Monza’s attempt to upset reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan will headline Matchday 4 of the 2024-25 season, while AC Milan’s attempt to shrug off their slow start will also be a key narrative.

Monza will host the Scudetto holders at the U-Power Stadium, with coach Alessando Nesta hoping that his charges can lean on their collective spirit to overcome the class of the visiting Nerazzurri.

“Togetherness and belief can make up the difference when an opponent has greater quality,” noted Nesta. “We need to be organised better, especially in defence, but I know that these players are capable of great results. We hope to prove that.”

While Inter remain the standard-setters in Italy’s top flight, arch rivals AC Milan have had an unconvincing start to the campaign – putting early pressure on new coach Paulo Fonseca. The Portuguese tactician acknowledges that he and his team will have to make a major improvement for their clash at home to Venezia.

“I take responsibility and I don’t want to hide away from that. However, it’s clear to me that there is a collective problem when it comes to defending and aggression,” said Fonseca. “I think it’s everything. This team has a problem generally. We had problems when we didn’t press too high against Torino. [Against Parma] we tried to get players to press higher, and we still had problems.

“When someone played through our pressure, it became difficult to stay compact and recover our positions. When we got back into position, we were passive. There are lots of things. To me, it’s a problem with attitude, energy, and desire to defend as a team.”

Elsewhere, Napoli’s progress under Antonio Conte will be put to the test by Cagliari at the Unipol Domus Stadium; Juventus face a potential banana skin away to Empoli at the Carlo Castellani Stadium; and Atalanta will chase a home win against Fiorentina in Bergamo – with coach Gian Piero Gasperini concerned about the impending UEFA Champions League and the strain that will put on his thin squad.

“I’m worried about having to play in the Champions League with all the games that have to be played. We’ll face them one at a time, with the spirit of today, Lecce and Madrid,” said the white-haired tactician.

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Broadcast details:

Saturday 14 September

• 15:00: Como v Bologna – LIVE on SuperSport Football
• 18:00: Empoli v Juventus – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 20:45: AC Milan v Venezia – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

Sunday 15 September

• 12:30: Genoa v Roma – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 15:00: Atalanta v Fiorentina – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 1
• 15:00: Torino v Lecce – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 18:00: Cagliari v Napoli – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 1
• 20:45: Monza v Inter Milan – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

Monday 16 September

• 18:30: Parma v Udinese – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 20:45: Lazio v Verona – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360