Five Things To Watch Out For In Serie A On Matchday 12 With The First Milan Derby, The Start Of Palladino’s Atalanta Reign And Fiorentina’s Hunt For A First Win

With the last international break of 2025 almost over, matchday 12 of the Serie A season takes center stage this weekend.

Players will be returning to their clubs in the coming days as they prepare for a number of intriguing fixtures in Italy’s elite soccer division.

The standout game comes from the San Siro Stadium as the first Milan Derby of the season takes place on November 23. Inter occupy top spot with AC in third position.

Elsewhere, Raffaele Palladino begins his Atalanta reign with a trip to Napoli. Paolo Vanoli’s Fiorentina are still looking for their first win and welcome Juventus to Florence.

Can AC Leapfrog Inter In The First Milan Derby Of The Season?

There’s only one place to start and that is of course, the hugely anticipated Milan derby. The old foes will go toe-to-toe on Sunday with more than just bragging rights up for grabs.

A fortnight has passed since both AC and Inter purchased the San Siro and the surrounding land. A victory for either will certainly be a fine way to celebrate.

Furthermore, a win for the Rossoneri will see them move above their nemesis in the Serie A standings. If Cristian Chivu tastes victory in his first derby as head coach, the Nerazzurri will move five points clear.

As always, expect bad blood, explosive tackles, heated confrontations and hopefully, iconic goals. They have all been common themes in the contest and fans have been eagerly awaiting this clash since the Milan derby dates were announced in the summer.

It's Derby week in Milan. ❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/oYhIeeD3pm

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) November 17, 2025

Antonio Conte Needs To Get Back To Winning Ways

After the limp 2-0 defeat by Bologna on matchday 11, Napoli manager Antonio Conte had time away from training going into November’s international break.

Many Napoli fans were bemused by the timing but it was reportedly a pre-arranged break that ended up hitting the headlines because of its terrible timing. 

His explosive rant raised questions about his own long term future in Naples. However, the dust has now settled and the 2024-25 Scudetto winner will stay on at the Maradona Stadium.

This weekend will provide the perfect opportunity to win supporters back over. Conte desperately needs a win against struggling Atalanta to get I Partenopei faithful back on side.

Fiorentina Are STILL Seeking First Serie A Win Of 2025-26

Reports suggest Fiorentina is interested in signing Lorenzo Insigne and as refreshing as that is to supporters, the club are still winless in Serie A this season. 

New head coach Paolo Vanoli earned a point in his first outing last time out against Genoa. If he were to convince Insigne to join, it would give their survival hopes a major boost. 

First and foremost, Vanoli desperately needs to get off the mark and their task hasn’t been made any easier on matchday 12. Juventus heads to Florence in slightly better form under new manager Luciano Spalletti. 

However, star man Moise Kean is in line to return. The former Bianconeri striker dropped out of the Italy squad for November’s internationals and he will be absolutely vital to Vanoli’s chances of securing a maiden win.

New coach Paolo Vanoli and Sporting Director Roberto Goretti are unveiled. 🎙️#Fiorentina pic.twitter.com/nXSAfqtRdk

— ACF Fiorentina English (@ACFFiorentinaEN) November 12, 2025

Can Raffaele Palladino Defeat The Serie A Champions?

Although the Serie A matchday 12 clash against Napoli will be his first in charge, Raffaele Palladino has already been identifying Atalanta’s transfer targets for January. 

Palladino has been tasked with getting La Dea back on track after they parted ways with Ivan Juric on November 10. Ironically, the exact same date he left Roma 12 months previous. 

A reunion with Moise Kean has been mooted for Palladino and he’ll do his chances no harm at all if he can go to Naples and secure a much-needed win. 

Last season, an Ademola Lookman double helped clinch a 3-0 victory at the Maradona Stadium. Palladino would receive a hero’s welcome if he replicated a similar result.

𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝙍𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙖𝙚𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙤 ✍️ pic.twitter.com/76PvMcRnsj

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) November 11, 2025

Will Roma’s Rock Solid Defense Be Breached Against Cremonese?

With almost a third of the season played, Roma has the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues. Alongside Arsenal, the Giallorossi have conceded just five times. 

Such a rock solid backline has helped propel Gian Piero Gasperini’s side to second in the standings. Only trailing Inter by virtue of goal difference. 

Such form hasn’t gone unnoticed and the Romans take on surprise package Cremonese on matchday 12. Last season’s Serie B playoff winners have performed very well so far. 

Interestingly, I Grigiorossi has scored the same number of goals as their opponents (12). Although Roma’s goalscoring problems have been highlighted, Jamie Vardy and co. will need to be at their best on matchday 12.