The Italian Football Federation has finally put the speculation to rest, confirming the kick off times for the opening five rounds of the new Serie A...
The Italian Football Federation has finally put the speculation to rest, confirming the kick off times for the opening five rounds of the new Serie A campaign. According to exclusive information obtained by GoalZaza, the season will get underway with a fixture that pits the reigning champions against the promoted side. Inter Milan will host Monza, while another newly promoted side, Como, will make the trip to Udinese. It is a fascinating start, one that immediately tests the mettle of those who have climbed through the ranks.But here is where the story gets a little bit messy. We all know the drill by now. Fixture scheduling in Italy is a delicate dance between television rights holders and the clubs themselves. GoalZaza understands that while the first three rounds are locked in, Week 4 remains a provisional placeholder. It is subject to change. And that, for managers trying to plan their season, is a headache of the highest order. How do you build a training cycle when you do not know if you are playing on a Saturday evening or a late Sunday kick offFor Inter, the opening weekend is a chance to show they mean business. Facing Monza at the San Siro is a fixture that on paper looks straightforward, but nobody in Milan will be taking anything for granted. Monza have spent wisely and play with a disciplined low block that has frustrated bigger sides before. For Udinese, welcoming Como represents a different kind of challenge. Como are an ambitious project with money behind them, but they are still finding their feet in the top flight. Udinese, with their reputation for nurturing talent and playing transitional football, will see this as three points that must be banked early.The real frustration, however, lies in the uncertainty surrounding that fourth matchday. It reeks of the administrative chaos that so often plagues Italian football. Clubs will be left waiting, with plans half made and supporters left guessing. It is not ideal. But then again, when is it ever straightforward in Serie A The beautiful game here is rarely beautiful when it comes to logistics.What is clear is that the opening salvo will set the tone. If Inter blow Monza away with clinical finishing, the message is sent. If Como manage a stubborn draw at Udinese, the chatter about them being a serious outfit gains momentum. And all of this, of course, depends on whether the league can actually stick to its own schedule. Squeaky bum time might not arrive until the run in, but for the administrators, the pressure is on from the very first whistle.
