Napoli’s Late Winner and Roma’s Steady Progress
The Serie A champions, Napoli, secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Cagliari thanks to a dramatic last-gasp goal from midfielder Andre-Frank Anguissa. The match, played at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, saw Napoli struggle to break down a resilient Cagliari defense for much of the game. Chances were few and far between for the home side, with Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile making a crucial save to deny Leonardo Spinazzola in the second half. As the match ticked into stoppage time, it appeared Napoli would have to settle for a frustrating draw. However, Anguissa emerged as the hero, finding the back of the net in the fifth minute of added time to snatch all three points for the reigning champions. This late winner spared Napoli’s blushes after Scott McTominay missed a golden opportunity to put Cagliari ahead just moments before. Napoli’s star players, Kevin De Bruyne and McTominay, were largely subdued, while Lorenzo Lucca, deputizing for the injured Romelu Lukaku, failed to make a significant impact. Meanwhile, Napoli are on the verge of bolstering their attack with the imminent arrival of Rasmus Hojland from Manchester United. The Danish striker landed in Italy on Saturday, ready to finalize a loan move, which is expected to be made permanent next summer.
Roma continued their impressive start under new manager Gian Piero Gasperini with a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Pisa. The match, played at the Arena Garibaldi, was a tight affair, with Roma eventually breaking the deadlock through Matias Soule nine minutes into the second half. Soule calmly finished a well-worked move, converting Evan Ferguson’s layoff to secure Roma’s second consecutive win and maintain their perfect start to the season. The Argentine forward thought he had doubled his tally shortly after, but his celebrations were cut short when the referee ruled out the goal for handball. Roma’s victory sees them level on points with Napoli at the top of the Serie A table, with Napoli holding a slight advantage on goal difference. Cremonese also join them on six points, making for a tight contest at the top of the table in these early stages of the season. The win further solidifies Gasperini’s impact on the team and suggests Roma could be genuine title contenders this season.
Bologna’s Orsolino Shines and Atalanta’s Stuttering Start
Riccardo Orsolino marked his call-up to the Italian national team with the winning goal in Bologna’s 1-0 victory over Como. The winger, who has been in fine form since helping Vincenzo Italiano’s side win the Italian Cup last season, continued his impressive run by netting the decisive goal just before the hour mark. Orsolino connected with Santiago Castro’s low cross to secure Bologna’s first victory of the season, a much-needed result after a disappointing start. His performance will be a boost for new Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who included Orsolino in his first squad. This selection marks a turnaround for the 28-year-old, who struggled for playing time under former Italy coach Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked in June following a difficult start to the Azzurri’s World Cup qualifying campaign. Orsolino’s resurgence suggests he could play a significant role for Italy in their upcoming matches.
Atalanta endured a frustrating start under new manager Ivan Juric, drawing 1-1 with Parma. Mario Pasalic, celebrating his 300th appearance for Atalanta, put the home side ahead with a well-taken finish in the 79th minute. Pasalic, a key figure in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph under Gasperini last year, looked to have secured the win for his new manager. However, Parma’s Patrick Cutrone had other ideas, leveling the scores just six minutes later with an 85th-minute strike. The draw leaves Atalanta without a win under Juric, who took over from Gasperini in the summer. The result will be a disappointment for Atalanta, who had hoped to start the season strongly and build on their recent successes. The late equalizer for Parma will sting, highlighting defensive frailties that Juric will need to address.
Early Season Intrigue in Serie A
These early matches in the Serie A season have already provided plenty of drama and excitement. Napoli’s late escape against Cagliari demonstrates the unpredictable nature of the league, while Roma’s solid start suggests they could be a force to be reckoned with under Gasperini. Bologna’s Orsolino is proving his worth, and Atalanta’s struggles under Juric highlight the challenges faced by new managers adapting to a new league and squad.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these storylines develop. Napoli will aim to build on their late win and mount a strong title defense, while Roma will look to maintain their momentum and challenge for top honors. Bologna will hope Orsolino can continue his fine form, and Atalanta will be eager to find their rhythm under Juric. The early indications suggest that the 2023/24 Serie A season will be filled with thrilling matches and unpredictable twists and turns.
