The international break is finally over, meaning that calcio fans will get to see their favorite players and teams in action this weekend. So far, five teams have set the pace after two rounds, with Juventus having to really play catch-up after a difficult start.
Here's all you need to know ahead of matchday three.
The top five teams in Serie A after two rounds. So far, Juventus have yet to get up and running, meaning that there's a five point gap between themselves and the teams at the top of the table. Will they be able to shake off their early season funk?
Napoli vs Juventus: It's been a horrible start to the season for Juventus, who have earned just one point so far after drawing Udinese and suffering a shock loss to Empoli. The pressure will be on Massimiliano Allegri's men to get things right as as they travel to face Napoli in a highly-anticipated match, but it'll be much easier said than done given the Partenopei having a excellent start to the season.
Sampdoria vs Inter: Reigning champs Inter may have seen key players like Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi depart during the summer, plus head coach Antonio Conte, but it hasn't prevented the Nerazzurri from starting off the season on a high note. Along with Napoli, AC Milan, Roma, and Lazio, Inter are among the teams to have a perfect winning record at this early stage, and they'll certainly look to make it three wins in three as they take on a Sampdoria side who have yet to hit their stride.
Milan vs Lazio: Two teams with perfect records will collide as Milan welcome Lazio to the Stadio San Siro. At the end of 90 minutes, one - or both - of these teams won't have a 100 per cent winning record. Will it be a Milan side who have been given a major boost with the expected return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, or will Maurizio Sarri's Lazio head back to the Eternal City with at least a point in hand?
Sassuolo vs Roma: There's been a lot more buzz about Roma this season thanks to the Giallorossi pulling off the acquisition of decorated manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho, in turn, has brought in some interesting reinforcements, namely young English striker Tammy Abraham, who impressed fans and pundits alike with his showings against Fiorentina and Salernitana. Sassuolo, however, have proven to be a problem side for Italy's biggest teams since they burst onto the scene in 2013, and will be looking to throw a wrench in Roma's plans when the Giallorossi arrive on Sunday.
Here's who's out or in doubt for matchday three:
AC Milan: Olivier Giroud (COVID-19), Franck Kessié (Muscle Injury)
Inter: Alexis Sánchez (Muscular problems), Gabriel Brazão (Knee Injury), Christian Eriksen (Heart Condition), Stefano Sensi (Calf Problems)
Juventus: Aaron Ramsey (Muscular problems), Federico Chiesa (Unknown Injury), Rodrigo Bentancur (Unknown Injury), Arthur (Surgery)
Lazio: Bobby Adekanye (Meniscal Injury)
Napoli: Dries Mertens (Shoulder Injury), Alex Meret (Fracture), Piotr Zielinski (Leg Injury), Faouzi Ghoulam (Fitness), Diego Demme (Knee Injury)
Roma: Chris Smalling (Hamstring Injury), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Unknown Injury), Nicolò Zaniolo (Bruise), Gianluca Mancini (Foot Injury), Leonardo Spinazzola (Achilles tendon rupture)
Saturday, 11 September 2021 | |||||
Live | 7:30am |
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Live | 10:00am |
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Live | 10:00am |
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Live | 10:00am |
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Live | 10:00am |
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Live | 10:00am |
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Live | 10:00am |
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Live | 12:30pm |
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Sunday, 12 September 2021 | |||||
Live | 11:30am |
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Monday, 13 September 2021 | |||||
Live | 3:00pm |
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