Serie A

Juventus is the Manchester United of Italian soccer; rich in history but utterly clueless when success is not on its side. After a dominant 3-0 win over Sassuolo in Match Week 1, Juventus traveled to Sampdoria on Monday and slumped back to the dreadful, sleep-inducing tactical performance fans have come to expect from Massimiliano Allegri’s side. As a result, many have taken to Twitter using #AllegriOut to voice their frustration.

With nine successive Serie A titles followed by two campaigns where Champions League qualification seemed a shallow silver lining, Juventus’ fall from grace has been clear to see in recent years. This summer has seen several big names depart Turin, and the Bianconeri will be hard-pressed to find adequate replacements in order to once again fight for the Scudetto.

Serie A returned last week and goals came standard along with a healthy dose of drama. Inter scraped past newly promoted Lecce thanks to a 95th-minute goal by Denzel Dumfries, Dušan Vlahović and Ante Rebić both scored twice, and Napoli thrashed Verona 5-2 to go top of the league from the off.

This week, expect more of the same as most big-name clubs take on lesser-known opposition with a few exceptions, all on Paramount+.

After two games played in the Premier League season, Christian Pulisic has managed to play 33 minutes. There has been speculation Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel doesn’t trust the young American, and with a World Cup just months away, game time will be important. Many clubs have been linked with Pulisic, but finding the right fit is easier said than done.

This weekend, Serie A kicks off following a transfer window that changed the dynamic of the entire league. Former favorites have failed to impress while good investments have helped others emerge as contenders. 

A relatively unassuming first weekend of games gives way to a title fight that has the potential to include as many as five clubs. Relegation will be a trap door that many will need to be aware of, including some relatively big teams. 

A well-oiled defense can be the difference between going out in the group stage and winning a tournament. Scoring four goals in a game is well and good until you turn around are realize the other team scored five. Every successful team needs to be able to keep the ball out of its own net. Defending is an art, and at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, many artists will be on display, putting their bodies on the line to ensure their team advances to the next round. But not all defenders are created equal.