Cristian Chivu bristled at the mention of scontri diretti, or head-to-head clashes, in a press conference leading up to Inter Milan's match against Napoli. Despite finishing 11 points clear at the top of Serie A last season, Chivu faced criticism for Inter’s early Champions League exit and poor performance in crucial matches against Napoli, Milan, and Juventus.

As the season unfolds, Inter and Napoli clashed in what Il Corriere dello Sport dubbed "The New Classico." The match was a rollercoaster, starting with a goalless first half but erupting into chaos in the second. Matteo Politano scored first for Napoli, followed by Rasmus Højlund doubling the lead. Lautaro Martínez pulled one back for Inter, who then equalized through Marcus Thuram. In a dramatic finish, Curtis Jones assisted Lautaro for a last-minute winner, sealing a thrilling 3-2 victory for Inter.

In contrast, the Juventus-Milan match ended in a lackluster 1-1 draw, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm despite significant summer investments. Milan initially appeared to steal a win with Alphadjo Cisse’s impressive solo goal, but Federico Gatti saved Juventus with a late equalizer. This match highlighted the struggles both teams face in their quest for title contention.

Overall, these early fixtures reveal the challenges that Juventus and Milan must overcome, while Inter and Napoli continue to assert their dominance in the league.