The seventh round of Italy's Serie A is underway, with matches scheduled through October 19. The biggest encounters of the weekend will take place on Sunday, when Juventus host joint leaders Lazio and Milan face an improving Atalanta side.
As reported by İdman.Biz, two teams share the lead after six rounds. Inter and Lazio have collected 16 points each, recording five victories and one draw.
Inter occupy first place thanks to their superior goal difference, followed by Roma with 14 points and surprise contenders Cagliari with 13.
Milan sit fifth with 12 points and remain unbeaten, while Juventus and Como have collected 11 points each. Defending champions Inter have also demonstrated remarkable attacking efficiency, scoring 18 goals in six league matches.
The round began on October 16, when Frosinone defeated Sassuolo 4-2. However, the most anticipated fixtures are still to come.
Juventus vs. Lazio
The standout match of the seventh round will take place at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, where Juventus welcome Lazio.
The encounter will not only bring together two of Italian football's most prestigious clubs but also feature an intriguing coaching duel between Luciano Spalletti and Gennaro Gattuso, both of whom have connections with the Italian national team.
The teams enter the match with contrasting domestic records.
Lazio occupy second place with 16 points and remain unbeaten, while Juventus sit seventh with 11 points, five behind their opponents.
Under Gattuso, Lazio have emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the early season.
The Roman club have won five of their six Serie A matches, conceding only four goals. Their away performances have been particularly impressive, with three victories from three matches and just one goal conceded.
In the previous round, Lazio defeated Monza 3-1, with Nuno Tavares, Gustav Isaksen and Andrea Pinamonti finding the net.
However, despite their convincing start, Lazio allowed their opponents to reduce the deficit, prompting criticism from Gattuso. The coach emphasized that his players must maintain concentration throughout the entire match.
Juventus, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency.
The Turin giants have recorded three victories, two draws and one defeat in six league matches.
In their previous outing, Juventus needed an 81st-minute equalizer from Randal Kolo Muani to rescue a 1-1 draw away to Cagliari.
That match also ended with an unpleasant incident involving Spalletti.
Following the final whistle, the Juventus coach became involved in a confrontation with Cagliari manager Fabio Pisacane. Both coaches received red cards, meaning Spalletti will be suspended from the touchline for the encounter against Lazio.
Nevertheless, Juventus have performed considerably better in European competition.
In midweek, the Bianconeri came from behind to defeat Spanish side Celta Vigo 2-1 in the UEFA Europa League, with Kolo Muani scoring the winning goal.
Earlier, Juventus had thrashed Dutch club NEC 5-0, collecting six points from their opening two European matches.
Injuries remain a serious concern for the hosts.
Manuel Locatelli, Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram and several other players are sidelined.
However, Bremer is expected to return to the starting lineup, while Jeremie Boga will undergo a fitness assessment following a thigh injury. Edon Zhegrova, who was not included in the Europa League squad, could provide an additional attacking option.
Lazio also have selection problems.
Albert Gudmundsson is unavailable due to a shoulder injury, while the participation of Matteo Cancellieri, Adam Marusic and Nicolo Rovella remains uncertain.
Recent head-to-head statistics add further intrigue.
Juventus have collected just two points from their previous three Serie A encounters against Lazio.
The Turin club will therefore be determined to end their disappointing run and reduce the gap to the leaders.
For Lazio, another victory would strengthen their position among the championship contenders and provide further evidence of their title ambitions.
Milan vs. Atalanta
Another important encounter will take place at San Siro, where Milan host Atalanta.
Only three points separate the teams, although their positions in the standings are noticeably different.
The Rossoneri occupy sixth place with 12 points, while Atalanta sit tenth with nine.
Under Ruben Amorim, Milan remain unbeaten in Serie A, having recorded three victories and three draws.
The team have scored 11 goals and conceded five in their opening six matches.
In the previous round, Milan dropped points in a 1-1 away draw against Sassuolo.
Adrien Rabiot gave the visitors the lead in the 63rd minute following an assist from Luka Modric, but Cas Odenthal equalized just five minutes later.
However, Milan demonstrated their attacking potential in the Europa League, securing an emphatic 4-0 victory over Austrian side Salzburg.
Young midfielder Alphadjo Cisse was the star of the encounter, scoring a remarkable hat-trick.
Interestingly, his three goals came in different ways: one with his right foot, another with his left and the third with a header.
Experienced midfielders Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot continue to play important roles in Milan's performances, while Amorim has several attacking options available, including Christian Pulisic and Goncalo Ramos.
Nevertheless, injuries have also affected the hosts.
Matteo Gabbia and Alexis Saelemaekers are expected to remain sidelined for an extended period.
With a demanding schedule, Amorim could also rotate his squad to maintain fitness levels.
Atalanta, meanwhile, approach the encounter following two consecutive victories that helped Maurizio Sarri's side recover from a three-match losing streak.
In the sixth round, the Bergamo club defeated Venezia 3-1.
Montenegrin striker Nikola Krstovic was the standout performer, scoring twice and providing an assist.
Atalanta followed that result with another 3-1 victory in midweek, this time against Cypriot side Pafos in the UEFA Conference League.
Elif Elmas was among the scorers, finding the net in the opening minute.
However, the visitors will also be without several important players.
Elmas is suspended, while Odilon Kossounou, Isak Hien and Kamaldeen Sulemana are sidelined through injury.
The availability of Giorgio Scalvini, Giacomo Raspadori and Franck Kessie also remains uncertain.
With Milan aiming to preserve their unbeaten record and Atalanta looking to extend their winning streak, the encounter promises to be one of the most competitive fixtures of the weekend.
Serie A Matchday 7 schedule (Baku time)
October 16
22:45. Frosinone vs. Sassuolo – 4-2
October 17
17:00. Venezia vs. Napoli
20:00. Bologna vs. Inter
22:45. Roma vs. Genoa
October 18
14:30. Udinese vs. Lecce
17:00. Fiorentina vs. Como
20:00. Milan vs. Atalanta
22:45. Juventus vs. Lazio
October 19
20:30. Monza vs. Cagliari
22:45. Parma vs. Torino
Serie A standings after the opening match of Matchday 7
1. Inter – 16
2. Lazio – 16
3. Roma – 14
4. Frosinone – 13
5. Cagliari – 13
6. Milan – 12
7. Juventus – 11
8. Como – 11
9. Napoli – 10
10. Atalanta – 9
11. Sassuolo – 8
12. Torino – 7
13. Lecce – 6
14. Bologna – 5
15. Udinese – 4
16. Monza – 4
17. Genoa – 4
18. Parma – 4
19. Fiorentina – 4
20. Venezia – 0
