By Richard Hall (@Gentleman_Ultra)

Serie A throws up some enticing fixtures this week as players return from the international break. For some, the momentum lost will be a concern, whilst for others, the break in play will have been a welcome annoyance as they re-think their start to the season.

Pescara v Inter

They say the table never lies but in Pescara’s case there seems to be an exception. They sit a lofty fourth with four points from two games and while they should be given some credit for this, there is also a glaring slice of good fortune involved. On the opening day they went 2-0 up against a shell-shocked Napoli and had it not been for a Dries Mertens brace they could have walked away with all three points.

The 2-2 draw was still a credit to them but a 2-1 defeat to Sassuolo in the next match gave them a realistic view of where they stood. That was however, until the Neroverdi were penalised for fielding unregistered player Antonino Ragsu and in turn were handed a 3-0 defeat. Pescara now have home advantage again and will look to overcome a wounded Nerazzurri, in a game that could see them end week three with an impressive seven points.

Frank De Boer will be hoping his team can kick start their season after two hideous results. Tactically outclassed, out run, out fought and out thought by Chievo on the opening day, the coach argued that his players were neither fit nor were they prepared for the new season. With the departure of Roberto Mancini coming so near to the start of the new campaign the Nerazzurri desperately tried to steady the ship in a better (but still inadequate performance) against Palermo.

The 1-1 draw did see the team look more resilient but the Dutchman must do what his predecessor could not and find a creative way to supply the hungry Mauro Icardi. With Antonio Candreva, Joao Mario and ‘Gabigol’ being just some of the new faces in Milan, it is perhaps too early to judge but they will need to improve quickly.

Genoa v Fiorentina

The normal summer in Genoa consists of average purchases, disappointing sales and a turnover of players so vast that it affects the early season results. This year at least one of these elements has changed as the Rossoblu have maximum points and have scored six goals in two games only conceding one.

Cagliari and Crotone have been swept aside with consummate ease with Leonardo Pavoletti exhibiting some exemplary form. The next three games however, will see what the Genoese are made of as they face Fiorentina, Sassuolo and Napoli. Should they come out of this with another six points or more then people will start to take them seriously.

Fiorentina have so far gone quietly under the radar in their early forays. The game on the opening day against Juventus saw the Viola perform extremely well and in the second half they got themselves back into the game thanks to Nikola Kalinic.

While Juventus were accused of sleep walking their way through the game, this was unfair on the Florentines who to their credit had kept them at bay. Their resilient attitude saw them also navigate their way past a tough Chievo side in the next game. Now, if they can collect all three points against Genoa, Paulo Sousa’s side could show they are a real contender for a European spot. 

Atalanta v Torino

Despite the excitement around Joe Hart's debut, this game is about much more than that. The Englishman’s arrival is a coup for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s team, but he is just one of a number of impressive arrivals to make the Granata look like serious contenders for a Europa League place. Adem Ljajic, Mirko Valdafiori, Iago Falque, Leanardo Castan and of course Andrea Belotti are now the main threats in a team that has started the campaign well.

Despite losing 3-2 to Milan on the opening day (the penalty save from Gianluigi Donnarumma robbing them of a point) they bounced back to smash Bologna 5-1 with Belotti getting a hat-trick, his fourth in two games. Now they travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta who languish at the bottom end of the table.

It isn’t all bad news for the Nerazzurri but there is still little to cheer about. On the opening day they hosted Lazio in the game of week one, however, they will not care about the excitement as they lost 4-3 in a crazy game at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.

Despite taking the lead against Sampdoria in Genoa they surrendered the game 2-1 in a defeat that sees them sit on zero points alongside Crotone and Empoli. The one beacon of hope however, is Franck Yannick Kessie, who has netted three times in these two games. The 19-year-old looks to be a fantastic player, but the Ivorian is a defender so they will hope he will not be their main goal threat this campaign.