🔥 Napoli chase top, Pisa test, Tudor hits back, Milan & Inter watch

With Juventus drawing 1-1 against Hellas Verona, Napoli approaches Monday's game at Maradona against Pisa with the knowledge that they could already become the first solo leaders of this season after just 4 rounds.

The reigning Scudetto team can immediately capitalize on their excellent start in Serie A, facilitated by a not impossible schedule, and claim the favorite status in this championship as well.

Milan, signs of greatness

However, competition will not be lacking. A clear example is Milan, whose journey with Massimiliano Allegri at the helm seems similar to that of Antonio Conte's men last year. After a surprise defeat in the debut against Cremonese, they have achieved 3 consecutive victories.

The latest against Udinese was truly convincing. Luka Modric is still sparkling, Fofana provides a lot of balance and Adrien Rabiot completes a dream midfield with running, reading, insertions, and quality. This trio supports and will support Max's 3-5-2, who without cups wants to play the spoiler in the title fight.

The next round will pit the Rossoneri and Napoli against each other at San Siro and will give a first indication of competitiveness at the top. That day also sees the return of Rafa Leao, who will be used for the first time in the role of center-forward.

Inter starts from the left and bets on Pio

Federico Dimarco first, Carlos Augusto next. Inter has 6 points after beating Sassuolo 2-1 and with 2 victories in 4 days tries to forget the previous double zero in the championship. Cristian Chivu's team plays a game similar to the one against Ajax, producing a good amount of play but struggling more than necessary to inflate the net.

Once again, Pio Esposito's impact is excellent. This time the twenty-year-old center-forward, confirmed from the start, makes a few more mistakes but shows flashes of talent and overpowering brilliance. The coach is betting heavily on him and the gamble is really intriguing. However, it's worth noting the final suffering dictated by another avoidable goal conceded. Securing the defense will be crucial for a season fighting for the top goals.

Juve, draw and controversy

The Bianconeri's misstep was characterized by the decidedly controversial tones of Igor Tudor, which partly overshadowed a performance below the team's expectations, which appeared very tired after the Champions League commitments. In addition to the protest, harsh in form but shareable in content, for unfavorable refereeing decisions, there was criticism of the decision to play Napoli on Monday. Was the attention shifted, was that the desired goal?

Napoli, you can't fail

The scenario that is shaping up for the Neapolitan team is extremely favorable, but nothing should be taken for granted. The defeat against Manchester City, the first since February 23rd against Como, has not removed certainties but if possible has increased them. In a game that became impossible due to numerical inferiority from the 20th minute, the defensive solidity and mental consistency were impressive.

However, the energy expenditure will have to be measured. The double commitment is a novelty and many times in his career has caused complications to Antonio Conte's plans. Changes in formation are expected and the impact of the second lines will have to be weighed given the negative approach of the substitutes against Fiorentina.

It is the most classic of maturity exams, the first of the season. It doesn't come under impossible conditions, on the contrary, but it will require the same mentality shown at the Etihad Stadium. Napoli's ambitions, it is clear, will pass through the head and the bench

📸 ALBERTO PIZZOLI - AFP or licensors