Rome: After five rounds, the Serie A table has an unfamiliar look to it.
Four-time defending champion Juventus are languishing in mid-table with just one point, while Inter Milan have left behind their mediocrity of the past few seasons to enjoy their best start in 49 years.
Inter Milan beat Hellas Verona 1-0 on Wednesday to remain the only team in Serie A with a perfect record. It's the first time since the 1966-67 that they have won their first five matches season.
That year Inter went on to win their first seven, but still finished second - to Juventus.
"Obviously winning five in a row is incredible, but we have another 30 games to play and we need to focus on winning them one by one," Inter President Erick Thohir said. "It's important that the team stays concentrated now and keeps its feet on the ground. We need to keep focused, work hard to play as a team and keep winning one game at a time."
Sunday sees Inter welcome Fiorentina, who are up to second after a 2-0 win against Bologna. Fiorentina would move top, above Inter on goal difference, with a victory at San Siro.
Juventus visit Napoli - who are also having a poor start - on Saturday evening, shortly after last year's runner-up Roma hosts newly-promoted Carpi. The capital side is looking to bounce back after drawing against Sassuolo and losing at Sampdoria.
Sunday's other matches are: Genoa vs. AC Milan; Bologna vs. Udinese; Sassuolo vs. Chievo Verona; Torino vs. Palermo; and Verona vs. Lazio.
Fresh from securing their first ever Serie A point against Juventus, Frosinone welcome Empoli on Monday, when Atalanta entertains Sampdoria.
Here are some things to know about this week's Italian league matches:
JUVE IN CRISIS
Juventus were expected to march to a fifth successive league title, but Massimiliano Allegri's side is already 10 points behind Inter.
While the Milan side are enjoying their best start in nearly 50 years, Juventus are enduring their worst in almost as long.
Juve their two opening matches, drew another two and won just one. Moreover, their normally formidable home record is looking distinctly average. The Bianconeri, which had won 42 of their past 47 matches at Juventus Stadium — drawing the other five — are still to win in Turin this campaign after losing at home to Udinese and drawing against Chievo and Frosinone.
The draw against Frosinone was particularly galling as the small club earned their first ever Serie A point with a stoppage-time equaliser — a header by Juventus fan Leonardo Blanchard.
"I'm angry because we must improve quickly," Allegri said. "At this moment we're shipping goals from the first opportunity that falls our opponents' way, you simply cannot concede from a corner with two minutes remaining."
NAPOLI STAYING CALM
Napoli have just a point more than Juventus after a similarly woeful start.
There were signs Napoli had turned a corner after two successive 5-0 win - against Lazio in the league and Club Brugge in Serie A.
However, on Wednesday they were held to this season's first goalless draw by Carpi - who are in Serie A for the first time in their history.
"That's part of football, and that's also what makes Napoli great but we shouldn't allow it to influence us," said coach Maurizio Sarri when asked if there was too much expectation after outscoring the opposition 10-0 in its last two games.
"We should isolate ourselves a bit, but I didn't seen any particular exultation after two 5-0 results and I don't think I will see gloomy faces after this draw."
SASSY SASSUOLO
Fellow minnow Sassuolo are showing Carpi and Frosinone just how it's done.
Like those two clubs, Sassuolo had never previously played in Serie A when it was promoted in 2013. They now stand third in the standings.
Moreover, less than two years after picking up their first top-flight point, Sassuolo are now the only side along with leader Inter Milan still unbeaten this season.
"If we have these points it's because we deserve them," Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco said after Wednesday's 1-0 win at Palermo. "We are going to every stadium to play for the points. We also came here to win, and to impose our style of play.
"We'll have to see what happens at the end."
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