Week two of the Serie A season saw another fantastic round of activity. The Milan derby, Roma v Juve, a derby in itself due to the 80s rivalry between the clubs, and Fiorentina v Palermo, two dark horses for the title were the stand out games of the round. Yet, suprisingly somewhat at the end of week two the city of Genoa has two teams leading the way with Juventus and Lazio sitting alongside them as the only teams remaining with a 100% record. Lets take a closer look.
AC Milan 0-4 Inter Milan
Inter ran riot against 10 man Milan on Saturday night. Milan started the better of the two sides and dominated the early passage of play, although Inter new boy Wesley Sneijder fired a cracking effort on target early on to show his arrival to Serie A. However, Milan did not make the most of their early pressure and were made to pay on 29 minutes. A wonderful through ball from Diego Milito carved open the Milan defence for Thiago Motta to strike home with effortless power. It was 2-0 seven minutes later as Eto'o was brought down by Gattuso in the box. Milito converted from the spot. Gattuso, who had asked to be substituted due to injury, was sent off for a late challenge moments later as things went from bad to worse for Milan. It got even worse moments later, as Milito again sent Maicon through who fired home to silence the Milan fans in the San Siro. The game was effectively dead after that, and the introduction of Klass Jan Huntelaar, who should have started really, made little difference. On 67 minutes Dejan Stankovic fired home a 30 yard missile into the top right corner to complete the rout.
Roma 1-3 Juventus
Roma were looking to bounce back from their defeat to Genoa last weekend but had to deal with a reborn Juventus this weekend, and it just proved to much for them. Juve were the better side in the opening exchanges, but Roma, in a packed Olimpico, were not going to give up that easily. That being said, Roma shot themselves in the foot as Casetti lost possession to Diego on the half way line and the Brazilian ran the lenght of the half holding off two defender to open the scoring with a cheeky finish. The lead didn't last long though, as De Rossi fired home an absolute missile of a drive from 30 yards after the ball was touched onto him from a free kick. Roma should have doubled their tally just before half time, but Totti wasted a chance when 1 on 1with Buffon who saved well. Roma though were looking unrepresented upfront, and Juve made the most of it when Diego scored again in a brilliant move by the Brazilian. Totti hit the post with a good effort on 80 minutes, but Felipe Melo made it 3 for Juve with a powerful run through midfield and quality finish from 20 yards out.
Fiorentina 1 - 0 Palermo
In the other big game of the weekend Fiorentina defeated Palermo in a tense encounter at the Artemio Franchi that was not without chances for both sides. Indeed, Gilardino should have put Fiorentina ahead early on but for a stunning block from Palermo's Kjaer. However, Jovetic again came to the rescue for Fiorentina and put them ahead by touching on a through ball into the bottom corner. Palermo though fought back and Miccoli tested Frey later on. Indeed, Igor Budan should have leveled the scores for Palermo late on, but his header was just a couple of inches to high as Frey was motionless. Fiorentina took the points, and remain unbeaten so far.
Chievo Verona 1 - 2 Lazio
Lazio continued their great start to the season, but again looked unconvincing in the middle of the park. Lazio started the brighter of the two teams, and Mauro Zarate nearly put the Aquile ahead with a thunderous freekick that hit the post with the keeper well beaten. As it was, Chievo took the lead through Sergio Pellisier who was left unmarked in the box again highlighting the defensive frailties that haunted Lazio last season. Chievo were putting Lazio under pressure now, and had the ball in the net again only for it to be ruled no goal for offside. Lazio equalised from the spot on 36 minutes through Julio Cruz after a somewhat soft spot kick had been awarded their way. However, there was no denying the brilliance of the winning goal. Mauri laid the ball of to Zarate who played a wonderful ball through the Verona backline for Cruz to tap in at the back post. The joy was short lived though, as Cribari was sent off on 60 minutes to send Lazio down to ten men. Lazio held on, just, but again the lack of Ledesma in midfield forced him into not using attacking talents Foggia and Eliseu. The Aquile must sort this out, else there passage at the top of the table could be short lived.
Elsewhere in Serie A
Both Genoa and Sampdoria maintained their 100% record so far this season, albeit after only two games. Genoa won away in Atalanta, which is a result to be respected as many a big side fell their last season. Emiliano Moretti headed Genoa in front on 45 minutes as they look too break into the top four this season. Sampdoria again were very impressive, and beat Udinese 3-1 at home at the Marassi. Giampaolo Pazzini gave them the lead, and new signing Manini from Napoli doubled the score. Di Natale pulled on back, but Cassano completed the win with a stunning individual goal.
Napoli showed why, especially at home, they should be feared by downing Livorno 3-1. Quagliarella put them ahead with a smart volley, and moments earlier had hit the bar with a fantastic effort from 40 yards out. Hamsik doubled their lead after weaving his way through their defence and applying a cool finish. Crstiano Lucarelli pulled on back for Livorno, but Fabio Quagliarella completed a wonderful home debut by making it 3-1 late on.
Siena suprisingly won away at Cagliari thanks to two Calaio goals and a final 3-1 scoreline, while Bari and Bologna played out a 0-0 draw to make sure that both of those sides pick up another point at the start of the season. Parma, a team who I believe will stay up with ease this year, continued their fine start by beating Catania 2-1 at the Tardini. Paloshi gave them the lead and after Catania drew level new boy Daniele Galloppa scored with a curling effort from outside of the box to give them the three points. After signing Cristian Zaccardo from Wolsberg and adding experienced hitman Nicola Amoruso and midfielder Blerim Dzemaili from Torino today, Parma should ensure midtable status.
Coming tomorrow, all the fallout from the last day on the transfer market
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