Parity reigns again in Serie A without more perfect teams

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ROME – Three rounds in Serie A and parity is once again the theme of the Italian league.

After last season’s title was decided on the last day of the season, there are already no clubs left with perfect records in this campaign.

Napoli, the last team to remain perfect, were held 0-0 at Fiorentina on Sunday.

Napoli still remain top of the table thanks to their goal differential, but they are level on seven points with five other clubs: defending champions AC Milan, Lazio, Atalanta, Torino and Roma.

Roma and Inter Milan were the only other clubs to win their first two matches, but Roma drew 1-1 at Juventus on Saturday and Inter were beaten 3-1 at Lazio on Friday.

After scoring five and then four goals in their opening two games – convincing wins over Hellas Verona and Monza, respectively – Napoli were off target against the Viola.

Irving Lozano missed a header from close range to spoil Napoli’s best chance early in the second half, while Napoli centre-forward Victor Osimhen saw a goal disallowed for offside shortly before the break.

Osimhen has been embroiled in speculation over a potential move for Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United to Napoli, with hopes the 23-year-old Nigeria international would replace the five-time World Player of the Year at the English club in a costly move.

“If a club offers you 100 million (euros) for a player, it’s hard not to take that into account,” said Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti.

Fiorentina threatened midway through the second half with a dangerous Antonin Barak shot that was only slightly wide.

Napoli’s last significant chance was a long effort from new signing Giacomo Raspadori who was ruled out by Fiorentina goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.

Atalanta extended their unbeaten start with a 1-0 win over regional rivals Hellas Verona.

Teun Koopmeiners scored early in the second half with a bouncing shot from long range as Atalanta followed up their first-round win at Sampdoria and draw with Milan with another strong performance.

“We want to come back to Europe – and preferably to the Champions League,” said Koopmeiners, who has scored three of his five Serie A goals from beyond the box.

Meanwhile, Boulaye Dia scored one goal and assisted two more on his first start as Salernitana beat visiting Sampdoria 4-0. Dia, a Senegal international, joined Salernitana on loan 10 days ago from Villarreal.

Moreover, Serie B champions Lecce got their first point as they drew 1-1 on their visit to Empoli.

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Andrew Dampf is at https://twitter.com/AndrewDampf

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