Serie A Week 3: Juventus edge Inter 4-3 in Derby d'Italia as Cagliari beat Parma 2-0
Sep, 14 2025
Seven goals and a statement: Juventus outlast Inter 4-3
Seven goals. Constant momentum shifts. A derby that didn’t breathe. Week 3 in the Serie A lit up on Saturday night as Juventus beat Inter Milan 4-3 in a roller-coaster Derby d’Italia that felt like three games packed into one. The match kicked off at 19:45 and never settled, with Juventus taking a 2-1 lead into halftime before the second half exploded into a full-tilt shootout.
The pattern was clear early: both teams pressed high, tried to trap midfielders on the half-turn, and attacked transitions with pace. Juventus were sharp between the lines, moving the ball quickly into the channels and forcing Inter’s back line to defend running toward their own goal. Inter responded with width and overloads on the flanks, aiming to pull Juve’s shape apart and create late runs into the box. That tug-of-war produced goals, and plenty of them.
Juventus’ first-half edge came from efficiency. They turned limited touches in the final third into real chances, and made Inter pay when they lost second balls near the area. After the break, Inter pushed higher and kept the ball longer, but every time they clawed back, Juventus found a reply. The rhythm was relentless—equalizers, go-ahead goals, frantic defending, and a crowd that felt each twist.
What does it mean? For Juventus, this was an early-season marker. They showed they can win a game that turns chaotic, not just one that’s controlled and tidy. The attack looks more assertive, and the mentality—to keep throwing punches late—matters in tight title races. For Inter, scoring three away to a rival is usually enough. Not here. The issues were at the back: too many moments where runners weren’t tracked and second phases weren’t cleared. That’s fixable, but it’s also a warning.
The style clash also hinted at where each side is heading. Juventus leaned on direct play and verticality at key moments, choosing speed over patience. Inter tried to build their way back into it with possession and structure. Both approaches worked in spurts; Juventus just had more bite when it counted. The bigger picture is simple: it’s only Week 3, but this felt like a spring game in September.
Cagliari’s control, Sunday’s slate, and the early table
Earlier on Saturday, Cagliari handled Parma 2-0 in a performance that looked professional from start to finish. They led 1-0 at halftime, kept the tempo where they wanted it, and closed the door in the second half. Cagliari’s wide players were decisive, stretching the pitch and creating space for late runners. Parma tried to speed things up after the break, but Cagliari never lost their shape. It’s the kind of win that builds belief early in a long campaign.
Sunday brings a full schedule across the country and a different set of questions for each side. Roma host Torino at the Stadio Olimpico, a matchup that usually hinges on who wins aerial duels and second balls in midfield. Atalanta welcome Lecce in Bergamo, where Atalanta’s intensity gets tested against a side that is dangerous on the counter if you overcommit. Newly-promoted Pisa meet Udinese at the Arena Garibaldi Romeo Anconetani, a measuring-stick game for a club adjusting to the speed and physicality at this level. Sassuolo face Lazio at the MAPEI Stadium, a clash of pressing triggers versus patient buildup. And AC Milan play Bologna at San Siro in the 2:45 PM kickoff, a spotlight fixture for two teams that like to control territory and tempo.
- Roma vs Torino — Stadio Olimpico
- Atalanta vs Lecce — Gewiss Stadium
- Pisa vs Udinese — Arena Garibaldi Romeo Anconetani
- Sassuolo vs Lazio — MAPEI Stadium
- AC Milan vs Bologna — San Siro (2:45 PM kickoff)
All matches are available on Paramount+ for viewers following from abroad, and the timing of Sunday’s slate sets up neatly for a rolling watch from early afternoon through the late game.
The early standings have the usual squeeze at the top. Napoli sit first after a clean start, with Juventus up to second following the derby win. Inter’s defeat doesn’t bury them—it just adds urgency with tougher games still ahead. Below that, the middle third of the table already looks crowded, and teams with clear identities are separating from those still figuring out their best elevens.
Among the promoted clubs, there’s plenty to like. Sassuolo and Pisa came up automatically and have brought energy and risk-taking to the top flight, while Cremonese, who won the playoff final against Spezia, have carried their edge from last season. The adjustment phase is real—you feel it in the pace of transitions and the punishment for small mistakes—but early confidence goes a long way. A strong September doesn’t guarantee safety, but it does change how opponents approach you.
Week 3 also underscored a theme that tends to stick: set pieces and second phases are deciding games. Juventus-Inter turned on who reacted first to loose balls after the initial contact. Cagliari-Parma hinged on who managed the far-post space when crosses came in. That’s not an accident. Early in the season, when pressing structures are still being fine-tuned and fitness levels aren’t uniform, the details around rest defense, marking assignments, and restarts have an outsized impact.
Looking ahead, the race at the top will hinge on consistency more than fireworks. Napoli have banked early points. Juventus have a statement win in the pocket. Inter, Milan, and Lazio have chances on Sunday and beyond to answer back. For the promoted trio, every matchday is part survival test, part identity-building. And for neutrals? If Week 3 is a preview, this Italian season won’t be short on drama.