If we look at the current Serie A table, as well as the results so far, it is clear that the only two teams which could challenge Inter Milan for the title bid are Roma and Como. But what about other teams? To be fair, other clubs are a few points away from the leading pair and the season has just started, but they don’t seem to have strong squads to endure the full season, especially the ones which are playing in Europe too. While there are not many unknowns or doubts surrounding Inter, Roma and Como, there is plenty of curiosity surrounding Lazio, Milan, Juventus, Napoli and Atalanta.##LINKED_NEWS_69679##Of the teams mentioned, to everyone’s surprise, only Lazio have made a start that has been well above expectations. Nobody could have predicted, even with a favorable fixture list, that Lazio would find themselves at the top of the table during the first international break of the season, with a realistic chance of being above Roma in the standings after six rounds. However, the problem of empty stands remains for Gattuso and his men, especially against smaller clubs such as Monza. Despite major discounts for the matches against Monza and Parma, only 300 tickets have been sold. Lazio are in a privileged position because, in addition to not playing in the cup competitions, they will have the chance to face Juventus, who will play a Europa League match against Celta in Vigo just three days earlier, while Napoli will also be on the western edge of the continent, as they will take on Porto at the Dragao. That is why it would not be sacrilegious to say that it would come as no surprise if Lazio were still near the top of the table during the next international break.##LINKED_NEWS_69562##In Milan, everyone is expecting Goncalo Ramos to finally click, while the three-week break should also have been useful for Ruben Amorim to get a clearer picture of the squad at his disposal — in other words, what he can expect from his players and how much each of them can contribute. The Rossoneri have a moderately difficult schedule over the next month, as they will face ever-tricky Sassuolo, followed by a meeting with a wounded and therefore even more dangerous Atalanta. Before the derby against Inter, they will also play Udinese and Bologna. In between those matches are Europa League fixtures against Salzburg, Bournemouth and Ferencvaros.##LINKED_NEWS_69394##Juventus and Napoli have by far the largest number of injured players, as well as major problems with their strikers’ efficiency. Luciano Spalletti and Massimiliano Allegri already have more than ten injuries on their lists, including key players for both teams. Juve will be without Kenan Yıldız until mid-November, Manuel Locatelli will not return until February or March, while Khephren Thuram will not be available until 2027. Jeremy Boga is expected back in November. They must also add the injuries to Randal Kolo Muani, Weston McKennie, Andrea Cambiaso, Federico Gatti and others.##LINKED_NEWS_69479##The situation is no better at Castel Volturno. The biggest blow was the absence of Scott McTominay, who has since undergone a heart procedure and is expected to receive the “green light” from the relevant authorities today to return to the pitch. In addition to the Scotland international, Buongiorno, Alisson, Anguissa, Fazzouli, Giovane, Marianucci, Meret and Spinazzola are also sidelined, while Vergara was injured in his most recent appearance for the national team. Aside from the injuries, Spalletti is even more concerned about the strikers’ output: Nick Woltemade and Kolo Muani have been major disappointments, especially given that Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David are thriving in their new surroundings. Allegri has similar problems. Hojlund is not as clinical as he should be, while Luka has failed to make the qualitative leap required to become a reliable alternative. If they fail to solve their injury and striker problems, both Juventus and Napoli could be in for a fairly anonymous season.18:30 (3.05) Namungo FC (2.95) TRA United (2.40)
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