3x3: Opening day positives, an 18-club Serie A and Manchester United

The Roma Question: What was the single biggest positive you took for Roma’s opening day win at Atalanta?

Anthony Wright / @ToneZone0: “Roma have a habit of not being able to win when not playing well. It might not have been the greatest performance, but we still won, which is all the more impressive considering Atalanta are a difficult team to face, particularly at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. Just getting three points is the main thing in the early weeks while Di Francesco's team clicks.”

John Solano / @Solano_56: “That Roma were able to win a tough and difficult manner. Sometimes you have to win ugly and it was encouraging to see the team scrap all three points in a ‘gritty’ manner.”

Tony Roma / @LaRomanBomber: “Biggest positive I took was even after looking disorganised at times, they were able to fight and grind out the win. I think once they get more accustomed to the tactics it will be more organised.”

The Serie A Question: Should Serie A reduce the number of clubs in the league?

Anthony Wright: “A lot of teams have been cut adrift at the bottom in recent seasons and the lack of quality at the bottom (combined with the terrible seeding system in the Coppa Italia that purely benefits the biggest clubs) means many mid-table sides are in a state of apathy after reaching safety. Reducing Serie A to 18 teams would help increase the league's competitiveness and overall quality.”

John Solano: “They should, yes. The quality of the relegation-threatened clubs seems to get worse and worse every year and reducing the number of teams would raise the league's overall level.”

Tony Roma: “Yes, they should bring the number down, it will help make the league more competitive overall, also increase revenues for the remaining teams. Less games and less fatigue for the teams battling on three fronts and it would help give more time to the Italian national team before major tournaments.”

The General Football Question: Will Manchester United win the Premier League?

Anthony Wright: “Jose Mourinho has won the title in his second season at Porto, Chelsea (twice), Inter and Real Madrid, so history suggests yes. While Pep Guardiola has spent the GDP of a small country to try and improve Manchester City's defence, Manchester United have strengthened well, and Romelu Lukaku already looks settled. It will be fascinating to see Pep and Jose go head to head for the title again.”

John Solano: “I think they will, yes. They're very strong in all aspects of the pitch and can win playing in different ways... in possession or on the counter, they're so dangerous.”

Tony Roma: “After spending six billion on a line-up, I think they have the talent, it just depends whether they can stay consistent, but I think it is still Conte’s to lose.”