Serie A Round 2 Preview: Napoli’s Uphill Battle to Retain Talent, Juventus Steady and Ready

The second round of Serie A action continues on August 28, as reigning champions Napoli face Sassuolo, and Juventus takes on Bologna. Both matches have significant implications, with Napoli trying to maintain their squad amidst transfer market challenges, while Juventus looks to build on their strong start with a squad that now seems settled.

Napoli vs. Sassuolo: The Champion’s Struggle to Retain Their Crown

Napoli’s Serie A title defense has been met with numerous challenges, most notably in the transfer market, where their attempts to strengthen the squad have yielded little success. The departure of key players and the constant rumors surrounding others, particularly Victor Osimhen, have left fans anxious about the team’s ability to retain their title. The recent pursuit of Gabri Veiga, a promising 21-year-old midfielder from Celta Vigo, ended in disappointment as the player opted for a more lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League. This outcome has further dampened expectations, with many fans now hoping that the club can at least hold on to their existing stars rather than bring in new talent.

Napoli’s opening match of the season, however, showed glimpses of their championship pedigree. Facing Frosinone, the Serie B champions, Napoli found themselves trailing just seven minutes into the game after conceding a penalty. Despite this early setback, Napoli demonstrated their resilience, dominating the match thereafter and securing a comeback victory. Frosinone’s penalty was their only shot on target, as Napoli’s defense held firm and their attack, led by Osimhen, took control. The Nigerian striker remains the focal point of transfer speculation, but for now, he continues to deliver on the pitch, much to the relief of Napoli supporters.

Sassuolo, meanwhile, has found life increasingly difficult in Serie A. As a mid-table team that has punched above its weight in recent years, Sassuolo’s performances have come under greater scrutiny. Their opening match against Atalanta ended in a 2-0 defeat, despite the Neroverdi enjoying a slight advantage in possession and chances created. The loss extended Sassuolo’s winless run in Serie A to seven games, a streak that has left them languishing near the bottom of the table. The days of riding on the coattails of former coach Roberto De Zerbi’s success are fading, and the team’s current form suggests they are far from challenging the top teams in the league.

Napoli’s recent dominance over Sassuolo further compounds the visitors’ woes. Sassuolo has lost their last three encounters with Napoli, and with the Partenopei playing at home and still retaining the services of Osimhen, another defeat seems likely. Napoli is expected to win this match convincingly, with a 3-0 scoreline being a realistic prediction as they look to keep pace at the top of the table.

Juventus vs. Bologna: Finding Stability Amidst Uncertainty

Juventus began their Serie A campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Udinese, a result that has already sparked optimism among the Bianconeri faithful. Unlike last season, where Juventus was plagued by off-field issues and inconsistent performances, this year’s team appears more focused and united. The speculation surrounding the potential departure of key players like Dusan Vlahovic has subsided, with the Serbian striker now expected to remain in Turin following Romelu Lukaku’s move to Roma. Vlahovic, alongside the fit-again Federico Chiesa, played a crucial role in the opening day win, linking up beautifully to score the first goal just two minutes into the match.

Chiesa’s early strike set the tone for Juventus, who continued to dominate throughout the first half, adding two more goals before the break to effectively seal the win. Coach Massimiliano Allegri, now in his second stint with the club, marked his 250th win as Juventus manager in all competitions, a milestone that highlights his experience and tactical acumen. With no European commitments this season, Allegri’s focus will be entirely on reclaiming the Serie A title, a task that seems within reach given the strength and depth of his squad.

In contrast, Bologna’s start to the season has been anything but smooth. Their opening match against AC Milan ended in a 2-0 defeat, with the team conceding twice within the first 20 minutes. The departure of star striker Marko Arnautović to Inter Milan has left a significant void in Bologna’s attack, one that has yet to be filled. Joshua Zirkzee, the 22-year-old Dutch forward signed from Bayern Munich last season, is expected to step up, but his limited impact so far—just two goals and two assists in 19 appearances—has raised questions about whether he can truly replace Arnautović’s contributions.

Thiago Motta, Bologna’s head coach, now faces the challenge of integrating Zirkzee into the starting lineup and finding a way to reignite his team’s offense. However, with such a young and inexperienced forward leading the line, it’s unlikely that Bologna will be able to replicate their consistent mid-table finishes of recent years without further reinforcement. Their poor recent record against Juventus, whom they haven’t beaten since 2011, only adds to the uphill battle they face this weekend.

Bologna’s last victory over Juventus was over a decade ago, when current sporting director Marco Di Vaio scored twice to secure a famous win. Now, Di Vaio and Motta are tasked with rebuilding the team, a process that will likely take time and patience. In the meantime, Juventus is expected to capitalize on Bologna’s transitional period and secure another three points. A 2-0 victory for the Bianconeri seems the most probable outcome, as they continue their pursuit of a return to Serie A glory.