Serie A's midweek round continued on Wednesday with five fixtures, and Football Italia carried live coverage of all of them. Three matches kicked off at 17.30 GMT: Venezia hosted Inter, Milan welcomed Bologna, and Parma faced Udinese. The evening slot at 19.45 GMT brought Genoa against Juventus and Napoli's away trip to Monza.
According to Football Italia, the previous night's three matches produced 18 goals, and the outlet framed the round as "Midweek Madness" in anticipation of more.
Why it matters
The round matters at both ends of the table. Football Italia reported that Inter needed a win at Venezia to stay in touch with Lazio at the top. Parma-Udinese was described as a relegation tussle. In between, Juventus travelled to Genoa and Napoli visited a Monza side the outlet called unpredictable — two away fixtures with real weight in the early-season picture.
Napoli take the lead at Monza through Hojlund
Napoli's breakthrough at Monza came from a move that started with a tackle. Football Italia described Di Lorenzo winning the ball in an unusually central position, then threading a pass through for Rasmus Hojlund, who beat the advancing goalkeeper from around 12 yards with his left foot.
Monza had begun brightly. Football Italia reported that after just 63 seconds Birindelli drove forward and forced a difficult parry from Milinkovic-Savic. The hosts responded again later, with Varela testing the goalkeeper and then nearly converting a Mangas cross from the left that the keeper had to intervene to cut out.
Napoli almost added a second when Politano seized on a Birindelli error, though Football Italia noted he could not make the chance count. Politano was also involved at the other end of a move, sending in a cross from the right that sailed over Hojlund's head before Olivera slid in and turned it wide.
There was concern for Napoli when Lobotka went down. According to Football Italia, he turned his ankle badly in an accidental collision as Mangas fell into him, leaving his ankle in the way.
Genoa strike first against Juventus
At the Marassi, Genoa took the lead through a defender's first goal for the club. Football Italia reported that it was Genoa's first goal against Juventus in almost three years.
Genoa threatened on the counter too. A long ball forward from goalkeeper Bijlow was controlled well by Osmajic, who drove at the Juventus defence before hitting the side-netting under pressure from Kalulu. Baldanzi also broke away and saw his shot deflected behind for a corner.
Juventus pushed for a response. Football Italia described Sarr crossing from the left toward Kolo Muani before Genoa intercepted for a corner, which Bijlow caught cleanly. Later, Vicario and Gatti misread each other on a backpass and Genoa nearly capitalised.
The equaliser, when it came, had an awkward look. Football Italia reported that Baldanzi played a give-and-go and pulled the ball back from the byline; it passed everyone before reaching Ehizibue, and Cambiaso's attempt to clear only made matters worse — the outlet suggested the goalkeeper might have saved it had the defender not intervened.
Genoa had chances from set pieces as well. Ostigard's header on a corner was charged down, and a Marcandalli header was ruled out by an offside flag. Alajbegovic got down the left for Juventus and drove the ball across the face of goal, but no one was there to meet it.
Football Italia listed the line-ups. Genoa started Bijlow in goal behind Ehizibue, Marcandalli, Ostigard and Vasquez, with Frendrup and Amorim in midfield, Baldanzi, Vitinha and Ellertsson supporting Osmajic. Juventus fielded Vicario in goal with Gatti, Bremer and Lucumí at the back; Kalulu, McKennie, Douglas Luiz, Sarr and Cambiaso across the middle; Alajbegovic behind Kolo Muani.
What to watch
The midweek results will reshape the top of the table and the relegation zone alike, with Inter's pursuit of Lazio and Napoli's trip to Monza among the fixtures to track as the round concludes.
