Serie A: AC Milan, Lazio, Napoli and Juventus All in Action
After a two-week international break, the Serie A returns this weekend and there are some fascinating clashes to look forward to. We will preview Napoli v Juventus, and AC Milan v Lazio, and try to pick some winners from those games.
Napoli handed David Ospina boost ahead of Juventus showdown
Napoli could have David Ospina back in between the sticks to face Juventus. The Colombian shot-stopper sustained a knock while on international duty. But with Alex Meret already ruled out for several weeks with a back fracture, Napoli can’t ill afford any more injuries in that position.
The Partenopei have flourished in the early stages of the campaign, garnering six points from their first two games. Before the international break, Napoli claimed a 2-1 victory over Genoa, and this season, they will be hoping to clinch a top-four spot.
How will Juventus cope with life after Cristiano Ronaldo?
Last season, Cristiano Ronaldo was instrumental for Juventus even without winning the league, as he fired home 29 goals to finish as the Serie A top scorer. But following his move to Manchester United at the end of last month, the Portuguese superstar left huge boots to fill. Paulo Dybala and Federico Chiesa will therefore have to step up to the mark.
Juventus hoping to give youth a chance following appointment of Paolo de Ceglie
Juventus will be hoping to give the young talent a chance to move through the ranks and feature for the senior team. Last week, the Bianconeri announced the appointment of Paolo De Ceglie, who has returned to the Juventus academy as a coaching assistant. His credentials are unquestionable, and fans will be hoping to see some unfamiliar faces get game time.
Juventus need to put a shaky start behind them
For Juve, they already look like they are on shaky ground, and they need to cure their recent woes. A 2-2 draw against Udinese was followed up with a 1-0 defeat against Empoli. The Bianconeri pipped Napoli to a Champions League spot last season, and they will be eager to get their first win on the board.
Lazio in flying form after spectacular start to the campaign
Lazio have come flying out of the traps at the start of the campaign. After swatting aside Empoli 3-1, Lazio then hammered Spezia 6-1, and all appears to be well in the camp. And with a Rome derby on the horizon too, September will be a critical month for Lazio.
However, Lazio could be without full-back Manuel Lazzari for Sunday afternoon’s meeting with AC Milan. The 27-year-old picked up a calf strain in the victory over Spezia, and he will undergo more tests before determining the problem.
Meanwhile, Milan could hand summer signing Pietro Pellegri his debut against Lazio. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic unlikely to feature and Olivier Giroud recently testing positive for COVID-19, Pellegri could put himself in the frame for a starting spot. It will be fascinating to see how Pellegri gets on.
AC Milan v Lazio: A tale of the tape
This weekend’s clash represents fourth versus first, and there will be some ramifications even in the early stages of the campaign. Milan has had a stronghold over Lazio when you look at the overall Serie A picture. Last season, both sides played out a five-goal thriller at the San Siro.
Milan were 2-0 up inside 17 minutes, and although Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile hauled the visitors back into the game, they were denied by a last-gasp goal from Theo Hernandez. Goals have arrived frequently in such games, and we could be in for a treat once again!
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