Serie A 2024-2025: Lazio triumphs, Verona surprises Napoli, draw between Cagliari-Roma and Bologna-Udinese.

The first day of the 2024-2025 Serie A saw four intense matches full of twists and turns. Below is a detailed report of Sunday's races:

Cagliari-Roma 0-0

The match between Cagliari and Roma, played at Unipol Domus, ended in a goalless draw, but not without excitement. Both teams had chances to break the deadlock, hitting the crossbar on each side. In the 80th minute, Roma striker Dovbyk hit the crossbar, immediately followed by Cagliari's Marin who did the same a minute later. In the 82nd minute, a goal by Pellegrini was disallowed for offside, depriving Roma of a possible victory. Despite the draw, the match was vibrant, with both teams showing good play but unable to find the back of the net.

Official Lineups:

– Cagliari (3-5-2): Scuffet; Zappa, Wieteska, Luperto; Piccoli, Luvumbo. Coach: Nicola.
– Roma (4-3-3): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Le Fée, Cristante, Pellegrini; Soulé, Dovbyk, Zalewski. Coach: De Rossi.

Lazio-Venice 3-1

Lazio kicked off their season with a convincing 3-1 win over Venezia at the Olimpico in Rome. Despite a difficult start, with Venezia taking the lead in the 3rd minute thanks to a great goal by Magnus Andersen, the Biancocelesti managed to turn the result around. In the 44th minute, a penalty converted by Zaccagni put Lazio at 2-1, after Castellanos had scored the 1-1 in the 11th minute taking advantage of a defensive error by Svoboda. The match was definitively closed in the 81st minute by an own goal by Altare, which paved the way for the victory of Baroni's team. Lazio, thanks to this performance, temporarily took the lead in the standings.

Official Lineups:

– Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Casale, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi, Rovella, Dele-Bashiru; Noslin, Castellanos, Zaccagni. Coach: Baroni.
– Venice (3-4-2-1): Joronen; Altare, Svoboda, Sverko; Sagrado, Andersen, Duncan, Zampano; Oristanio, Ellertsson; Gytkjaer. Coach: Di Francesco.

Verona-Naples 3-0

Hellas Verona surprised everyone with a clear 3-0 victory over reigning champions Napoli. After a goalless first half, the Gialloblù broke the deadlock in the 50th minute with a goal from Livramento. Subsequently, a brace from Mosquera in the 75th and 94th minutes consolidated the victory for the team coached by Paolo Zanetti. This victory is a great start for Verona, who have shown that they can be a team to keep an eye on this season. Napoli, on the other hand, had difficulty finding their rhythm, also due to Kvaratskhelia's injury in the first half, replaced by Raspadori.

Official Lineups:

– Hellas Verona (4-2-3-1): Montipò; Tchatchoua, Magnani, Coppola, Frese; Duda, Serdar; Livramento, Kastanos, Lazovic; Tengstedt. Coach: Paolo Zanetti.
– Napoli (3-4-2-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus; Mazzocchi, Anguissa, Lobotka, Spinazzola; Politano, Kvaratskhelia; Simeone. Coach: Antonio Conte.

Bologna-Udinese 1-1

At Dall'Ara, Bologna and Udinese shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw. Bologna took the lead thanks to a penalty converted by Orsolini in the 54th minute, but failed to capitalize on further opportunities to close the match. Udinese, who fought throughout the match, found the equalizer in the 68th minute with a header by Giannetti, immediately after Skorupski had saved a penalty from Thauvin. Despite an interesting offensive game, Bologna lacked concreteness in front of goal, allowing Udinese to get back into the game and take home a precious point.

Official Lineups:

– Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Erlic, Lykogiannis; Moro, Freuler; Orsolini, Fabbian, Ndoye; Castro. Coach: Italian.
– Udinese (3-4-2-1): Okoye; Perez, Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Lovric, Payero, Kamara; Thauvin, Brenner; Lucca. Coach: Runjaic.

Analysis

The first day of the 2024-2025 Serie A offered exciting matches and results that immediately highlighted some surprises and confirmations. Lazio showed they are in good shape, Verona impressed with a clear victory against Napoli, while Bologna and Udinese showed their fighting spirit with a deserved draw. The championship has just begun, but the premises give hope for a season full of twists and turns and entertainment.