No sooner has the cork been popped on the new Serie A season than it’s been rammed straight back in again, the fizz flattened by that most reliable of killjoys – the September international break.
And so, with the club game mothballed until mid-September, here’s a brisk rummage through the highs and lows of Matchday 2
The Crem of the crop
After defeating AC Milan for a dream start to the season, Cremonese continued their flying start with a 3-2 thriller against Sassuolo, snatching a 93rd-minute winner in a finish that sent the fans into delirium. Filippo Terracciano and Franco Vázquez sent Davide Nicola’s side charging into the lead with a rapid first-half double, only for Sassuolo to regain parity via Andrea Pinamonti and a Domenico Berardi penalty.
Yet it was Manuel De Luca who made himself the home hero, coolly slotting a stoppage-time spot-kick to preserve a flawless start for Cremonese and propel them to third in the table – a position that, for many, would have seemed laughably optimistic. And with Jamie Vardy signed on to bolster their attack, a Lombary-Vardy party could keep the momentum rolling forward.
Inter ousted by impressive Udinese
After an impressive 5-0 hammering of Torino to kick off their season, it was jarring to see Inter Milan struggle for the same clinical edge against a spirited Udinese, falling 2-1 at San Siro.
Denzel Dumfries struck early for Inter, after great build-up play and an assist from Marcus Thuram, but Englishman Keinan Davis equalised from the spot for the away side after a Dumfries handball, It was Arthur Atta’s strike that proved decisive, curling a beautiful shot inside the far post to give Udinese a lead they deserved for their first-half display. The home side pressed and probed in the second half, but their challenge ultimately wilted as Udinese proved unbreakable in defence.
Napoli leave it late to break Cagliari resistance
Napoli secured a dramatic 1–0 win over Cagliari at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with Frank Anguissa scoring five minutes into second half stoppage time. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Napoli struggled to break down a resolute Cagliari defence.
Napoli had the clearest of chances, especially in the first half, but the Sardinians’ back line continued to frustrate. Scott McTominay almost grabbed the headlines with a spectacular overhead kick from close range that was deflected wide. But right at the death, the champions pounced as Alessandro Buongiorno delivered a pinpoint cross, allowing Frank Anguissa to slot home the decisive goal from twelve yards out. This victory maintains Napoli’s perfect start to the season, despite not being at their best in either game so far.
What happened elsewhere?
Lazio and AC Milan both secured victories to bounce back from their opening-day defeats, with Lazio putting four goals past Verona and Milan defeating Lecce 2-0. Bologna, Roma, and Juventus all earned 1-0 wins. Parma held Atalanta to a 1-1 draw, whilst Fiorentina and Torino played out the weekend’s only stalemate.
Serie A Matchday 2 results
( ) = League position
- (10) Bologna 1–0 Como (9)
- (3) Cremonese 3–2 Sassuolo (20)
- (15) Genoa 0–1 Juventus (2)
- (6) Inter Milan 1–2 Udinese (5)
- (7) Lazio 4–0 Verona (18)
- (17) Lecce 0–2 AC Milan (8)
- (1) Napoli 1–0 Cagliari (14)
- (16) Parma 1–1 Atalanta (11)
- (13) Pisa 0–1 Roma (4)
- (19) Torino 0–0 Fiorentina (12)
