Cambiaso returns, Napoli-Mastantuono and latest on Roma-Inter☀️
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The fifth round of Serie A kicks off today, featuring the blockbuster clash at the Olimpico between Roma and Inter. In short, after this matchday we could have a sole team at the top of the table.
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While waiting to see what answers the pitch will provide, let’s take a look at the most important news of the morning involving Serie A’s biggest clubs.
🔙 Juve, Cambiaso eyes a comeback!
With the Europa League put on hold for a month, Juventus can now focus fully on the league again. Atalanta visit the Allianz Stadium on Sunday, a delicate match after the draw against Milan and the defeat away to Sassuolo. Luciano Spalletti is especially hoping to get Cambiaso back, with the full-back still dealing with the ankle issue he picked up against Parma: he will undergo another test in the next 48 hours, and a part-time role remains possible.
Compared to the European match against NEC, Spalletti will have Vicario back in goal and Gleison Bremer in central defense. Kelly, suspended in the Europa League, and Zhegrova, left out of the UEFA list and coming off an ultimately pointless brace against Sassuolo, will also return to the squad. Still unavailable, however, are Locatelli, Thuram, Yildiz, Boga, Ekhator and Cabal, all dealing with longer recovery timelines.
👋 Milan, the list of players not suited to Amorim’s style of play
After the 2-0 defeat to Benfica, Amorim admitted that some players are not perfectly suited to his 3-4-2-1 system. A situation that could lead to further transfer-market moves in the coming windows.
Without naming names publicly, several players seem to have characteristics that are less suited to Amorim’s system. Tomori has been reintegrated but has yet to find space, while Pavlovic offers physicality but less quality in build-up play, and Gabbia has not featured yet. In midfield, Modric clearly needs to manage his energy levels, while Jashari has not yet built on the positive early impressions. There are also doubts out wide, where Bartesaghi does not seem to have the ideal profile, and in attacking midfield, with Saelemaekers and Loftus-Cheek being adapted to a role that does not fully match their characteristics. Could a mini-revolution arrive in January?
🤔 Inter, from Diouf to Pepo: the latest ahead of Roma
Cristian Chivu is preparing several changes compared to the win over Udinese. Up front, Lautaro Martinez, rested on Monday, returns alongside Thuram. The other changes are dictated by the absences of Stones, sidelined by a hamstring injury that will keep him out for around three weeks, and Calhanoglu. In defense, Bisseck is ready, fresh from a call-up to Klopp’s new-look Germany, while in midfield Zielinski should drop back into the playmaker role, making room for Curtis Jones.
One issue remains unresolved on the right flank: Diouf is not at his best physically, so Luis Henrique could start. In goal, meanwhile, Chivu seems inclined to stick with Josep Martinez after publicly defending the goalkeeper following mistakes in the last two matches. However, if the Spaniard shows little composure, then Provedel will come in, knowing the Olimpico well from his Lazio days.
👀 Napoli, Manna had called about Mastantuono
Franco Mastantuono had also been considered by Napoli before his move to Real Madrid. According to the Corriere dello Sport, sporting director Giovanni Manna had contacted the Argentine’s agents to gather information and assess the feasibility of a deal. The interest, however, never went beyond the initial inquiry.
What held the club back above all were the financial terms and the need to keep the transfer market within certain limits. Napoli were also aware that Real Madrid would only consider a dry loan. Mastantuono, already followed by Manna during his River Plate days, then moved to Spain in the summer of 2025 for €45 million, before choosing Fiorentina.
🔥 Roma, Hermoso back in full training
Mario Hermoso has recovered from his ankle bruise and has returned to training regularly with the group. After missing Wednesday’s session, the Spaniard is now heading toward a starting spot in defense. The battle between Ndicka and Balerdi to complete the back line remains open: the Ivorian has a slight edge, but the Argentine’s speed in recovery could be an important factor.
There are also doubts on the right flank, where Lulli and Molina are battling for a place in an attempt to contain Dimarco’s forward runs. Further up the pitch, Soulé is pushing to start, but Gasperini is also considering the option of Pisilli as an attacking midfielder: a solution that would allow Roma to have three midfielders in the defensive phase and thus maintain numerical parity in the middle of the pitch.
⚠️ Lazio, absences for Gattuso
On the eve of the clash against Venezia, Lazio are only getting back Doekhi, who is returning after surgery on his left hand. The defender is expected to be called up and travel with the squad, but barring surprises he will start on the bench: the Sutalo-Provstgaard pairing is set to be confirmed in central defense. Still sidelined are Dele-Bashiru, Rovella and Marusic, who will return after the international break. Cataldi will still be there, also called up against Milan, but he is not yet at his best following surgery for pubalgia: a second-half appearance is possible.
In front of Mandas, the back line will be completed by Floriani and Nuno Tavares. No changes in midfield, with Frattesi, Belahyane and Taylor confirmed. The main selection battles concern the attack instead: Cancellieri and Isaksen are competing for a spot on the right, while Pinamonti and Noslin are in the running for the center-forward role. On the left will be Zaccagni. Gattuso will resolve his final doubts in Friday morning’s final training session.
🤩 Fiorentina, everyone is crazy about Njie
Having arrived in Florence from Torino on August 30 for €16 million plus €4 million in bonuses, with 10% of any future resale going to the Granata, Alieu Njie was initially welcomed with some skepticism. It was a major investment for a player with only two years of professional experience, but the first few weeks are quickly changing the fans’ perception.
The Swedish winger is showing speed, technique and the ability to make an impact even against more experienced opponents. Against Pisa he confirmed his explosiveness, also adding end product with the assist for Wilfried Gnonto. His finishing remains an area for improvement, but the feeling — as reported by the Corriere dello Sport — is that Njie could already be an important asset for Fiorentina’s attack, with fans increasingly won over by his performances.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.