Matchweek 5 of the Italian Serie A is under way.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the round began with Monza's home match against Sassuolo. The hosts claimed a 2-1 victory to record their first win of the league season.
Gustavo Varela scored both goals for Monza, opening the scoring from open play in the 51st minute before converting a penalty in the 63rd. Vasilije Adzic pulled one back for Sassuolo late in the match.
The main focus of Matchweek 5 is at the top of the table. Roma and Inter have won all four of their opening matches and have 12 points each. Roma lead on goal difference, followed by Como and Lazio on 10 points, while Cagliari sit fifth with nine.
Roma vs Inter
The standout fixture of the round takes place at the Stadio Olimpico, where the only two teams with perfect records will go head-to-head.
Roma have made an impressive start under Gian Piero Gasperini, winning all four league matches with a goal difference of 12-1. The Giallorossi beat Torino 2-0 away from home in the previous round, with Donyell Malen among the scorers and emerging as one of the key figures in the team's strong start.
Inter have also collected 12 points but sit second due to an inferior goal difference of 13-6. Cristian Chivu's side were involved in an eight-goal thriller against Udinese in their previous Serie A match. Inter fell 2-0 behind before completing a remarkable comeback to win 5-3.
As a result, a victory for either side at the Olimpico would leave the winner alone at the top of the standings.
Roma have no major injury concerns ahead of the match. Mario Hermoso, who had been recovering from an ankle problem, has returned to team training. Gasperini highlighted the level of anticipation surrounding a meeting between two sides that have started the campaign so strongly.
Inter, meanwhile, have more significant selection problems. Hakan Calhanoglu will miss the game after suffering an adductor muscle injury in his right thigh. Djed Spence is also not expected to feature, while John Stones remains doubtful.
Lautaro Martinez, however, is ready to return to the starting line-up and could once again form Inter's attacking partnership with Marcus Thuram.
Recent history adds further intrigue. Inter have won their last five Serie A matches against Roma at the Olimpico. The clubs have met 186 times in the Italian top flight, with their latest encounter set to become the 187th – the most frequently played fixture in Serie A history.
Juventus vs Atalanta
Another intriguing encounter will take place in Turin, where Juventus host Atalanta. Both clubs currently find themselves lower in the standings than they would have expected.
Juventus have seven points from four matches and sit eighth. Luciano Spalletti's side have recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat. In the previous round, the Bianconeri suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Sassuolo after conceding the decisive goal in stoppage time.
Juventus responded strongly in Europe, opening their Europa League league-phase campaign with a 5-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen. Nico Gonzalez, Kerim Alajbegovic, Nick Woltemade, Zeki Celik and Randal Kolo Muani were on target.
Atalanta, meanwhile, have six points and occupy 11th place. The Bergamo side began their campaign with two victories before suffering consecutive 2-1 defeats against Roma and Cagliari.
Maurizio Sarri's team will attempt to stop that run in Turin, where Atalanta have enjoyed considerable success in recent years. They are unbeaten in their last eight Serie A away matches against Juventus.
The most recent meeting between the sides, however, ended in a 1-0 Juventus victory in Bergamo.
Juventus continue to deal with a lengthy list of absentees. Kenan Yildiz, Manuel Locatelli, Khephren Thuram, Jeff Ekhator, Juan Cabal and Jeremie Boga are unavailable, while Andrea Cambiaso is recovering from an injury.
Atalanta will be without Isak Hien and Kamaldeen Sulemana, who are still recovering from injuries. Gaetano, however, is available again after serving a suspension.
Serie A Matchweek 5 schedule, Baku time:
September 18
22:45 Monza vs Sassuolo – 2-1
September 19
17:00 Bologna vs Torino
17:00 Udinese vs Cagliari
20:00 Roma vs Inter
22:45 Venezia vs Lazio
September 20
14:30 Fiorentina vs Napoli
17:00 Frosinone vs Como
17:00 Parma vs Genoa
20:00 Juventus vs Atalanta
22:45 Milan vs Lecce
Serie A standings:
1. Roma – 12
2. Inter – 12
3. Como – 10
4. Lazio – 10
5. Cagliari – 9
6. Milan – 8
7. Frosinone – 7
8. Juventus – 7
9. Sassuolo – 7
10. Napoli – 6
11. Atalanta – 6
12. Lecce – 6
13. Udinese – 4
14. Monza – 4
15. Torino – 3
16. Fiorentina – 3
17. Bologna – 1
18. Parma – 1
19. Genoa – 1
20. Venezia – 0
