Talking points from the Serie A weekend:
INTER LOSE POINTS AND LUKAKU AHEAD OF MILAN DERBY
Not only did Inter drop their first points of the season against Lazio on Friday but they also lost striker Romelu Lukaku to injury, adding to coach Simone Inzaghi’s worries.
Lukaku will miss Tuesday’s clash with Cremonese due to a thigh strain, Sky Italia reported on Sunday, and may not return to full fitness in time for the derby against champions AC Milan next weekend.
Lukaku joins Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the sidelines with the midfielder yet to recover from a hamstring injury sustained following Inter’s season opener against Lecce.
BELOTTI TO SOOTHE MOURINHO’S DISCONTENT
AS Roma’s Jose Mourinho lashed out at his players after they secured a 1-1 draw against the run of play at Juventus on Saturday, telling the post-match news conference that he felt ashamed to be their coach.
“I saw (Tammy) Abraham’s interview. Apparently, he played a great game but it was horrible,” Mourinho said of Roma’s goalscorer.
“We need important players. We hope they arrive,” he added.
Less than 24 hours later, AS Roma announced the signing of Italy striker Andrea Belotti, who joined on a one-year deal with an option to extend it for two more seasons.
Belotti was part of the Italy team who won the European Championship in 2021 and will add to Roma’s attacking options.
DE KETELAERE’S STAR SHINES BRIGHTER AT SAN SIRO
New signing Charles De Ketelaere impressed in his first start in Serie A with his first assist of the season, a superb pass to Rafael Leao who scored AC Milan’s opening goal in a comfortable 2-0 win over Bologna on Saturday.
“A star is born in De Ketelaere? There is no doubt he has talent. He needs to grow, but this is a process that requires time,” manager Stefano Pioli said.
Pioli now wants Milan to maintain their momentum.
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“We played with a desire to defend, we moved as a team. I am satisfied but also aware that we can grow further,” he added.
KVARATSKHELIA TOO EAGER TO PROVE HIMSELF AT NAPOLI
Napoli’s summer signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia again failed to make an impact in the league leaders’ goalless draw at Fiorentina on Sunday, but manager Luciano Spalletti says it is not through lack of trying.
“He is a little frantic now because he wants to show all of his value at once, he needs to stay calm and wait for the right moment,” Spalletti said.
The former Inter Milan boss added that Napoli would need to improve their build-up play as they had lost the ball too often.