What have we learned this week from the first game week of Serie A?
The first step in a marathon season, which will be interrupted for 52 days this winter due to the World Cup in Qatar, was enough to help us understand numerous dynamics of Italy’s top division and answer some early-season questions.
There was plenty to take away from the first 90 minutes of the campaign – below, Sportsmail‘s Alvise Cagnazzo takes you through 10 things we learned from the opening weekend.
There were plenty of thrills and spills as Italy’s top flight kicked off its season at the weekend
1. Milan playing it safe with Rebic
AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli was very clear when speaking to DAZN: ‘I believe a lot in Ante Rebic’s qualities and he knows it’.
Despite the arrival of striker Divock Origi on a free from Liverpool and the presence of Olivier Giroud, the Croatian has become the focal point of the attack just at the moment when his name could have disappeared from the starting line up.
Rebic is a player very similar to Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino: he can play as a ‘nine and a half’, a central striker, attacking midfielder or winger in a versatile, interchangeable team with no single reference point up front.
Veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 40 – who wore an Avatar-style ponytail – is sidelined until January next year after a knee operation left him with a ‘super fan’ role in the stands as Rebic scored twice in a 4-2 win against Udinese.
Until then, the 28-year-old has the responsibility of replacing him. The first 90 minutes of the season showed he has a stronger inner fire than any other Milan attacker. His desire to be the main man could surpass the fans’ expectations of him.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic out injured until next year, Ante Rebic (right) can step up for AC Milan
2. Hollywood star Mourinho shows Roma title credentials
Jose Mourinho is the perfect man to become the leading man of a Hollywood blockbuster: he is an experienced star who knows every sneaky ploy to win a tactical game of chess with opponents before the first whistle even sounds.
The 1-0 win against Salernitana shows how perfectly the Portuguese understands the strengths and weaknesses of a team that can win the Scudetto despite starting as fourth favourites.
Roma’s skilful negotiations mean they have brought in Paulo Dybala, Georginio Wijnaldum, Nemanja Matic, Zeki Celik and goalkeeper Mile Svilar to the eternal city without spending much at all. Plus, they’ve kept hold of Nicolo Zaniolo!
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