Serie A’s third matchday arrives with the season already beginning to take shape, and two heavyweight clashes headline a weekend packed with intriguing fixtures.

Friday’s action begins with Genoa hosting Como, before Saturday delivers a major test for several contenders. Fiorentina face Torino, while defending champions Inter welcome Napoli in the standout fixture of the round. Inter opened their title defence impressively with a 4-1 victory over Monza, while Napoli also began with a win, overcoming Genoa 2-0 under new coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu knows the meeting could have wider implications, saying: “The only thing we know for sure is that we have worked hard and that we are ready for a big game, knowing it could shape the season.” He expects a contest decided by “key moments”, adding that both sides will need “focus and precision”.

Roma against Atalanta rounds off Saturday’s headline action, with Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma looking to make their mark in a season of renewed ambition.

Sunday brings another blockbuster as Juventus host AC Milan. Juventus began with a narrow 1-0 win at Frosinone, but Luciano Spalletti knows his side must become more ruthless. “We must have the courage to come up with decisive pieces of play,” he says, calling on his players to show their “ruthless face” as they pursue their objectives.

Milan, meanwhile, have already made an eye-catching start under Ruben Amorim. The Rossoneri defeated Torino 2-1 in their opening match, with the Portuguese coach promising an attacking identity.

His enthusiasm is clear: “The passion of the goal is for a coach who celebrated so many Milan goals, and now I am the coach of Milan, so I want to feel that passion in my staff too.”

The remainder of Sunday features Parma against Monza, Frosinone versus Venezia and Bologna against Sassuolo, before Monday closes the round with Cagliari facing Lecce and Udinese hosting Lazio.

But all eyes will be on Milan and Turin, where four of Italy’s biggest clubs will discover just how far their early-season ambitions can take them.

Broadcast details

• Serie A: Matchday 3

Friday 4 September

• 6:45 pm: Genoa v Como – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Football Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360

Saturday 5 September

• 1:00 pm: Fiorentina v Torino – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Football Africa
• 4:00 pm: Inter v Napoli – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Football Africa
• 6:45 pm: Roma v Atalanta – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Football Africa

Sunday 6 September

• 1:00 pm: Parma v Monza – LIVE on SuperSport Action Africa
• 1:00 pm: Frosinone v Venezia – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Football Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 4:00 pm: Bologna v Sassuolo – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Football Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 6:45 pm: Juventus v AC Milan – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Football Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360

Monday 7 September

• 4:00 pm: Cagliari v Lecce – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Football Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 6:45 pm: Udinese v Lazio – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Football Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360