Serie A Matchday 2 Talking Points: Milan misery, Pinamonti pleasure, Conte's crisis control
Matchday 2 of the 2024/25 Serie A campaign had plenty of surprises and talking points for fans of Italian football to ponder, with a few of the traditional giants already missing from the top of the standings.
Champions Inter did find a first win of the season, as did Antonio Conte with new club Napoli, but it was a disappointing weekend for AC Milan and Roman duo AS Roma and Lazio, whom all suffered defeat.
Teams like Parma and Empoli who may still fight relegation this term, but they are picking up plenty of valuable points already.
Milan's miserable start continues
While two late strikes saved AC Milan the embarrassment of an opening day defeat to Torino at the Stadio San Siro, there was no such salvation when they travelled south to Parma on Matchday 2, being defeated 2-1 by the Crociati.
The Rossoneri were caught out within two minutes at the Stadio Ennio Tardini as Dennis Man fired home and Matteo Cancellieri netted the winner in the second half, but the score did not do justice to the dominance the hosts held over Paulo Fonseca's side.
With champions Inter picking up there first three points of the campaign, Milan followers will start to wonder whether the actually have the ability to wrestle the Scudetto back off their neighbours or Champions League qualification is the limit of their domestic hopes.
Debut delight for Pinamonti
Journeyman striker Andrea Pinamonti only arrived at Genoa a few days ago, but made the perfect start to his second spell with the Grifone, as he scored a header deep into first-half stoppage time to steal all three points from Monza, who had a goal from Daniel Maldini disallowed by VAR causing the extended period.
The 25-year-old scored just five times when on loan for 2019/20 and will be looking to surpass double figures this time, with the club looking in a much better condition on and off the pitch under the guidance of former Italian international striker Alberto Gilardino.
Conte era finally begins at Napoli
After Coppa Italia struggles - a narrow penalty shootout win over Modena - and an opening day Serie A 3-0 thrashing from Hellas Verona, the influence of new coach Antonio Conte was finally visible as Napoli defeated Bologna by the same score at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday night.
Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo netted on the stroke of half-time and looked like the player who led them to the title two years ago, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia appeared oblivious to transfer rumours linking him to Premier League side Liverpool to score, while Giovanni Simeone also found his goal scoring touch.
With newly promoted Parma arriving in Naples for Matchday 3, the Italian tactician will be looking to record back-to-back victories and start their assault on the top of the standings.