ROME: Simone Zaza is the talk of Italy after leading the national team to two wins in his first two matches with the Azzurri. Now, the bearded striker takes his unsung Sassuolo club to the San Siro to face Inter Milan on Sunday. Also this weekend, three-time defending Serie A champion Juventus has injury problems for its match against Udinese, Roma warms up for its return to the Champions league at promoted Empoli and AC Milan visits Parma. Here are a few things to know entering the second round of the Italian league:
ZAZA MANIA: With Mario Balotelli dropped by new Italy coach Antonio Conte and Giuseppe Rossi battling more knee problems, the 23-year-old Zaza has taken over the center forward role for the Azzurri alongside Ciro Immobile of Borussia Dortmund. Zaza scored in Sassuolo’s opener, a 1-1 draw with Cagliari. Sassuolo teammates welcomed him back by serenading him with Italy’s national anthem in the changing room at training on Wednesday. Zaza is the first player to represent Sassuolo with Italy and also the first player from the southern region of Basilicata to score.
KINGSlEY, TAKE 2: Forward Carlos Tevez and midfielder Arturo Vidal have been added to Juventus’ injury list. Juventus’ midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo was already ruled out for a month with a bruised right hip, and defender Giorgio Chiellini is also out with a left calf injury. The injuries should open the way for 18-year-old French forward Kingsley Coman to start again. Coman impressed in Juve’s opening 1-0 win at Chievo Verona when paired with Tevez. Now, he’ll likely pair with Fernando llorente.
YOUTH REVOlUTIONIJ: Only 45 per cent of the players used in the opening weekend were Italian, prompting a debate over how to promote more home-grown talent. New Italian football federation president Carlo Tavecchio is said to be considering a requirement of at least eight players developed in a club’s youth system among the 25 members of first squads.