The first five rounds of the Serie A season have already given the goalkeepers their own place in the early story of the campaign. With the league paused for international fixtures, the opening numbers point to three men who have supplied their sides with a steadiness that can shape a Sunday long before the forwards take centre stage.
Christos Mandas has made the strongest start, leading the goalkeeper ratings among players who have received marks in at least three matches. The Lazio goalkeeper has averaged 6.9, a notable response after a difficult previous spell: the Greek, born in 2001, did not play between January and June while on loan at Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Back in Rome, Mandas has taken the starting role following Ivan Provedel’s departure. Lazio have conceded only three times in five matches with him involved, while his save from Yeboah’s penalty against Venezia has been one of the defining moments of his opening month. It is an early indication of a goalkeeper who has returned from a quiet loan period to become central to his club’s new season.
Lorenzo Palmisani follows with an average rating of 6.8. The Frosinone keeper has conceded four goals so far, but his performance against Como in the latest round brought particular attention, with a series of outstanding saves helping him stand out in the weekend’s action.
Roma’s Mile Svilar completes the leading trio on 6.5, level with Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi in the average-rating standings. Svilar has allowed three goals and has kept three clean sheets, giving Roma a reliable platform through the first stretch of the season.
Five rounds are too few to settle any lasting hierarchy, but the early goalkeeping table has already offered a clear picture: Mandas has seized an unexpected opportunity at Lazio, Palmisani has announced himself at Frosinone, and Svilar has continued to provide Roma with calm in front of goal.
