The Serie A dept. of useless information — A quick hit.
By Frank Risorto
All stats are courtesy of FBRef.com and up to date as of September 16.
Calcio fans, remember us?!
It’s been a long hiatus for many reasons, real life be damned, however the folks at the Serie A department of useless information have kindly welcomed me back for one more rodeo.
Given it’s only a small sample size of matches it’s just a quick hit of Calcio absurdity.
We’ll be sure to revisit the Serie A department of useless information later in the season and if you enjoy the read, share the word or leave a comment, it’s always appreciated. Thank you for reading.
So, without further ado, andiamo.
Match day One Marco equals 3–1.
Lazio manager Marco Baroni made his debut on the Lazio bench on matchday one, and it felt like there was only ever one outcome and it’s a hat trick.
On Baroni’s coaching debut for Lega Pro side Rondinella in 2000/01, his side won 3–1 against US Russi.
Across his past managerial posts, he’s continued this trend.
On his debut as Reggina coach in the 2020/21 Serie B season, he lost 3–1 to Cittadella.
On his debut as U.S. Lecce coach in 2021/22, albeit in the Coppa Italia against Parma, he won 3–1.
On his debut as Hellas Verona coach, again in the 2023/24 Coppa Italia competition, he won 3–1 against Ascoli.
So, on his debut as Lazio coach, against Venezia, of course, he won 3–1.
Match day One equals Man scores.
Parma’s Dennis Man is another who enjoys the opening day of the season.
On his Italian football debut for Parma, and matchday One of the 21/22 season, he scored to help his side grab a 2–2 draw against Frosinone.
The 22/23 Serie B season he scored on matchday One as Parma were held to a 2–2 draw against Bari.
The 23/24 season he scored for Parma, in his season debut against Bari in the Coppa Italia, to help his side to a 3–0 victory.
So of course, to open the 24/25 season when Parma secured a 1–1 draw against Fiorentina there was only ever going to be one goal scorer, and it was Dennis Man.
Suzuki sees red.
Parma’s Zion Suzuki saw red after he recklessly tackled Napoli’s David Neres on matchday Three.
Suzuki, who signed for Parma from Belgian Pro League side, St. Truiden, has already acquired as many red cards than fellow country man Hidetoshi Nakata, who made 182 appearances in Italy’s top flight across seven seasons and four clubs (Roma, Parma, Bologna and Fiorentina) and was never once sent off.
In Suzuki’s 32 appearances for his Belgian club and 29 appearances for his Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds, guess how many times Suzuki had been booked prior to his red card for Parma, yep you guessed it, zero!
The Scots be undefeated.
Empoli’s Liam Henderson is yet to taste defeat this season across the first four Serie A matches, and the one Coppa Italia victory over Serie B southerners Catanzaro.
His fellow countryman, Torino’s Che Adams, has also made a positive start to life in Italy, yet to taste defeat across four Serie A appearances and one Coppa Italia fixture, against fellow Serie B southerners Cosenza.
Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour have continued the Scottish streak by making their debut Serie A appearances as second half substitutes in Napoli’s 4–0 win against Cagliari.
Imbattuto!
Enjoy your Calcio.
