Randal Kolo Muani’s instinct for goal (which he missed)

Having Saturn against you, as Ferzan Ôzpetek’s film teaches us, is a harbinger of decidedly negative consequences. At least for those who believe in the signs of the zodiac. Having Lautaro Martínez as an opponent – even in the broader sense of Fantasy Football – brings with it a sense of inevitability: you may be Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma, leading by two goals at home at half-time, and having played magnificently since the start of the season, but one thing is certain – if Lautaro is fielded on the opposing side, none of your supposed certainties will seem so solid any longer.

Proof of this is the moment of fire and steel in the 79th minute, which preceded the Argentine’s second goal: the ball simply had to go in, and philosophically speaking, it could not have decided otherwise. This is how Inter salvaged the result, with some credit due, in the capital. It is with this leading duo, currently joined by Lazio—for whom everything seems to be going their way—that we shall return to Serie A after the very long, seemingly endless, international break.

Como have indeed gone down, undone by a sparkling Frosinone side: it is not just down to Giacomo Calò’s skill, Giorgi K’vernadze’s form and Lorenzo Palmisani’s impressive saves that Fàbregas’s side will do well to take a dose of humility if they are to stay in contention for the top spots. After all, they were not the only ones to falter at the back: conceding two goals places Jean Butez in the same bracket as the equally highly rated Mile Svilar, Marco Carnesecchi and the Nerazzurri’s first-choice goalkeeper Josep Martínez – who is merely a namesake of the saviour wearing the number 10 shirt.

Setting aside Mërgim Vojvoda’s spectacular run of seven consecutive feints in the 62nd minute of Udinese v Cagliari, the cover of this week’s album goes to Randal Kolo Muani – and not, as one might think without having seen the match, for his attacking skills, although these certainly came to the fore on several occasions during Juventus’ home match against Atalanta. Also at the stroke of the 62nd minute (with the score at 1–0), the French centre-forward covered the left-hand post of Guglielmo Vicario during a corner for the Bergamo side: Lazar Samardžić struck with his left foot, and the ball, as if guided by remote control, dipped into the six-yard box, where Thomas Kristensen – who had scored three headed goals last season – was waiting for it.

Vicario remains on his goal line, Douglas Luiz is caught off guard by his opponent, Jhon Lucumí (look at me, Lookman) cannot reach it, and Kristensen strikes the ball in an almost unnatural manner as he returns to the ground following the miraculous save, connecting with his left temple so that it bounces off the turf. The goalkeeper stretches out his arms at the last moment, but the ball is destined to nestle in the net, near the post. That is precisely where the Bianconeri centre-forward – often criticised at the start of the season – is positioned: his reaction time is a second at most; his challenge is clean and head-on; the ball rises and returns to play, whilst the Danish defender stifles his cry of joy and the pundits exclaim in disbelief.

If Juve won, it was not only down to the goals from Francisco Conceição and Gleison Bremer (a goalscorer who finds the net, a centre-forward who prevents capitulation), but also to the controversial number 9, who, although he hadn’t got there in time for Zeki Çelik’s opening cross or Pape Sarr’s through ball down the middle: He not only thwarted what seemed an inevitable draw but also set the stage for the lead—drawing two defenders away with him—and maintained his pace until the final whistle with incisive runs and fluid dribbling, a clear sign that his form is on the rise alongside the best Nico González has shown during his time at Juventus. Admittedly, the shadow of the penalty denied to Jonathan Rowe remains, but following the thrashing in the Europa League against the Dutch side NEC, the Old Lady has rediscovered the striker she’d been chasing all summer.