Six teams in two points. We were saying that a small revolution is underway that no one had even remotely hypothesized this summer. In fact, teams are raising their crest that usually, despite having illustrious traditions, are almost always on the fringes of the championship. In particular Atalanta which, in the wake of the new success against Udinese (2-1), is being loudly called upon by its fans to take on the responsibilities that are now theirs: that is, to finally become great by aiming for the scudetto. Gasperini, architect of the growth, naturally throws water on the fire (“The fans can dream but talking about the scudetto now makes no sense.”), but now he can no longer exempt himself. Unless we nail Atalanta to the role of eternal Giamburrasca which first scares the big teams but then, ultimately, retreats into its reassuring comfort zone of entertainment as an end in itself. But in addition to Atalanta, Fiorentina and Lazio are also elbowing each other out, all 25 of them, all launched and increasingly aware of their value.
Kean’s hat-trick
Viola, in their sixth consecutive victory, overwhelms Verona (3-1) with a hat-trick from Moise Kean. The national team’s wild center forward has already scored eight goals. All fat dripping for Luciano Spalletti, in the stands enjoying the show, but also for Palladino’s team, increasingly convincing in terms of play and continuity. On Kean, considered a modest stopgap this summer, a long discussion should be opened on the great strategists of the transfer market, given that Juventus (Giuntoli’s ears will ring) let him slip by considering him out of their plans due to his character not always tamable. For Fiorentina’s coffers, a real bargain. For those of the Juventus club, much less. It’s true that Madama has many young players growing up, but in short, leaving a striker with Kean’s potential and age (24 years old) on the street is no reason to boast.
Lazio, which passes 1-0 in Monza (nice goal from Zaccagni) is also part of the rampant trio at 25. With their tenth success in the last 11 matches (between championship and cup) Baroni’s team is traveling with the wind at its back enjoying also of the growth of its players, ten of whom, starting with the Italian Nicolò Rovella, have been called up by their respective national teams. Winning helps you win. Self-esteem increases and above all the economic value of the squad, which has doubled compared to this summer.
Giallorossi collapse: Juric sacked
Bad news for Roma instead. Yet another poor performance against Bologna at the Olimpico (2-3) after 53 days of shaky permanence cost Juric the bench. The Croatian coach was exonerated with one of those statements (“they want to thank him for his hard work, he managed a difficult environment with the utmost professionalism…”) which say everything and nothing. The fourth home defeat confirmed that the team no longer followed him. The Giallorossi are a club in disarray, with the Friedkin presidency harshly contested by the Curva Sud who, at half-time, left the stands. It’s difficult to see a way out. After De Rossi and Juric himself, the most popular name is that of Roberto Mancini, who however demands an agreement of at least two years. There is also talk of a return for De Rossi, still under contract. How to say? At worst, in these cases, there is never an end.
Returning to the big names, good news comes from Juventus, fresh from an easy success (2-0) in the Turin derby. Little opposed by the Granata (increasingly disarmed, due to Zapata’s injury), Motta’s team, driven by Cambiaso’s slaloms and Conceicao’s crosses, won easily with goals from Wheah and Yildiz, now increasingly the protagonist in the Juventus attack. Solid in defense and cynical in their conclusions, Juve continues its march towards the top. In addition to Inter and Napoli, Atalanta permitting, it is the third force of the tournament.
