Serie A resumes on Saturday, August 22nd, with four early matches, and Inter Milan not only show up as Italian champions but also have a rejuvenated defense and midfield with three English signings (Stones, Spence, and Jones). However, they lost Dumfries and must contend with rivals who have all strengthened: from Juve to Roma, from Milan to Napoli and Como. It will be a tough battle, and the championship kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, August 22nd, with the small Lombardy derby Inter-Monza, the very interesting test between Zaniolo's Udinese and the revelation Como, Max Allegri's debut as Napoli coach in the away match at the Marassi against De Rossi's Genoa, and Parma-Cagliari.
Inter speak English and remain the super favorites but they lost to Dumfries and their opponents are stronger
With the addition of Englishmen Stones (who, however, has suffered 32 injuries, mostly muscle-related), Spence, and Jones, Inter have players with great experience and consistency in their squad, even if they may not be eye-catching. However, they lost Dumfries, who moved to Real Madrid, and must contend with a more aggressive group of opponents than last year. Much will depend on Inter coach Christian Chivu's ability to utilize the new players effectively. But the competition won't allow the Italian champions to rest easy, as all their closest rivals have strengthened.
Juve have found a new goalkeeper and a new centre forward and have strengthened their defence and attacking midfield
After last year's disappointments and exclusion from the Champions League, Luciano Spalletti implored the club—reformed by the arrival of Carnevali as CEO and Massara as Sporting Director following the failures of Giuntoli and Comolli—to first and foremost find him a new goalkeeper and a new center forward. A promise was kept. In place of the uncertain Di Gregorio, the Bianconeri goal will be defended by Vicario, who arrives from Tottenham, and the attack will be led by a returning Tottenham player, the beloved Kolo Muani. The defense and midfield have also been strengthened with the arrival of Celik from Roma and Lucumi for the back line, and the talented and young Bosnian Alajbegovic for the attacking midfield. The dream midfielder is Kessie.
Napoli is betting on Allegri, but is Max the one who won five league titles with Juve or the one who failed last year?
As he did at Juventus in 2014, Max Allegri finds himself replacing another top-notch player like Antonio Conte on the Napoli bench. Despite the obvious departure from Lukaku, he's the biggest new addition and the biggest investment president Aurelio De Laurentiis has made to relaunch Napoli and challenge Inter for the Scudetto. But which Allegri is the real Allegri today? The one who won five consecutive Scudetti at Juventus or the one who failed to qualify for the Champions League last year at AC Milan? The upcoming season, in which Max's desire for redemption is strong, will tell. For now, however, the transfer market hasn't been stellar. The arrival of the powerful French defender Badiashile and the young Favasuli aren't bad, but perhaps Napoli needs something else.
Milan are relying on Amorin and especially on Ramos' goals, but there are still many unknowns.
AC Milan is perhaps the most indecipherable of the Serie A contenders. The management has changed with the arrival of Portuguese coach Amorin, and the revolution has begun, with seemingly irreplaceable players being sold, which could soon be compounded by a separation from the volatile Leao. Boss Cardinale, who hasn't won anything since firing Paolo Maldini as technical director, has made three significant acquisitions, most notably the prolific center forward Goncalo Ramos from PSG, but also defender Gila from Lazio and winger Diego Moreira from Strasbourg. It remains to be seen whether Amorin can breathe life into the team.
Como are targeting Kean and will try to challenge Inter at the top of the table.
Last year, Fabregas' Como was the true revelation of Serie A, reaching the Champions League, but this year the Como club has no intention of resting on its laurels. They acquired star player Nico Paz for a whopping €60 million and are now aiming to snatch Kean from Fiorentina. They've also made expensive but targeted acquisitions: Cheloba from Chelsea, Couto from Borussia Dortmund, Milla from Getafe. Como is no longer hiding its ambitions.
Roma confirms Dybala and bets on Rodrigo Mora
The confirmation of Paulo Dybala and the arrival of the young talent Diego Mora from Porto are making Roma fans dream as they prepare to enjoy a return to the Champions League after many years and are hoping for the magic of Gasperini, who is shaping the team according to his attacking schemes. The Giallorossi lost Celik to Juve but replaced him with the acquisition of Argentine winger Molina from Atletico Madrid and the young Argentine center forward Castro from Bologna, who can replace Malen, whom Roma hopes will repeat last season's goalscoring streak.
