The second round of Serie A fixtures had a tough act to follow after the opening game week proved so plentiful in talking points. Thankfully, round two did not disappoint.
Roma and Juventus faced off in what could already be one of the season’s biggest games, with the Giallorossi running out as 2-1 winners in a game that they completely dominated from the first minute. The Milanese clubs both claimed all three points in albeit unconvincing fashion against Carpi and Empoli respectively.
Fellow European hopefuls Lazio were humiliated by Chievo, Fiorentina fell to a 3-1 defeat against the increasingly impressive Torino, while Napoli continued to stutter as they threw away a 2-0 lead to draw at home to Sampdoria.
Elsewhere, Atalanta beat Frosinone 2-0; Sassuolo overcame Bologna; Udinese fell to defeat at home to Palermo, while Genoa claimed the points as they welcomed Hellas Verona to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Our Team of the Week will see a 3-4-3-diamond formation deployed.
Do you agree with our selection? Have your say in the comments below or get in touch on Twitter!
Stefano Sorrentino – Palermo
An honourable mention goes to Frosinone’s Nicola Leali, and had the Canarini not been beaten on Sunday he may have earned his place. Sorrentino, however, played a huge role in the Rosanero’s 1-0 away win at Udinese, as he made several saves to maintain his clean-sheet and frustrate Duvan Zapata, Antonio Di Natale and Cyril Thereau.
Francesco Acerbi – Sassuolo
The 27-year-old was comfortable when in possession and just as composed when defending. Constantly swept up loose balls in the defensive third of the pitch and kickstarted attacks for the Neroverdi in their narrow 1-0 win.
Guglielmo Stendardo – Atalanta
The veteran defender led by example as La Dea sealed their first win of the new season and got things up and running as he scored the game’s opening goal as he quite appropriately slide-tackled the ball into the net. The Neapolitan defender was a rock at the back as Frosinone were limited to taking shots from range.
Miranda – Inter
The former Atletico Madrid defender will be happy with his new side’s start to the season, despite the Nerazzurri needing to grind out consecutive wins against stubborn opposition. The Brazilian was dominant in the air all night and it’s hard to remember a dual he lost.
Radja Nainggolan – Roma
The battling midfielder was crucial as the Giallorossi defeated Juventus. The Belgian was almost rampaging around the pitch in typical fashion and can feel unlucky to have not added a goal himself as Gianluigi Buffon pulled off a wonderful save to deny him what would have been the icing on the cake that his performance deserved.
Miralem Pjanic – Roma
The Bosnian scored a stunning free kick to give his side the lead over the current Scudetto holders and showed his class throughout. Was unlucky not to give I Lupi the lead earlier as he hit the post, but dictated play from start to finish from midfield.
Valter Birsa – Chievo
The former AC Milan man controlled the game with his passing and displayed great vision throughout the game. Deservingly added a goal to his performance with a brilliant free kick.
Riccardo Saponara – Empoli
The 23-year-old continued his form from the back end of last season, despite his Azzurri side falling to a 2-1 defeat against his former employers at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The Italian did show the Rossoneri what they were missing as he regularly linked up with veteran striker Massimo Maccarone to great affect. It was this combination that saw Saponara draw Empoli level after Carlos Bacca gave the hosts the lead.
Riccardo Meggiorini – Chievo
His assist for Alberto Paloschi’s first goal is reason enough for his selection, as he sublimely volleyed a back-heel cross into the six yard box while sliding to keep the ball in play. This, after he did well to give the Flying Donkeys the lead in what went on to become an utter humiliation of the Biancocelesti.
Gonzalo Higuain – Napoli
The Argentine forward looked keen to exorcise his demons of last season as he got up and running for the season and gave the Partenopei a two-goal lead with a couple of tidy finishes, only to see the Stadio San Paolo side capitulate in the space of five minutes before the hour mark as an Eder brace saw the points shared.
Edin Dzeko – Roma
Making his Serie A Stadio Olimpico debut, the former Manchester City striker could not have dreamed of a better start than to score a goal as Roma defeated title-rivals Juventus. Could have added more than one goal were it not for the experienced Buffon in the Bianconeri goal.
