Juventus and Napoli are the only teams with maximum points after the third round of Serie A fixtures. The Derby d’Italia produced another unforgettable clash, Modrić made history for AC Milan, and De Ketelaere inspired Atalanta. Here’s a breakdown of the results, records, and standout performances from matchday three.
Juventus and Napoli Stay Perfect on Nine Points
Matchday 3 narrowed the Serie A title race to two frontrunners: Juventus and Napoli, who both secured their third consecutive victory. Roma’s defeat and Cremonese’s draw allowed the pair to pull clear at the top with nine points each. Udinese and Cremonese sit just behind in third, while AC Milan and Atalanta also climbed the table.
At the other end, Sassuolo grabbed their first win, leaving Pisa, Parma, and Lecce stuck at the bottom with just one point each. Thanks to Ekuban’s late strike for Genoa, no team remains without a goal or point after three fixtures. Marcus Thuram leads the scoring charts with three goals, while Krstović and Yildiz top the assists with three each.
Cagliari Secure First Win of the Season
Cagliari celebrated their first league victory at the Unipol Domus, defeating Parma 2-0. Experienced defender Mina opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 33rd minute, before substitute Felici sealed the result in the second half. Despite Parma’s late efforts, the Sardinians now move up to four points, while Parma sit bottom with just one.
Derby d’Italia Delivers Another Classic
The Derby d’Italia lived up to expectations once again, with Juventus edging Inter 4-3 in a thriller. The decisive goal came in stoppage time from 19-year-old Vasilije Adžić, making him the youngest foreign player to score for Juventus in this historic clash.
Juventus also scored through Kelly, Khéphren Thuram, and Yildiz, while Inter responded with a Çalhanoğlu brace and Marcus Thuram’s header. The match featured a rare family showdown, as both Thuram brothers found the net for opposite sides, something seen only twice before in Serie A history.
Napoli Dominate Fiorentina to Stay Top
Napoli continued their flawless start with a commanding 3-1 victory over Fiorentina. Early goals from De Bruyne and Højlund set the tone, before Beukema added a third in the second half. Ranieri pulled one back for the Viola, but Conte’s men looked unstoppable.
With 550 points earned in just 244 Serie A matches, Antonio Conte also achieved the best managerial record in the three-points-per-win era.
Torino Stun Roma With Simeone’s Wonder Strike
At the Olimpico, Torino beat Roma 1-0 thanks to a brilliant finish from Simeone, who curled home a superb effort in the 59th minute. It was his first goal in over a year and gave Torino their first win over Roma in three seasons. Goalkeeper Israel produced several key saves as Roma wasted 22 chances, failing to score despite their dominance.
Atalanta Shine as De Ketelaere Leads the Way
Atalanta stormed past Lecce with a 4-1 victory. Scalvini opened the scoring before Charles De Ketelaere struck twice, cementing his reputation as one of Serie A’s most consistent forwards. Zalewski netted his first goal for the club, while N’Dri ended Lecce’s goalless run with a late consolation.
Udinese, Sassuolo and Milan Celebrate Key Wins
- Udinese edged Pisa 1-0, with young forward Iker Bravo scoring the decisive goal.
- Sassuolo defeated Lazio 1-0, with Fadera grabbing the winner and goalkeeper Murić producing a stunning late save.
- AC Milan beat Bologna 1-0, with Luka Modrić making history as the oldest midfielder to score in Serie A at 40 years and five days. His winning goal highlighted his timeless class and secured Milan’s vital victory at San Siro.
Verona vs Cremonese Ends Goalless
At the Bentegodi, Verona were held to a 0-0 draw against Cremonese. Goalkeeper Audero was the star, denying nine shots to secure a point for the visitors. Jamie Vardy made his long-awaited Serie A debut in this match, joining legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Maradona who also debuted at this venue.
Genoa Rescue Late Point Against Como
The final match of round three saw Genoa snatch a dramatic 1-1 draw at Como. Nico Paz scored a stunning opener for the hosts, but Ramón’s red card shifted momentum. In stoppage time, Ekuban scored Genoa’s first goal of the campaign, giving the Rossoblù a crucial confidence boost.
What’s Next in Serie A?
After matchday 3, Juventus and Napoli look like early title contenders, but AC Milan, Inter, and Atalanta remain close behind. With high-stakes clashes coming up, including Napoli’s next challenge and Juventus aiming to keep momentum, the Serie A title race promises even more drama in the weeks ahead.
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