Serie A Update: Giroud becomes a goalkeeper, Napoli needs a new coach

Napoli struggles under new manager; AC Milan leads Serie A; Roma eases pressure on Mourinho.

Milan players celebrate with Olivier Giroud after the striker made an impressive save in their 1-0 win at Genoa with Giroud having to go in between the sticks following the late dismissal of Mike Maignan. (Photo credit: GOAL)

The stage was supposedly set for the people of Naples to continue milking the winning feeling, and despite watching their title-winning manager Luciano Spaletti step up to the national team, nothing prepared them for this abyss of a performance by his successor.

Napoli is not only struggling in the league but also looking like a team that has given up its precious crown. It took them over three decades to land the Scudetto, and one would have thought they would protect it with everything, but Rudy Garcia is proving to be a mistake of an appointment.

Napoli lost 3-1 at home to Fiorentina on Sunday, once again bringing up comparisons with last season’s performances, where they literally strolled to the title but were seven points off the top as early as after game week eight, which begs for concerns.

Off the pitch, Napoli has also been found wanting. The TikTok video that appeared to have mocked Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen was one they could have done without, and their statement on it leaves quite a lot to be desired; they need to fix things.

Elsewhere in the Serie A, AS Roma found ways to ease pressure on Jose Mourinho on Sunday as they ran away with a 4-1 win over troubled Cagliari. The result moved Roma up to 10^th on the log, while Claudio Ranieri’s men continued to mop the floor at the foot of the table.

It’s all joy in different shades for AC Milan after a heroic 1-0 win at Genoa on Saturday. Rosonerri leads the Serie A table by two points going into the international break, but Olivier Giroud would once again take credit for how the game ended.

Christian Pulisic had fired the former champions in front with just three minutes left on the clock, but Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off deep into extra time. The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker stepped into the goal and helped preserve the lead, with Milan putting up his goalkeeper jersey for sale.

Inter Milan is second on the Serie A table after being forced to a 2-2 draw against Bologna on Saturday, while Juventus and Fiorentina complete the top four. Empoli, Salernitana, and Cagliari are the three teams in immediate danger of relegation.