Serie A is back with a midweek round of matches after a weekend in which Inter again won late at San Siro, this time against Fiorentina. Inter, coached by Cristian Chivu, sit at the top of the standings alongside Lazio. On Saturday they will meet AC Milan in the first Derby della Madonnina of the season.
Both Milan clubs have league games to play before then. Inter travel to Venezia on Wednesday, while AC Milan host Bologna at San Siro on the same day.
One of the most significant fixtures comes on Thursday, when Fiorentina face Atalanta. The match could shape the future of Atalanta coach Maurizio Sarri, the former Napoli and Lazio manager. Several rumors have circulated about a possible dismissal after his team drew at home with Frosinone and struggled in the early weeks of the campaign. Atalanta will be chasing a win, but Fiorentina under Paolo Vanoli showed encouraging signs even in their stoppage-time loss to Inter. The Viola need points soon, and the game looks like an important test for both clubs.
Juventus are also in the spotlight. The Bianconeri remain in a difficult spell, yet their 2-0 victory at Lecce on Sunday has eased some of the pressure on coach Luciano Spalletti. American midfielder Weston McKennie scored his first goal of the season in that match. Juventus are still dealing with numerous injuries and defensive problems, but things appear to be improving slowly. Their trip to Genoa on Wednesday offers another measure of their ambitions.
Another American, Christian Pulisic, is the story of the week. The forward played well against Udinese and scored his second goal of the season for AC Milan. He now has two important games ahead, one against Bologna and, above all, the derby against Inter on Saturday. That match could become a pivotal point in his season, and he will want to show that the positive signs from the weekend were no fluke.
The Tuesday, Oct. 27 slate features Sassuolo against Lazio at 1:30 p.m., followed by AS Roma against Cagliari and Torino against Como, both at 3:45 p.m. All of the matches are available on Paramount+.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, AC Milan host Bologna, Venezia take on Inter, and Parma play Udinese, all at 1:30 p.m. Genoa against Juventus and Monza against Napoli follow at 3:45 p.m.
The round concludes on Thursday, Oct. 29, with Frosinone against Lecce at 1:30 p.m. and Fiorentina against Atalanta at 3:45 p.m. Every fixture in the round streams on Paramount+.
