Keys to All 10 Matches for Serie A Matchday 6
The sixth round of matches in Serie A will begin on Saturday, with Verona taking on Cagliari in the early game before AC Milan battles Chievo Verona in the penultimate fixture of the day.
Juventus and Roma is the marquee match of the weekend as both sides are competing for the Scudetto and have won all five of their games so far this season. That will take place on Sunday.
However, Fiorentina and Inter will also square-off immediately following the Juventus-Roma game. Napoli will also try to build on their recently strong form against Torino, concluding what should be an excellent weekend in Italy's top flight.
Here are the keys for every match in Serie A on Saturday and Sunday.
Hellas Verona vs. Cagliari: The Counter-Attack
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Even though Cagliari has Zdenek Zeman as manager, they haven't completely adjusted to "Zemanlandia". The 4-1 win over Inter demonstrated exactly what the Czech tactician wants out of his team.
However, they haven't scored a goal via the counter-attack this season. Neither has their opponent, Hellas Verona. Given both sides' lack of midfield strength, the counter might make the difference on Saturday.
Verona has to take advantage of Luca Toni. The veteran forward has just one goal in five appearances, but given how open Zeman teams can play, this match might kick-start another fantastic year for Toni.
AC Milan vs. Chievo Verona: Set Pieces
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AC Milan and Chievo Verona have each scored three goals via set pieces (including penalties), via WhoScored.com. Both Milan and Chievo also like to expose teams on the break, but corners and free kicks will be crucial in this match.
Pippo Inzaghi's side is woeful at defending set pieces. Chievo has a tendency to score in those situations, so if the visitors want to steal a result from the Rossoneri, that's the best strategy.
Empoli vs. Palermo: Defending
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Empoli has been surprisingly stingy in defense this season. The Serie A newcomers have conceded eight goals in five matches, but have been unlucky in some of those games.
Juventus youth product Daniele Rugani has been solid at the back for Empoli so far. As a result, he's been linked with a call-up to Antonio Conte's Italy squad, per Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football-Italia).
This weekend might be the best chance Empoli has at claiming that elusive first win. Palermo has been abysmal in defense, conceding 11 goals. The Azzurri has found their scoring boots in the last few games, so this is an even more intriguing match.
Neither side has been consistent in attack, so the complexion of the match centers on defensive stability.
Parma vs. Genoa: Attacking the Gialloblu Defense
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Ever since Gabriel Paletta went down with a back injury, the Parma defense has gradually become worse. Alessandro Lucarelli, who was one of the most underrated defenders last year, has been woeful.
However, the entire back line has been a mess. Manager Roberto Donadoni has a lot of holes and someone like Felipe cannot replace Paletta. That's where Genoa can take advantage.
Parma has allowed a league-high 14 goals in five matches. Five of them came against AC Milan, but that shouldn't excuse the Crociati for their sloppy defending.
Genoa's Mauricio Pinilla has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, scoring twice in five appearances. He'll be chomping at the bit to attack a helpless Parma defense.
Sampdoria vs. Atalanta: Involve the Forwards
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Sampdoria is arguably the surprise of the season thus far. The Blucerchiati are undefeated, and have the third-best defense in Serie A. Only Roma and Juventus conceded fewer goals than Samp's two.
However, the attack has left something to be desired. Atalanta is in the same situation as well, which is why it's important that the forwards get involved.
La Dea striker German Denis is goalless so far, which is a huge shock. Stefano Okaka and Manolo Gabbiadini have been impressive, but only in two games. Each forward has the ability to make an impact on the pitch, but they have to get some service.
Udinese vs. Cesena: Nullify Antonio Di Natale
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Antonio Di Natale continues to defy age. The 36-year-old has scored four goals in five games, and is still the focal point of Udinese's attack.
However, the downside of being reliant upon one player is that it's easy to shut him down. Cesena enters the match knowing that if Di Natale is stopped, Udinese has a lower chance of winning.
However, Cyril Thereau has slowly gained chemistry with Di Natale up front. He's scored in back-to-back games, but if the Zebrette captain is kept at bay, Cesena could snatch a draw.
Lazio vs. Sassuolo: Neroverdi Aggressiveness
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Sassuolo has been awful this season, but they were also poor at the beginning of the last campaign. The key for them is patience, but in the match, they have to be significantly more aggressive.
The Neroverdi were one of the most entertaining teams to watch in Serie A last season. That's because they took risks and worked hard. That hasn't been seen so far this year.
It doesn't help when the attack goes dry, but by closing down opponents and fighting to win back possession. There hasn't been enough of that tenacity in Sassuolo's matches.
Lazio hasn't been stable in defense, so it presents Sassuolo with a chance to improve on their one goal scored in five matches this year.
Juventus vs. Roma: In-Game Management
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Roma is dealing with several injuries, with midfield stalwart Daniele De Rossi one of the casualties with a calf problem. Despite that loss, Roma was able to claim a 1-1 draw away to Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Juventus succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon. Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri told Goal that his counterpart Diego Simeone plays a pivotal role in Atletico's performances, and so it proved in midweek.
Roma's Rudi Garcia was able to execute the perfect game plan against City. The team sat back, they were very well organized, and ended up exposing the Citizens on the counter.
Allegri was very reactive against Atletico. He substituted three forwards after Atleti's breakthrough. This match against Roma will be hotly contested. The outcome will depend on which manager adjusts within the game the best.
Fiorentina vs. Inter: Nemanja Vidic
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Nemanja Vidic's short Inter career has been terrible. He's been sent off and has conceded a penalty in four appearances, per WhoScored.
Luckily for Vidic and the Nerazzurri, Mario Gomez is injured again, so Khouma Babacar will most likely start up front for Fiorentina. However, the Viola still have Juan Cuadrado and Borja Valero.
Vidic will be targeted by both Cuadrado and Valero. It could be another long day for the Serbian defender if that's the case, regardless of who starts up front.
Napoli vs. Torino: Hamsik, Mertens Must Produce
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Marek Hamsik and Dries Mertens are two exciting players. When they play together, Napoli's attack is significantly more dangerous. Add Gonzalo Higuain and it should spell trouble for the Partenopei's opponents.
Rafa Benitez's side hasn't been in top form this year, but wins over Sassuolo and Slovan Bratislava should give them some confidence. Higuain scored the second goal on Thursday in Bratislava, and Hamsik bagged the opener. Mertens was also solid in that match.
Those three players are the key to victory. When they're free-flowing and at the center of the attack, it's difficult to contain Napoli.
