The Malta Independent 15 May 2024, Wednesday
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5 things to know about Serie A

Malta Independent Saturday, 28 September 2013, 08:11 Last update: about 11 years ago

Five things to know about the sixth round of the Serie A as leader Roma hosts Bologna, looking to maintain its perfect start, while Napoli and Juventus also hope to remain unbeaten as they keep up the pressure on the capital club:

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RELENTLESS ROMA

Following the midweek round, Roma is the only team in the league still perfect. The 2-0 victory at Sampdoria also marked the first time the club has won its five opening fixtures and the team was greeted by more than 100 fans on its return to Rome on Thursday.

Under new coach Rudi Garcia, Roma has adopted a more disciplined approach and conceded just one goal — against 12 scored. Captain Francesco Totti, who turns 37 on Friday, and Daniele De Rossi seem to be enjoying a new lease of life.

Next up for Roma is Bologna, which is still reeling after two late Rossoneri goals saw it held to 3-3 by AC Milan. Garcia will have to watch from the stands after being sent off against Samp.

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NOT PERFECT NAPOLI

Napoli was held to a draw by bottom club Sassuolo on Wednesday to lose its perfect record. Rafa Benitez was clearly dissatisfied and criticized his players for a huge number of mistakes all across the pitch, throughout the game. Napoli has a chance to swiftly amend for its performance against Genoa on Saturday. Genoa has won only one of its opening matches and has just four points from five games.

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COMEBACK KINGS MILAN

AC Milan again scored two goals in the dying minutes to rescue a 3-3 draw at Bologna, just as it had done against Torino. Massimiliano Allegri's team sits 12th in the table with five points from as many matches and just one victory. Allegri has promised the team will be in a different position before the winter break and he will hope to have more of his injury-hit squad available to him as soon as possible.

Striker Stephan El Shaarawy could be back for Saturday's visit of Sampdoria, while Riccardo Montolivo and Mattia De Sciglio may be fit for Tuesday's Champions League match at Ajax. Kaka, Giampaolo Pazzini and Matias Silvestre are still out. Forward Mario Balotelli sits out the second of a three-match ban.

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ABJECT JUVENTUS

Juventus managed to grind out another victory to remain two points behind league leader Roma but there are still reasons for concern following Wednesday's narrow 2-1 win against Chievo Verona. For the fourth straight match Juventus failed to dominate and it needed the help of a controversial disallowed Chievo goal to secure victory. It was also the fourth successive match in which Juventus has conceded first.

The two-time defending champion has yet to fire, which gives city rival Torino added cause for optimism for their derby match on Sunday.

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SASSUOLO

It has been a mixed few days for Sassuolo. The newly promoted side lost 7-0 at home to Inter Milan on Sunday, but followed that up by securing its first ever Serie A point against Napoli. Simone Zaza has both of Sassuolo's goals this season. Next up is another tricky match, against Lazio, which eased to a 3-1 victory over Catania to help dispel the pain of last weekend's derby defeat to Roma.

 
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