Juventus is set to host a struggling Roma on Sunday, aiming to prove that under Thiago Motta, they are serious contenders for the Serie A title. After securing back-to-back 3-0 victories against lower-tier teams, Juventus has moved away from their previous, less dynamic style of play, with Motta showing potential as a top-level coach. However, despite these wins, Motta is cautious about early title talk, emphasizing that the season is still in its infancy.
Motta's promising start at Juventus is particularly noteworthy given that the team is still coming together, with young talents from the "Next Gen" squad making significant contributions. Samuel Mbangula and Nicolo Savona, both graduates from the third-division Serie C team, have already made their mark by scoring and assisting in recent matches. Additionally, Juventus has bolstered their squad with the high-profile signing of Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners from Atalanta for over 60 million euros, underscoring their ambitions for the season.
Roma, on the other hand, is in turmoil under coach Daniele De Rossi, who is grappling with a tough start to his first full season in charge. After a humiliating home defeat to Empoli, Roma faces a daunting trip to Juventus, a challenge De Rossi could do without as he tries to stabilize his team. Despite being close in age, De Rossi is a relative novice in management compared to Motta, who has already held several coaching positions in Serie A.
Meanwhile, the weekend's fixtures also feature reigning champions Inter Milan hosting Atalanta, and AC Milan traveling to Lazio. Milan's recent loss to Parma has put new coach Paulo Fonseca under pressure, as his team struggles to close the gap with Inter. Additionally, Romelu Lukaku's potential debut for Napoli, after a reported 30-million-euro transfer from Chelsea, is another highlight, as the Belgian striker reunites with manager Antonio Conte, aiming to revive his career in Serie A.
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