Serie A 2016/17: 5 things we learnt from Gameweek 2

The second round of fixtures of the 2016/17 Serie A season was typically full of talking points, with plenty of amazing goals, downright madness resulting in red cards and penalties, all against of the backdrop of frenzied transfer dealings as deadline day approaches.

Roma have been knocked off their perch atop the table, with Genoa taking their place – reminding us that its still early doors in the Serie A season. Juventus and Sampdoria are the only other sides with perfect records, with Atalanta, Crotone and Empoli yet to get off the mark in the table, consigning them to the bottom.

Here are five things we learnt from an action-packed matchday of Serie A.

1) Kevin Strootman's goal was a heartwarming story amidst Roma's self-destruction

Leading 2-0 away to Cagliari at half-time, Roma loooked every inch the title contenders many have predicted they could be this season. Kevin Strootman was bossing the midfield, reminding us that for all his injury troubles, he remains one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Serie A, and possibly Europe, when fit.

His well-taken volley after a brilliant layoff from Dzeko was the high-point of the weekend for Giallorossi fans, only for familiar failings in defence to undo their good work. Some absolutely comical defending from the Romans allowed Cagliari to come back into the game courtesy of Marco Borriello and Marco Sau.

The lack of communication in defence was rather apparent, but since the players involved are still forming an understanding, perhaps Roma fans would do well to be patient, much as they have been with Strootman, only to now reap the rewards.