Shooting Inter. Saturday in Serie A reveals itself in strong Nerazzurri colors, with Inzaghi's men who, as expected, win the home debut against Spezia and take the lead of the standings with full points. The success, comfortable enough (3-0, goals from Lautaro, Calhanoglu and Correa), made Inter smile for various reasons: first of all the performance, at times dominant, then the clean sheet, the first of this unusually difficult summer from a defensive point of view (just a case that happened after Skriniar's official confirmation?), finally, last but not least, forcing Milan to respond in the same way against Atalanta, in a match that certainly promises to be less calm.
Atalanta-Milan (20.45 pm, Dazn)
The big match of the day, in fact, is certainly that of Bergamo, where Gasperini's Atalanta will receive reigning champion Milan. Difficult match to decipher, a bit like this year's Goddess, a match with less credit than in the recent past and yet always able to create problems, especially in the 90'. The Rossoneri, for obvious reasons, start as favourites, provided however that they don't show the amnesia seen against Udinese: in fact, at the Gewiss Stadium, a performance with few (very few) flaws will be needed.
Pioli: "Important test to understand where we are"
“It is an important test to understand where we are at, a direct clash, to be faced in the best possible way – confirmed Pioli in the press conference -. It will take organization, determination, physicality and that quality that makes you win games. Last season brought us great experience and enthusiasm, here we are only in the second season of the championship after which a tour de force will begin. We are ready, we have a large and stronger squad than last year, even if there is the will to still seize some opportunities on the market”. The Devil always needs a midfielder and a central defender, but the bulk of the budget has gone for De Ketelaere: the missing boxes (Onyedika from Midtjylland and Diallo from PSG) will only be filled under the right conditions.
Gasperini: "It's not a direct clash, they're aiming for the Scudetto"
Atalanta is also in the middle of the market, especially after the revelations of Malinovskyi, now close to leaving Bergamo to settle in the Premier League. Gasperini also expressed his opinion on the sale, the subject of great debate among the Nerazzurri, suggesting that the decision has now been made. “He was extraordinary with us, but it's only right that Atalanta look for players who can score more than 6 goals a year – explained the coach in no uncertain terms -. It is right that in the market you look for the most suitable characteristics for your game. Now let's think about Milan, even if it seems excessive to consider it a direct match: Atalanta's objectives do not depend on this match. We will certainly do everything to play our best game, but let's not forget that Milan are playing for the Scudetto…".
Atalanta-Milan, the formations: Gasp finds Demiral and Zappacosta, Pioli recovers Tonali
Few changes compared to the first day, but still significant. Pioli should confirm the line-up already seen against Udinese en bloc, with one more Tonali and one less Krunic (left hamstring strain, 3-4 weeks off), as well as Gasperini, who won't touch anything despite the recoveries by Demiral and Zappacosta (both will start from the bench). The Rossoneri 4-2-3-1 will thus see Maignan in goal, Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori and Hernandez in defense, Tonali and Bennacer in midfield, Messias, Diaz and Leao in the frontline, Rebic in attack. Classic 3-4-2-1 also for Atalanta, who will respond with Musso in goal, Toloi, Okoli and Djimsiti in the back, Hateboer, De Roon, Koopmeiners and Maehle in the midfield, Pasalic and Lookman behind the only Zapata tip.
Naples-Monza (18.30 pm, Dazn)
The other big challenge on Sunday is that of Maradona, where an unprecedented (at least in Serie A) Napoli-Monza will be staged. The spotlights are obviously on the Azzurri, who in the last week, thanks to the good victory in Verona and, above all, the signings of Raspadori, Simeone and Ndombelé, have gone from post-sale depression to general enthusiasm, both among the fans and among the insiders. Now there are many who think that Spalletti's team can even have its say for the Scudetto, as demonstrated by the fact that over 40 tickets have already been sold.
Spalletti: "There's satisfaction, but now we need to become a team"
The climate has returned very positive and the blue coach, after months of opposite tenor, wants to ride it to make the most of it. “The fact that fans and insiders like the latest moves can help us become a team faster, we want to be as strong as last year – he confirmed in the press conference-. We have a duty to be a strong team with a group that always trains at a balanced level, there is less experience and personalities than before, in the Champions League and in the national team, but we will have to fight to regain everything on the pitch. The company has done a great job on the market with attention to finances, also working in perspective ".
Napoli-Monza, the formations: Spalletti confirms the trident Lozano-Osimhen-Kvaratskhelia
The time to see the latest signings at work will come soon, but in the meantime Spalletti will confirm the Bentegodi team as a whole, spectacular from the waist up but reviewable in the defensive phase. Today's 4-3-3 will be made up of Meret in goal (the club still continues to deal with Keylor Navas), Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim and Mario Rui in defense, Anguissa, Lobotka and Zielinski in midfield, Lozano, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in attack. Prohibitive match, at least on paper, for Monza di Stroppa, who however wants to at least try to annoy the Azzurri. The Brianza players will take the field with the usual 3-5-2, therefore Di Gregorio between the posts, Marlon, Pablo Marì and Carboni in the back, Birindelli, Filippo Ranocchia, Barberis, Sensi and D'Alessandro in the midfield, Caprari and the ex Petagna offensive couple.
