a big game, knowing it could shape the season,” Chivu said.
He expects fine margins to decide the contest, stressing the importance of “focus and precision” in the key moments.
Saturday’s programme also sees Fiorentina take on Torino, while Roma host Atalanta in another potentially revealing encounter.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma will be keen to underline their ambitions against an Atalanta side accustomed to challenging near the top of the table.
Attention then shifts to Turin on Sunday, where Juventus face AC Milan.
Juventus opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory away to Frosinone, but coach Luciano Spalletti wants greater cutting edge from his players.
“We must have the courage to come up with decisive pieces of play,” Spalletti said, urging Juventus to show their “ruthless face” as the season gathers momentum.
Milan have also started positively under Ruben Amorim after defeating Torino 2-1 in their opener.
The Portuguese coach has promised an attacking identity and has spoken of embracing the emotion that comes with leading one of Italian football’s biggest clubs.
“The passion of the goal is for a coach who celebrated so many Milan goals, and now I am the coach of Milan, so I want to feel that passion in my staff too,” Amorim said.
Elsewhere, Genoa host Como on Friday, while Sunday also features Parma against Monza, Frosinone versus Venezia and Bologna against Sassuolo.
Monday closes the round with Cagliari facing Lecce and Udinese hosting Lazio.
But the spotlight will firmly remain on Milan and Turin, where four of Serie A’s biggest clubs face their first major tests of the new season.
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