Serie A returns with Roma, Inter and Lazio level on 13 points

Serie A returns this weekend after a three-week international break with three teams level at the top. Roma, Inter and Lazio all have 13 points from five games, Cagliari are one point behind on 12, and eight teams are separated by three points, with Milan on 11 and Frosinone, Juventus and Como on 10.

The gap in numbers

Roma are first on goal difference (+11), ahead of Inter (+7) and Lazio (+5). Inter have scored the most goals in the league, 15, but conceded eight; Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma have scored 14 and let in three. The only points either side has dropped came in their 2-2 draw at the Olimpico on 19 September, when Inter came back from two goals down. Lazio won 2-0 in Venice the same evening to draw level and are unbeaten, like the other two leaders and Milan. Cagliari have the best defence in the division, with two goals conceded.

Lazio the surprise

According to ANSA, Lazio have seven more points than at the same stage last season, the biggest improvement in Serie A, ahead of Cagliari (+5). Gennaro Gattuso plays it down: "The table is not my priority," he said on Wednesday evening at the Premio Colalucci in Rome. "My aim is to give a style of play and make the players understand the culture of work. We have to confirm ourselves game after game."

Inter go first

Cristian Chivu's reigning champions host Parma on Saturday at 18:00 and would go top on their own with a win before Roma and Lazio play on Sunday. Calhanoglu is back in training and available, while Stones is likely to miss out, Sky Sport Italia reports. Corriere dello Sport says Bonny could make his first start of the season against his former club, with Lautaro Martínez and Pio Esposito possibly rested after international duty.

Roma's trip to Como

Roma play the round's big match, away to Como on Sunday at 12:30. Gasperini is chasing his 300th Serie A win, which would put him alongside Trapattoni (352), Allegri (324), Spalletti (306) and Rocco (302), Corriere dello Sport notes. Roma have won their last five league away games, and victory would give them 16 points after six rounds for only the third time in their history, after 2013/14 and 1952/53. Cristante is set to miss out with a knee problem, with De Roon ready to replace him, ANSA reports. "It is hard to say that whoever wins between Roma and Como will be the anti-Inter. The league is long and has only just started," said Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Lazio and Cagliari

Lazio host Monza at 15:00 on Sunday without Gudmundsson, who dislocated his right shoulder, and Cataldi, while Rovella is a doubt. Gattuso also spoke about the supporters' protest: "I miss the people in the stadium so much, the fans urging the team on. I'm sorry, they must be respected. Playing with 10,000 or with 50,000 people is different." Cagliari host Luciano Spalletti's Juventus at 20:45 without striker Kevin Carlos, out with a low-grade tear in his left quadriceps, Tuttosport reports.

The month ahead

ANSA counts six league rounds in 29 days before the next international break, plus three European matchdays. Roma host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday and Genoa on 17 October, then visit Napoli on 24 October. Inter go to Bologna on 17 October and face Milan in the derby on 31 October. Lazio travel to Juventus on 18 October, while Cagliari visit Roma and Lazio on 27 October and 1 November.