Serie A Week 2: No surprises, but plenty of goals!

It may only be the second week of action in Serie A, but already things have settled into a comfortable routine. Last week, at least we had the interesting plot twist of Milan falling to newly promoted Verona. This time around, there were absolutely no surprises, except perhaps for sheer number of goals scored over the weekend. In total, 43 goals found the back of the net, with only Hellas and Torino failing to get on the board.

Without further ado or elaboration, here’s a quick rundown of what happened on the peninsula in Round 2.

Only two minutes later, Robinho created another chance for himself but only managed to hit the post. Unlike last week’s match against Verona, Milan didn’t just stop playing after they took the lead. Instead they took the novel approach of trying to score again, pushing the isolani back to their half, but didn’t manage to create many clear cut chances.

After that, Milan took control of the game, slowing the tempo. Cagliari still managed to create a few chances, in particular a late threat from that man Sau, who forced a save from Abbiati. Still, while the rossoneri probably gave Cagliari a bit too much freedom, Milan still walked away with all three points, marking an improvement on last week’s performance.

Following this, the match calmed somewhat and Inter began to settle into a passing rhythm which was rewarded with a goal on 20 minutes. The always energetic Jonathan managed to beat Fabián Monzón down to the right-hand byeline and his low cross evaded Andújar for Rodrigo Palacio to tap in from barely a yard out.

Although Inter had the lead, Catania were positive and looked dangerous on the break however they weren’t really able to create any clear-cut chances, the only effort before half time being Panagiotis Tachtsidis’s long-range effort which squirmed just wide of Handanovic’s post.

The viola coach also didn’t need to dwell on want-away Adem Ljajic’s goal for his new side, seeing as barely five minutes had passed before Rossi managed to get the ball in the back of the net. Rossi got on the end of a headed pass from Gomez, but the goal was really thanks to Perin, who managed to fumble the ball backwards, over his head and into the back of the net.

Then, entirely against the run of play, Fiorentina scored again. The Mario Gomez button proved impossible to load as viola fans worldwide celebrated the striker’s first goal in Serie A -- a shot that came from such close range that even he could not contrive to miss.

It was the first in a string of attempts on the mastini goal, with centre-back Leandro Castán nodding a Maicon cross wide before Miralem Pjanić and Daniele De Rossi saw long-range shots kept out by the Brazilian goalkeeper. Hellas were occasionally dangerous on the counter, with right-back Rômulo charging forward and curling a speculative shot wide from distance, though these were just momentary breaks in the giallorossi’s siege.

Three minutes later and it was 2-0, though Pjanić‘s glorious second more than made up for the good fortune in Maicon’s opener. Catching Rafael off his line from way outside the area, the Bosnian midfielder perfectly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net, and getting in his goal of the season entry in early.

Cagliari come to Milan after 9 straight losses there, and have not a single win in their last 21 clashes. In 65 Serie A matches, Cagliari have won just 7, Milan 33. It is more than clear that tradition is on Milan’s side, but does that mean the cagliaritani don’t stand a chance? Um, no. Cagliari was one of the most impressive teams last season. After a rough start, they were able to easily avoid relegation, playing some really nice football even while shuffling from stadium to stadium.

Last week, Atalanta scored first, but Cagliari answered immediately through a goal by Radja Nainggolan. Matias Cabera added another in the second half to ensure all three points. Cagliari managed the most shots on goal during the last round, with sixteen. As Milan’s defense is not exactly their strongest asset, the isolani certainly can create problems for Allegri’s team.

AS Roma injuries and suspensions

Out: Mattia Destro (injured), Tin Jedvaj (not yet approved to play). In doubt: None.

Hernanes stung Gianluigi Buffon’s palms with the game’s first chance inside the first two minutes. Juventus then asserted their dominance on the match and were denied two penalty appeals in quick succession. Vucinic controlled Andrea Pirlo’s long ball and went down under Diego Novaretti’s challenge, before Tevez seemed to be pulled back by Lorik Cana after playing a clever one-two with Vucinic.

Despite being pegged into their own half, Lazio showed flickers of life. Midway through the first half, Antonio Candreva’s long range effort left Buffon scrambling, before the shot stopper managed to fingertip the ball wide. From the resulting corner, Cana wasted a free header, glancing the ball across the face of goal.

Please don’t hurt me, Fiorentina fans.

Out: Sime Vrsaljko In doubt: Juraj Kucka

However, just short of a quarter of an hour into the game, the visitors had the lead -- and they didn’t even have to break through Chievo’s defensive line. Midfield wizard Hamšík managed to work some space in the sea of yellow shirts outside the box, and before anyone had time to close him down, the ball had been powered into the bottom corner of the net.

Goals: Paloschi 24’, 40’

Juventus injuries and suspensions

Out: Claudio Marchisio (injured)

Catania injuries and suspensions

Out: Gino Peruzzi (injured). In doubt: Ciro Capuano, Sergio Almirón, Federico Friere.

Blog: The Siren’s Song

Blog: Black & White & Read All Over