Serie A Weekend Preview: Derby della Madonnina Takes Center Stage As Napoli Chase Redemption Against Atalanta

Serie A returns with a blockbuster weekend that could reshape the early title race, as AC Milan and Inter Milan collide in the first Derby della Madonnina of the season.

‎With just two points separating the teams, Sunday’s showdown at San Siro promises drama, tactical intrigue, and significant repercussions for the Scudetto.

‎Elsewhere, Roma can temporarily go top when they visit Cremonese, Napoli seek redemption against a struggling Atalanta, and Juventus aim to relaunch their campaign away at rock-bottom Fiorentina.

‎This is your full, in-depth preview of an important round of fixtures.

‎Inter vs AC Milan: Derby della Madonnina Takes Center Stage

‎For the first time this season, Inter and AC Milan face off in a derby stacked with narrative. Inter enters the match just ahead of their city rivals, riding a wave of momentum after strong domestic and European form.

‎Milan, under Massimiliano Allegri, has steadied itself and remains firmly in the Scudetto conversation.

‎Inter’s Rise Under Chivu

‎Inter comes into the match in excellent shape, with seven wins from their last eight Serie A games and an average of over two goals per match.

‎They have scored 26 goals in the league, the most in Serie A this season, and they are undefeated with a perfect 12 points in the Champions League, where they sit third in the group table.

‎However, there is a caveat: Inter’s recent dominance over Milan faded last season, as they lost three of the five derbies.

‎Lautaro Martínez, who already has nine derby goals, needs just one more to join an elite club of Inter players with 10+ goals against Milan.

‎Milan has shown a resurgence under Allegri. Despite chaos throughout 2024, Milan has found stability again, going 10 games unbeaten in Serie A and Coppa Italia.

‎They sit just two points off the top and have a rested squad without European commitments. Allegri has been reinstilling structure, balance, and resilience in the team.

‎Their 2–2 draw at Parma before the break felt like a missed chance, but their trajectory remains upward.

‎With Santiago Giménez out, Allegri is likely to deploy an unorthodox front pair of Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic, with Christopher Nkunku as an impact option.

‎Team News & Predicted Lineups

‎Inter (possible):

‎Sommer; Akanji, Bisseck, Bastoni; Augusto, Barella, Çalhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Martínez, Thuram

‎AC Milan (possible):

‎Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlović; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Leão

‎Cremonese vs Roma

‎Roma have emerged as surprise title contenders, collecting eight wins from 11 and showing impressive consistency in both Serie A and Europe.

‎Roma’s Momentum Builds

‎Roma have gained confidence with victories over Rangers (away) and Udinese (home). With Paolo Dybala still sidelined, the team has relied on Matias Soulé as the top scorer with 3 goals, Lorenzo Pellegrini becoming increasingly influential, and a defensive unit that has tightened significantly.

‎A win at Cremonese would send Roma to the top at least until the Derby della Madonnina finishes.

‎Cremonese’s solid return to Serie A under Davide Nicola has seen them settle into a stable mid-table position with 14 points.

‎Despite modest resources, they have beaten Roma twice in 2023, maintain a capable 3-5-2 structure, and boast a dangerous attack featuring Jamie Vardy and Federico Bonazzoli.

‎Injuries are piling up, but Cremonese remain resilient and tactically disciplined.

‎Team News & Predicted Lineups

‎Cremonese:

‎Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Barbieri, Payero, Bondo, Vandeputte, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy

‎Roma:

‎Svilar; Hermoso, Mancini, Ndicka; Celik, Kone, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Ferguson

‎Napoli vs Atalanta

‎A struggling Napoli hosts an Atalanta side entering a new era under Raffaele Palladino, in what promises to be one of the round’s most intriguing tactical battles.

‎Napoli is seeking stability as Antonio Conte’s champions have been inconsistent. They are only 2 points off the top and strong at home, with 4 wins from 5 in Serie A, but they have recently been blunt in attack, including a 2-0 loss at Bologna before the break.

‎Conte’s unexpected week-long absence added to the noise around the team. Injuries have hit hard: Anguissa, Meret, Lukaku, and De Bruyne are all out, and Billy Gilmour remains doubtful.

‎Atalanta is undergoing a new direction. After just two wins from 11, Atalanta parted ways with Ivan Juric and brought in Palladino. The new coach inherits a goal-shy attack and a team without rhythm, but a fully fit squad aside from Mitchel Bakker.

‎Historically, Atalanta have won two 3-0 games in Naples in recent years.

‎Predicted Lineups

‎Napoli:

‎Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Gutierrez; Elmas, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Neres

‎Atalanta:

‎Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Scamacca

‎Prediction: Napoli 1–1 Atalanta

‎A tight contest where Napoli’s strong home form meets Atalanta’s desperation to restart their campaign.

‎Fiorentina vs Juventus

‎Juventus’ season has been hard to define: unbeaten under Luciano Spalletti, yet still unconvincing. Fiorentina, meanwhile, languish bottom of Serie A and have the division’s worst defensive record.

‎Juventus

‎A goalless draw in the Derby della Mole was another example of Juve’s bluntness. Yet Spalletti remains unbeaten, and the squad is buying into his structure. Vlahović may return from injury to face his former club.

‎Defensive issues persist, with Bremer and Rugani both unavailable.

‎Fiorentina

‎Paolo Vanoli could not inspire an immediate turnaround, drawing 2–2 with Genoa in his debut.

‎Fiorentina are winless this season, conceding two goals per game, and missing key players Gosens, Kouamé, and Lamptey. Moise Kean is back and could start against his former team.

‎Predicted Lineups

‎Fiorentina:

‎De Gea; Pongracic, Mari, Ranieri; Dodo, Mandragora, Nicolussi Caviglia, Sohm, Fortini; Gudmundsson, Kean

‎Juventus:

‎Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Koopmeiners; McKennie, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Vlahović

‎Prediction: Fiorentina 0–2 Juventus

‎Juve’s superior organisation and attacking quality should see them through.