Serie A Round 3: AC Milan’s New Signings Shine, Napoli’s New Manager Impresses, and Rome’s Giants Face Early Season Trouble

The third round of Serie A continued in the early hours of September 2nd, with AC Milan’s new signings delivering top-tier performances on both ends of the pitch, signaling their ability to challenge reigning champions Napoli. Meanwhile, Napoli, despite undergoing a managerial change over the summer, have started the season strongly, setting the stage for an intense title race. However, it’s a different story for the Roman clubs, as both AS Roma and Lazio have struggled in the early stages, raising questions about their ability to recover from their defensive woes under José Mourinho and Maurizio Sarri, respectively.

AS Roma vs. AC Milan - Mourinho’s Return to the Sidelines

AS Roma’s start to the season has been disappointing, with the Giallorossi collecting just one point from their first two matches while conceding four goals—an uncharacteristically porous defense for a team managed by the typically resolute José Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician, known for his defensive acumen, has been absent from the touchline for the first two games due to a suspension carried over from last season. Watching from the stands, his inability to directly influence proceedings has been evident, as Roma’s performances have lacked the intensity and organization typically associated with Mourinho-led teams.

Mourinho’s return to the dugout for this crucial fixture against AC Milan is eagerly anticipated by the Roma faithful, but the pressure is mounting. The Special One’s future could be in jeopardy if results don’t improve quickly. Despite Andrea Belotti scoring twice in the season opener, he has never been Mourinho’s first-choice striker. The arrival of Romelu Lukaku has sparked excitement among the fans, as the Belgian striker showed flashes of his dominance in Serie A during the latter part of last season. However, it remains to be seen whether Lukaku’s presence will be enough to pull Roma out of their current slump.

Mourinho’s recent comments have also raised eyebrows, as he lamented the difficulty in attracting top talent to Roma despite the club’s ambition. “The players who performed well last season don’t want to come to Roma,” Mourinho remarked, hinting at the challenges he faces in building a squad capable of competing at the highest level. This sentiment casts a shadow over the arrivals of Renato Sanches and Lukaku—both talented players, but their signings have not immediately transformed the team’s fortunes.

On the other hand, AC Milan fans, though still healing from the shock of Paolo Maldini’s departure, have found reasons for optimism in the early performances of their new signings. Tijjani Reijnders and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have quickly endeared themselves to the Rossoneri faithful, almost making the absence of the injured Ismaël Bennacer and the departed Sandro Tonali feel less impactful. Christian Pulisic, another of Milan’s summer acquisitions, has also made an instant impact, scoring twice in his first two appearances. With Milan securing back-to-back victories to start the season, there is a growing sense of cautious optimism among the fanbase, tempered by the memory of last season’s mid-term struggles when the aging frontline faltered as the campaign wore on.

Last season, Milan’s form deteriorated after a strong start, largely due to the decline of their veteran forwards. With Olivier Giroud now another year older and Zlatan Ibrahimović having retired, much depends on how quickly new striker Noah Okafor can adapt to Serie A. If he struggles, Milan could face similar issues later in the season. However, at the moment, Milan are flying high, and with Roma’s defensive issues compounded by Lukaku’s lack of match fitness—having only trained individually prior to his move—Milan are well-placed to take advantage. A 2-0 victory for the visitors at the Stadio Olimpico seems a likely outcome.

Napoli vs. Lazio - Garcia’s Strong Start

Napoli’s new manager, Rudi Garcia, is already making his mark, as the Partenopei have started the season in impressive fashion. Despite the ongoing speculation regarding Victor Osimhen’s future, the Nigerian striker’s professionalism has been beyond reproach. In Napoli’s recent match against Sassuolo, it was Osimhen’s penalty that set Napoli on course for victory, highlighting his importance to the team even amid transfer rumors.

When Garcia was appointed as Napoli’s manager, many fans were skeptical about whether he could replicate the success of his predecessor, Luciano Spalletti. However, two rounds into the season, Napoli are leading the league in shots on target and have allowed the fewest shots on target against them—a testament to Garcia’s early impact. If Napoli can maintain this form throughout the season, Garcia’s accomplishments might surpass even those of Spalletti, who led the club to their first Scudetto in over three decades last season. Retaining the title is always more challenging than winning it initially, but if Garcia can lead Napoli to back-to-back championships, it would be a remarkable achievement, placing him alongside Spalletti in the annals of the club’s history.

In contrast, Lazio’s start to the season has been shaky, leaving many wondering if the team can replicate their strong performance from last season when they finished as Serie A runners-up. Lazio’s defense was a key factor in their success last year, conceding just 30 goals across 38 matches—a defensive record only slightly worse than Napoli’s. However, the departure of veteran defender Francesco Acerbi to Inter Milan has left a noticeable void at the back. In their season opener, Lazio conceded two late goals to lose against Lecce, and they followed that up by allowing Genoa to score within the first 20 minutes of their next match. Without Acerbi, the likes of Alessio Romagnoli and the rest of Lazio’s backline have struggled to maintain the solidity that defined their campaign last year.

Last season, these two teams split their head-to-head matchups, with each side winning away from home. However, given their current form, it’s difficult to see Lazio posing a significant threat to Napoli this time around. The defending champions, under Garcia’s leadership, are poised to continue their strong start with a 2-0 victory over Lazio, further solidifying their credentials as title contenders.

The Roman Clubs in Crisis

The early stages of the season have not been kind to the two clubs from the Italian capital. Roma and Lazio, both struggling to find their footing, face the daunting task of turning their seasons around before it’s too late. Mourinho and Sarri, two of the most experienced and decorated coaches in Serie A, now find themselves under pressure to deliver results and restore their teams’ defensive solidity.

For Roma, the return of Mourinho to the sidelines could inject some much-needed urgency and discipline into the squad. However, the question remains whether the Portuguese manager can reinvigorate a team that has looked lethargic and vulnerable at the back. The arrival of Lukaku offers a potential solution up front, but without a more robust defense, Roma’s ambitions this season could quickly unravel.

Lazio, meanwhile, must address their defensive frailties if they hope to challenge for a top-four finish again. The absence of Acerbi has exposed the team’s lack of depth in defense, and unless Sarri can find a way to tighten things up at the back, Lazio’s campaign could be derailed before it even begins.

As Serie A enters its third round, the stakes are already high for these two storied clubs. The battles on the pitch are not just about securing three points but about setting the tone for the rest of the season. For Milan and Napoli, the early signs are promising, but for Roma and Lazio, the road ahead looks fraught with challenges.