Serie A scores: Top sides start off the season with wins...mostly

The 2014-2015 Serie A season started out with Juventus sending a message to the rest of the league. The Old Lady may have only beaten Chievo 1-0 (and that goal was an own goal by the Flying Donkeys) but they thoroughly dominated the match. It likely helped that Massimiliano Allegri elected not to tinker much with Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 formation, although injuries played a role in his player selection. Youngster Kingsley Coman was extremely impressive in his debut, and the rest of the squad showed they have the talent to overcome this summer’s chaos.

Saturday’s marquee match brought Fiorentina to the Stadio Olimpico, where they did their best to use the first half to convince everyone that they’re not aiming for a Champions League spot -- that, or Vincenzo Montella wanted to make it clear to the viola owners that another midfielder was necessary. Whatever the reason, Roma ran circles around the visitors, and it was no surprised when Radja Nainggolan gave them the lead. Fiorentina snapped back into action in the second half, exposing the fact that the giallorossi do indeed have weaknesses, but a late goal from Gervinho ensured a 2-0 win for Roma.

Sunday began with yet another statement: Milan won’t be the butt of everyone’s joke again this season. In their first Serie A match under Filippo Inzaghi, the rossoneri won convincingly, with goals from Keisuke Honda, Sulley Muntari and new boy Jérémy Menez. Lazio sort of forgot to play for the first sixty minutes, but gave a few glimpses of what might be to come once their new signings settle down under Stefano Pioli.

Finally, Napoli are still determined to make an impact on the title race this year. At Genoa, the partenopei started things off with a goal from José Callejón within three minutes, but journeyman Mauricio Pinilla headed in the equalizer before the break. The visitors finally got themselves back into the match in the final ten minutes or so, but it looked like the points would be split, with Mattia Perin making some tremendous saves. Then Jonathan De Guzman, on his debut for his new side, tapped in with just seconds remaining, giving Napoli the win.

In Turin, Samir Handanović got his season off to a fine start, keeping his side level by saving a Torino penalty, as is the norm for Handy. But there’s little more that can be said for that match, which finished goalless. It may be an early blow for Inter’s hopes of a revival -- or, you know, it’s too soon to tell.

Also, Antonio Di Natale just can’t stop scoring. 36 years old and he bagged a brace for Udinese today, helping them beat newly-promoted Empoli.