Gasp's Inter hoodoo, sackings, Milan signs: 5 Serie A questions 👀 | OneFootball

It’s the most eagerly awaited match of this early part of the season: Roma-Inter. On Saturday at 6 p.m., the two league leaders face off at the Olimpico, with sole possession of top spot on the line just before the international break.

Watch the entire Serie BKT live with LaB Channel on OneFootball: subscribe for just €9.99 a month!

That is undoubtedly the main event, but there are plenty of storylines surrounding Serie A Matchday 5.

⚔️ Will Gasp break the Inter taboo?

Ten straight defeats, with the last win coming on November 11, 2018. Over the years, Gasperini has climbed many mountains, first with Atalanta and then with Roma, but so far he has never managed to beat Inter.

So Saturday brings a double challenge for him, with the Nerazzurri representing for him what kryptonite is to Superman. The feeling, though, is that this time more than ever the matchup between the two teams is an even one, and not just because of what the table says...

🤔 Who will finally get going between Juve and Milan?

The former host Atalanta, while the Rossoneri welcome Lecce. On paper, Amorim certainly has the easier task, but he is coming off a heavy Europa League defeat against Benfica and is beginning to feel the first signs of discontent around the club. Lecce, meanwhile, are fresh from a win over Monza which, together with the one against Venezia, has brought more than a few smiles to Di Francesco.

Juventus, on the other hand, enjoyed a night reminiscent of the old days yesterday, one that restored good spirits at the Stadium. But watch out, because Atalanta cannot afford a third straight defeat and head to Turin to shore up Sarri’s position as well.

🙅‍♂️ Cuesta and De Rossi: is the loser out?

Huge points are at stake in Parma, where the Emilians are preparing to host Genoa. It may already be a decisive match for the futures of Cuesta and De Rossi. The loser, in fact, could be staring at the end credits.

One point in the table for both, play that is struggling to take off, and two squads, especially the yellow-and-blue one, that do not seem equipped to let their fans sleep easy.

🔥 Can Lazio dream of top spot, or will Venezia earn their 1st point?

On one side there is an unbeaten Lazio, coming off a draw with Milan and probably the real surprise of this start to the season; on the other, a Venezia side in major difficulty. At the Penzo, Gattuso is dreaming of joining the leaders, which would be possible if Roma-Inter ends level. 

Saturday night’s match, however, is make-or-break for Stroppa, who is putting everything on the line. If he loses, and perhaps even if he draws, the promotion-winning coach is headed for the sack. Could that be an extra motivational boost for the Lagunari?

💪 First points for Palladino?

Bologna were the ones unwilling to wait until the break to make a change, as they showed Tedesco the door during the week and moved quickly to bring in Palladino. So on Saturday, the coach will make his debut on the Rossoblù bench at home against Torino.

On paper it is a manageable match, especially considering that a coaching change has historically often produced immediate results. There will certainly be time to work on the team during the break, but starting with a win would already be a very positive sign.

🤷‍♂️ Will Napoli stop Fiorentina’s rise?

A truly fascinating clash awaits at the Franchi. In the season’s first lunch match, Fiorentina host Max Allegri’s Napoli. La Viola have revved the engine back up since Vanoli arrived, comfortably beating both Venezia in the league and Pisa in the Coppa Italia.

The test against Napoli, however, will be far more complicated. After three straight defeats against Como, Inter and Arsenal, they bounced back against Bologna. After Roma-Inter, it is surely the most intriguing match of the weekend.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 FILIPPO MONTEFORTE - AFP or licensors