Serie A talking-points

Here are some of the talking-points.

Donnarumma not to blame for Inter goal

AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso refused to blame goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for Mauro Icardi's goal which gave Inter a 1-0 win in the derby.

Donnarumma was caught in two minds as Matias Vecino floated over a long cross from the right. The 19-year-old initially came for the ball, then changed his mind and his indecision allowed Icardi a free header at the far post.

"The whole defence was at fault, we are not going to single out anyone," Gattuso said. "He misread the situation but we didn't lose because of Donnarumma, we lost because we didn't have enough courage and because Inter played better."

Calhangolu and Higuain go missing for Milan

A number of Milan's top players fell short in the derby, notably Hakan Calhanoglu, whose form has exasperated Gattuso this season and had another disappointing match with poor passing and decision-making.

Suso also produced little, notably wasting a free kick late in the game when he sent his effort straight at the Milan wall, although he worked hard defensively.

This left Gonzalo Higuain without any service and the Argentine barely touched the ball in attack in his first Milan derby.

Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti could not resist a dig at his opponents following the match.

"When Gattuso says that his team has more quality, he is not wrong, although you have to know how use that quality," he said.

Ventura knew he was onto a hiding

Former Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura said that he knew he was onto a hiding after the first five minutes of his first game with bottom-of-the-table Chievo, who lost 5-1 to Atalanta.

"At that point, I knew we didn't have a chance," said the 70-year-old, who was in charge a team for the first time since his Italy side failed to qualify for the World Cup.

"We wanted to impose our game, but obviously lacked serenity and tranquillity to complete even the most basic passes."

"Over the last six days, I worked mainly on the style of football, tactics and movements, but I realise now that it was a mistake.

"We need to get back our anger, work on the basis and improve our physical condition - some players were tired after 30 minutes."

Mazzarri critices Torino after they squander two-goal lead

Torino coach Walter Mazzarri was critical of his team after they squandered a two-goal lead and drew 2-2 at Bologna.

"We conceded two goals without (Torino goalkeeper) Salvatore Sirigu making a save. We underestimated the danger, we thought we had finished off the match," the former Napoli, Inter Milan and Watford coach said.

"We self-destructed, it's an absurd result and one that's very hard to explain. ....we paid for our naivety."

Roma crisis

AS Roma's 2-0 home defeat by SPAL on Saturday left them with only 14 points from their opening games - seven less than at the same stage last season and their worst since 2012-13.

"We lacked grit and determination," coach Eusebio Di Francesco said. "It happened too often that we got stretched after losing possession and that mustn't happen. You can't stop when something goes wrong; you have to stay compact."

"It was our attitude, our lack of desire to keep going despite the difficulties." (Writing by Brian Homewood Editing by Louise Ireland)