Serie A Round 2: AC Milan Needs to Integrate New Signings, Inter Milan's Defense Still Asleep?

The second round of Serie A fixtures began early on August 25, with both Milan clubs looking to bounce back from disappointing draws in their respective opening matches. AC Milan and Inter Milan each drew 2-2, with defensive lapses playing a significant role in their results. For AC Milan, questions loom over when their new defensive signings will make their debut, while Inter Milan must hope that a week of adjustments has helped them regain their defensive composure. Let’s delve into the matchups for these two storied clubs as they prepare for Round 2.

Parma vs. AC Milan: When Will the New Defenders Step In?

The opening round of Serie A saw five draws in as many matches, with Parma and AC Milan being no exceptions. Newly promoted Parma, winners of last season's Serie B, have returned to the top flight after three seasons away. In their first match back, Parma made full use of their home-field advantage against Fiorentina, holding their own from start to finish. They repeatedly threatened Fiorentina's goal with long-range efforts and finally broke through in the 23rd minute with a delightful curled finish from Romanian international Dennis Man.

The game continued to swing back and forth, with both sides creating good chances. However, Fiorentina eventually equalized in the 75th minute, with Cristiano Biraghi scoring a powerful, curling free-kick from the right side of the box. Parma's goalkeeper, Ayane Suzuki, completely misjudged the trajectory of the ball and was left helpless, kneeling as the ball sailed into the net. Yes, this is the same Suzuki who impressed in the Asian Cup earlier this year for Japan. He spent last season on loan at Sint-Truiden in Belgium, where his statistics were less than stellar. It's unclear what exactly attracted Parma to sign him.

For AC Milan, their first match was a mixed bag. On the positive side, Álvaro Morata's debut goal was a huge boost for fans, and the team's ability to claw back from a two-goal deficit to secure a draw showcased their resilience. However, serious issues remain in defense. If Milan is to perform well in both the Champions League and Serie A this season, they will need their new signings to start making an impact as soon as possible.

To date, Milan has spent on five new players this summer, four of whom are defenders, in addition to Morata. Yet, none of these new defenders featured in the opening game. This begs the question: What is manager Paulo Fonseca waiting for? Parma, meanwhile, has previously played three seasons in Serie A since their latest promotion and have a modest record against Milan: two draws and four defeats. Milan clearly holds the psychological upper hand and is expected to operate at around 20% of their capacity, compared to Parma's 10%, in this encounter.

Inter Milan vs. Lecce: Whose Defense Will Find Its Footing First?

Both Milan clubs opened their campaigns with 2-2 draws, leaving fans across forums relatively quiet, given the circumstances. Compared to AC Milan, Inter Milan's draw seemed more acceptable to their supporters. After all, Genoa showed a strong defensive performance last season and even managed to hold Inter to a draw before. However, conceding an equalizer in stoppage time still left a bitter taste for Inter fans.

Last season, Inter boasted the fewest goals conceded in Serie A, but they have yet to demonstrate the same defensive focus this year. Both goals conceded were due to basic errors. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer misjudged his position relative to the goal on the first goal; he aimed to catch the ball but ended up pushing it against the crossbar, allowing an easy tap-in for the opposition. The second goal was even more elementary, a foolish handball by defender Federico Dimarco in the penalty area.

Lecce, on the other hand, suffered a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Atalanta in their opening match. Despite scoring the second-fewest goals in the league last season, Lecce managed to stay up largely thanks to their solid defensive record. But their performance against Atalanta was anything but solid; even simple crosses from the wings seemed enough to break Lecce’s defense apart. Even when their goalkeeper managed to save the initial shot, the defenders showed a complete lack of awareness in clearing the second balls. Hopefully, the “Little Peppers,” as Lecce is affectionately known, can find their footing soon.

Last season, Inter comprehensively outclassed Lecce, winning both encounters by an aggregate score of 6-0. However, the reigning champions' backline currently appears to be as out of sorts as Lecce's, leaving plenty of room for unpredictability in this matchup. Lecce is expected to perform at roughly 10% of their potential, while Inter is expected to be at 20% as they host the game at San Siro.

AC Milan’s Defensive Dilemma: New Faces or the Same Struggles?

The focus for AC Milan will undoubtedly be on how quickly they can integrate their new defensive signings. Paulo Fonseca, a manager known for his dynamic tactical setups, now faces a decision: stick with the old guard who failed to deliver in the opener, or risk throwing his new recruits into the fray earlier than anticipated. Milan’s backline was exposed several times in the first match, and it's clear that reinforcements were brought in for a reason.

Morata’s debut goal is a positive sign for the Rossoneri's attack, but Milan must find the right balance at the back. Defensive signings like Marcos Senesi, Fabiano Parisi, and others will need to step up quickly to fortify a leaky defense if Milan hopes to challenge for the Scudetto and advance in the Champions League. Their ability to do so will likely define the trajectory of their season.

Parma, meanwhile, may seek to exploit Milan’s ongoing defensive confusion. With a home crowd behind them and the confidence gained from their performance against Fiorentina, they could be poised to capitalize on any mistakes by Milan’s unsettled defense. However, Milan's psychological advantage over Parma, combined with their superior squad depth, suggests that they have the upper hand going into this fixture.

Inter Milan’s Defensive Woes: A Temporary Blip or a Sign of Trouble?

For Inter, the priority is regaining defensive solidity. Simone Inzaghi’s side cannot afford another performance marked by lapses in concentration and basic errors. The mistake by Sommer and Dimarco in the opening match were uncharacteristic but not entirely surprising, given the disrupted pre-season preparations and the fact that key players were missing.

The week of adjustments has provided Inzaghi and his team time to reflect and recalibrate. However, if they are to mount a serious title defense, they must start showing the kind of defensive resilience that saw them concede the fewest goals in Serie A last season. Against Lecce, who are still licking their wounds from their opening-day hammering, Inter has a prime opportunity to put things right.

Yet, Lecce should not be underestimated. Though they were dismantled by Atalanta, they will be desperate to bounce back and prove that their defensive solidity last season was no fluke. Playing at San Siro, however, they face a daunting challenge. If Inter can sharpen their focus and avoid the errors that cost them in the opener, they should secure a convincing win. Still, the unpredictability of early-season form means there are no guarantees.

As Round 2 of Serie A unfolds, both Milan clubs face different but equally challenging tests. For AC Milan, it's about speeding up the integration of new defensive signings to stabilize the backline. For Inter, it’s about shaking off the cobwebs and refocusing on what made them so formidable last season. The answers to these challenges could define not only their season but also the balance of power in Serie A.