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Juventus is again within the Serie A title dialogue because it prepares to host Bologna on Sunday, a punchy new fashion of play in place for a membership seeking to bounce again from final season’s disasters.
Massimiliano Allegri’s aspect, like Italy’s three different massive boys, impressed on opening day because it gained 3-0 at Udinese and placed on the kind of aggressive, attack-minded show not often related to the conservative coach.
Federico Chiesa hailed his workforce’s “modern style of football” after blasting it into the lead after 108 seconds in Udine and eventually exhibiting indicators that his harm issues is likely to be behind him.
Allegri himself was extra circumspect in regards to the tactical modifications, keener to spotlight how Chiesa must play up entrance.
“He has to score 14-16 goals this season… he is wasted on the wing,” he mentioned.
But there was one thing new about Juve’s method, an optimism which was missing final season, even earlier than its trials and tribulations in entrance of the sporting courts ended with a 10-point penalty and a one-season ban from European soccer.
Juve scored solely 35 instances from open play final time period. Their matches had been often stodgy affairs. An early exit from the Champions League and a January thumping by the hands of Napoli underlined their limitations.
And whereas Chiesa mentioned Juve’s goal is a return to Europe’s high membership competitors, observers in Italy instantly made Juventus one of many title favourites.
With their principal rivals – Milan and reigning champion Napoli – all in transitional intervals, Juve appeared as hungry, and as succesful, as they’ve since they broke the financial institution to signal Cristiano Ronaldo.
AC Milan will greet its dwelling followers for the primary time this season towards Torino on Sunday, with the wind in its sails after its new additions made a optimistic begin final weekend.
Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders, two of 9 new faces, excelled at Bologna and there may be hope on the crimson and black aspect of Milan that it will probably attain 20 league crowns earlier than native rival Inter.
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter is at promoted Cagliari on Monday night time and likewise in excessive spirits, however probably probably the most intriguing fixture of the weekend is Fiorentina taking up Lecce – which beat Lazio on the weekend.
Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano seems set to call the identical workforce which hammered Genoa 4-1 on the opening day and made folks ponder whether the Tuscans is likely to be a darkish horse for the highest 4.
However, Brentford is making an attempt to grab away star attacker Nicolas Gonzalez after bidding over 40 million euros, a sale which would go away followers once more questioning about proprietor Rocco Commisso’s ambitions for the membership.
Player to look at: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
After lacking out on Napoli’s opening day win at Frosinone with harm, star winger Kvaratskhelia will return to motion for the champion’s dwelling debut of the marketing campaign when Sassuolo go to on Sunday night time.
Kvaratskhelia is the opposite half of a devastating attacking partnership with Victor Osimhen which drove Napoli to its first league crown since 1990.
The 22-year-old scored 14 instances and set the identical variety of targets final season and is in technique of negotiating a contract extension at Napoli.
Key stats
3: The final time Juve had been 3-0 up at half-time of their opening fixture was in towards Venezia in 2001. They gained the league that yr.
26: The variety of targets scored in an entertaining opening weekend.
Fixtures (all instances GMT)
Saturday
Monza vs Empoli – 10 PM IST
Frosinone vs Atalanta – 10 PM IST
AC Milan vs Torino – 12: 15 AM IST
Verona vs Roma – 12:15 AM IST
Sunday
Fiorentina vs Lecce – 10 PM IST
Juventus vs Bologna – 10 PM IST
Napoli vs Sassuolo – 12 AM IST
Lazio vs Genoa – 12 AM IST
Monday
Salernitana vs Udinese – 10 PM IST
Calgiari vs Inter Milan – 12: 15 AM IST
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com