Six teams in two points. The Serie A championship, like never before this year, appears extremely balanced, with the tournament which, after twelve days, still does not have a real master. Leading the lead, at 26 points, is Antonio Conte’s Napoli, which precedes the quartet of Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter and Lazio by just one point. Just behind Juventus, while much further away (but with one more game to play) are Milan and Bologna, stuck at 18. In short, a surprisingly exciting season, at least for the moment.
Napoli
Leading the table, as mentioned, are Napoli, revitalized by Conte’s treatment after an extremely troubled year. The Neapolitans, who had started the season with the tough defeat of Verona, soon took the reins of the tournament into their own hands, but in the last two matches they collected just one point: first the internal slip-up with Atalanta, then the draw in San Siro against Inter. A slowdown that allowed the competitors to reduce the gap by breathing down the necks of Antonio Conte’s men, who, for their part, can however take advantage of the lack of European commitments to concentrate all their efforts on the championship. A factor which, in such a long season, could also prove decisive.
Atalanta
Six consecutive victories and an attack that scores in bursts. Gasperini’s Atalanta is now a certainty in our Serie A and this year too, after starting with the handbrake on, they soon shifted into high gear. In terms of quality of play, the Dea is perhaps the best team overall in the championship, but some doubts remain about their long-term continuity. An opponent, in any case, to be kept under an eye by the competitors.
Fiorentina
It is perhaps the real surprise of this first part of the tournament, Palladino’s Fiorentina. The Viola, after a not particularly brilliant start to the season, have given a decisive acceleration in recent weeks, winning six consecutive victories and sensationally returning to the leading group. A lot of credit must be given to the coach, who was able to revitalize, among others, Moise Kean. Of course, the Tuscans don’t have the depth of personnel of other teams and will hardly be able to fight for the tricolour, but in the meantime they are enjoying the moment.
Inter
Calhanoglu’s missed penalty in the big match against Napoli prevented the Nerazzurri from overtaking the Neapolitans in the standings, but the feeling is that Inter remain the main favorites to win the Scudetto. Simone Inzaghi’s team has now taken on a European dimension and can count on numerous alternatives in all departments, especially in midfield. In attack, however, the usual contribution of Lautaro Martinez is lacking so far, but his qualities are certainly not in question: when the Argentine returns to his best condition, the Nerazzurri will be able to take a further step forward.
Lazio
Baroni’s arrival on the bench in the summer was not greeted with particular enthusiasm by Lazio fans, but the results soon managed to dispel any skepticism. The Biancocelesti are coming off four victories in the championship and in the Europa League, demonstrating an identity that has now been fully acquired, they have full points. For the scudetto, however, there is probably some better equipped team.
Juventus
They are the only undefeated team in the championship, as well as being the best defense with just seven goals conceded. Juventus, with the arrival of Thiago Motta on the bench in the summer, has given life to a new technical project in search of a more European physiognomy. The performances offered and the results obtained so far are mixed, with a few too many draws which have slowed down their rise in the championship. To try to win the Scudetto, the Bianconeri need to do something more and find (perhaps on the market) an alternative who can make Vlahovic catch his breath if necessary.
Milan
We close our portfolio with Milan, a team that is currently -8 from the top (but the Rossoneri have to recover the match against Bologna). To date, the Devil has not yet been able to give continuity to his results, losing points even against opponents who are, on paper, approachable. And the risk is that the championship issue, for Paulo Fonseca’s men, could remain only a utopia.
