Serie A have finally released their fixture list, in a live ceremony that seemed to go on for days. Fortunately, it finally drew to a stuttering halt (or perhaps that was just our Sky streams giving out) and we were left with some mouth-watering fixtures.
The best matches of the Serie A season
It took until the end of July, but Serie A has finally released their fixtures. Here are the ones you can’t miss in the first half of the season.
Paolo Bruno
Here's a list of some of the the must-watch matches in Serie A this season. And remember, the league operates in a round-robin, so the second half of the season is a reverse of the first, only home and away teams are switched. So if you know Roma face Fiorentina in Week 1, you also know Fiorentina play host to Roma in Week 20.
Note: the referenced day is Sunday (or occasionally Wednesday, if it’s a midweek round). Serie A fixtures are often switched to Saturday, Friday or even Monday a few weeks prior to the match.
Week 1 (August 31): AS Roma vs. Fiorentina
Roma are thought to be a genuine contender for the title, while the viola will be aiming for Champions League.
Week 6 (October 5): Juventus vs. Roma
Last year's (and the year before that, and the year before that) scudetto winner plays host to the heir apparent. Roma couldn't take points off Juve last season, but that may change this time around.
Week 7 (October 19): Inter Milan vs. Napoli
Napoli want to push for the title, proving they are even stronger after former coach Walter Mazzarri left for Inter.
Week 8 (October 26): AC Milan vs. Fiorentina
Ever since Milan pipped Fiorentina to the third Champions League spot two years ago, these matches have been rife with tension ... and a thirst for revenge.
Week 10 (November 2): Napoli vs. Roma
Second place meets third place as both aim for first. Also, it’s the Derby del Sole, and it could be hotter than usual this season, as two fanbases that used to be “twinned” are now decidedly antagonistic.
Week 12 (November 23): Milan vs. Inter
Even when neither side looks to be coming close to the title, the Derby della Madonnina still is one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures in calcio.
Week 13 (November 30): Juventus vs. Torino
Torino may not come close to rivaling the enormous club across town, but the Derby della Mole remains just that.
Week 16 (December 21): Hellas Verona vs. Chievo Verona
Two passionate ... ok one passionate fanbase plays host to the up-and-comers that just can't seem to get themselves relegated. We're really selling this one, aren't we?
Week 17 (January 6): Juventus vs. Inter
Possibly the biggest derby in Italian football ... which just might be why it’s called the Derby d’Italia, eh?
Week 18 (January 11): Roma vs. Lazio
The Rome Derby is possibly the most passionate in Italy, based both on the behavior of fans and the number of sendings off that seem to occur each time these two sides meet. Any Derby Della Capitale should qualify as the most unmissable Serie A match.
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