All roads in the title race lead to Rome. Tomorrow, at aperitivo hour, the Olimpico hosts the first dangerous clash, between the two joint leaders Roma and Inter, both on full points, as they look to close out the first stretch of the championship at the top before the long international break. Cheering for a draw, hoping to grab a share of first place, are Fabregas's champagne Como, who visit Alviti's solid Frosinone, and Gattuso's Lazio, who have what looks on paper like the easier task, away at Venezia, bottom of the table with zero points.
The round serves up two high-level fixtures in Fiorentina-Napoli and Juventus-Atalanta, as well as two particularly delicate ones: Bologna, who have parted ways with Tedesco and chosen Palladino, host Torino, and above all a Milan under pressure from Amorim who, after their shocking Europa League debut, cannot afford to slip up in the home match against Lecce.
But all eyes are on the Roma-Inter clash, a return to a top-of-the-table meeting that has often produced a feast of goals. Both sides are prolific scorers once again (13 to 12 in Chivu's favour), while Gasp has the best defence. But Roma fans are keeping their fingers crossed, because the head-to-head record tilts decisively in the Nerazzurri's favour. Roma's last win dates back four years, a 2-1 at San Siro with Mourinho serving a ban, goals from Dybala and Smalling. At the Olimpico the picture is even bleaker: ten years have passed since the last Roma victory there, the 2-1 in 2016 under Spalletti, settled by an Icardi own goal. Since then, three draws and six defeats. Gasperini's personal record is not much better: five wins in 36 encounters overall, the last of which was a 4-1 for Atalanta against Spalletti's Inter in 2018, with a goal from one of tomorrow's opponents, Gianluca Mancini. Dybala and Malen will look to outdo Lautaro and Thuram, and that will be no easy task. In midfield, Koné and Cristante face Zielinski and Jones, while on the flanks Wesley and Dimarco should have the upper hand. Svilar gives confidence in goal; Martínez slightly less so. It is not a decisive match, but it could certainly shape the season — more so for Roma than for the favourites Inter.
The Como formula aims to replicate their run of victories, and this time Fabregas's brigade, led by Nico Paz, wants to plunder the Ciociaria. Frosinone have little to lose but will fight hard, with their attacking pair of Raimondo and Kvernadze. A golden opportunity too for Lazio to extend their positive run after the draw with Milan, away at Venezia, a side that Stroppa cannot seem to get firing.
The two big clubs who are behind emerge from the Europa League with contrasting outlooks. Juventus are enjoying their revival (against modest NEC) and Spalletti has Nico González, Alajbegović, Woltemade and above all Kolo Muani's goals to draw on, along with the psychological boost accumulated. The test comes quickly: the Bianconeri host a difficult but still-evolving side — especially given the change of formation imposed by Sarri — in an Atalanta weighed down by two defeats.
Morale is rock bottom for Milan, roughed up by a Benfica fielding many replacements. The Rossoneri faithful are in uproar and would not accept anything less than a win against Di Francesco's Lecce, who sit on four points. For Amorim, it is already a crossroads fraught with danger.
Also very interesting is the clash between Fiorentina, who appear to have come out of their shell under Vanoli, and Allegri's Napoli, who have accumulated a gap that cannot be attributed solely to injuries. Mastantuono, Pellegrino and Nije will look to outperform Politano, Hojlund and Lang. But a third setback would be hard to swallow for Allegri, while the club's history is about to become a film. Another delicate fixture is the one involving Bologna, second from bottom, with an eager Palladino on the bench, against Abate's Torino, who came away respectably against Roma but have already lost three matches.
The biggest surprise of the championship so far is Pisacane's Cagliari, fifth in the standings with three wins, playing well, with fluidity and confidence, with Romano, Maldini and Mendy in fine form. The Sardinians will play away at Udinese, who are coming off two defeats but welcome back Zaniolo, who will once again partner Davis. A high-stakes relegation battle awaits two struggling sides level on 1 point, Cuesta's Parma and De Rossi's Genoa. The Roman manager is in immediate need of a win in order to be able to work with some peace of mind. His Spanish counterpart has more excuses, given that the Emilian club stripped him of his best players without replacing them adequately.
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