Serie A Preview: Can Anyone Challenge Napoli and Inter?

Luka Modric

The Serie A season is just around the corner. Read our preview to discover which teams are poised for success and which players will make the difference.

Pioli's return to Serie A after a stint at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League could be a recipe for success...

Serie A Season Preview

The Serie A season promises to be thrilling as top contenders Napoli and Inter Milan face stiff competition from rivals who've undergone significant changes during the close season. These changes could potentially narrow the gap between the top two and the rest of the pack.

New Coaching Lineups and Team Dynamics

Several clubs have appointed new coaches, setting the stage for a season focused on building foundations for success. This shift in leadership will likely impact team dynamics and performance. For instance, Napoli's Antonio Conte and Inter Milan's Cristian Chivu are expected to play crucial roles in shaping their teams' strategies.

European Qualification Battles

Teams that fell short of title contention last season are now eyeing European qualification as their primary goal. Clubs like Lazio, Roma, and Fiorentina are poised to challenge for a spot in European competitions, with each team bringing its unique strengths and ambitions to the table.

Key Matchups to Watch

Some exciting matchups to look out for in the upcoming season include:

• Round 1: Genoa vs. Lecce, Sassuolo vs. Napoli, and Milan vs. Cremonese

• Round 11: Atalanta vs. Sassuolo, Bologna vs. Napoli, and Inter vs. Lazio

• Round 14: Cagliari vs. Roma, Inter vs. Como, and Napoli vs. Juventus

Potential Title Challengers

Based on recent performances and team dynamics, Napoli and Inter Milan are top contenders for the Scudetto. However, other teams like Juventus, Roma, and Atalanta could also make a strong case for the title.

Atalanta's New Era Without Gasperini

Atalanta is set to begin a new chapter without Gian Piero Gasperini, who ended his nine-year tenure to take the helm at AS Roma. The 67-year-old's departure marks a significant shift for the Bergamo outfit, who finished third in Serie A last season. Ivan Juric, former manager of Roma and Southampton, has been appointed as Gasperini's replacement, signing a two-year contract until June 2027.

Atalanta faces significant challenges in attack, having lost Mateo Retegui, the top scorer in Serie A last season, to Al-Qadsiah. Additionally, key striker Ademola Lookman appears poised to depart, further depleting the team's attacking options. Juric will need to adapt quickly to find suitable replacements and shape the team's strategy to compensate for these losses.

 

𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒂 𝒁𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒘𝒔𝒌𝒊 🤝 𝑨𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝑩𝑪 ✍️#GoAtalantaGo ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/RqWU99vcjb

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) August 18, 2025

The transition from Gasperini to Juric is expected to bring about a change in playing style. Gasperini's Atalanta was known for relentless pressing, fluid attacking patterns, and a high defensive line. In contrast, Juric favors a grittier, more pragmatic approach, utilizing formations like 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 to emphasize aggressive pressing, vertical play, and disciplined defensive structures. This shift may require some adjustments from the players, but Juric's experience working under Gasperini in the past could help facilitate a smoother transition.

Ivan Juric's coaching style is a departure from Gasperini's approach. The Croatian is known for favoring physicality, man-to-man marking, and defensive organization, often prioritizing control and discipline over free-flowing play. This tactical shift will likely impact the team's dynamics and performance.

Atalanta's transformation under Juric will be significant, given their reputation as one of Europe's most entertaining teams under Gasperini. The challenge now lies in whether Juric can adapt his methods to the existing squad or if he'll need to reshape the team entirely to fit his vision. This adjustment period may require patience and flexibility from both the coach and the players.

AC Milan's Redemption Season Under Massimiliano Allegri

AC Milan is embarking on a new era under Massimiliano Allegri, who returned in May for a second stint. The team is looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing eighth-place finish last season, which left them without European football. Despite the setbacks, Milan did manage to secure a Supercoppa win, showcasing their potential. Allegri's task is to rebuild the side and create a cohesive unit capable of competing for major honors.

Several key players have departed, including Tijjani Reijnders, Malick Thiaw, and Theo Hernandez, with reports suggesting the latter might join Al-Hilal. However, Allegri has retained goalkeeper Mike Maignan and brought in veteran Luka Modric, who will play a vital role in establishing a new foundation. Modric's experience and leadership will be crucial in guiding the team. Sporting director Igli Tare aims to sign at least five new players, including two full-backs and a centre-forward, to strengthen the squad.

Allegri's vision for AC Milan involves significant changes, particularly in defense, where he's looking to build a new foundation. He's eyeing players like Jaka Bijol and Giovanni Leoni to strengthen the center-back position. The coach's experience and tactical acumen will be essential in shaping the team's identity and playing style. With a clear plan in place, AC Milan is poised to make a strong comeback in the upcoming season.

🇭🇷❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/yBvuvhsjzG

— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 17, 2025

AC Milan is reinforcing its squad with a focus on defensive solidity as the club aims to return to European competition. The signings of midfielders Ardon Jashari and Samuele Ricci, as well as defender Koni De Winter, all aged 23, demonstrate a determination to add defensive strength. These young players are expected to bring fresh energy and skills to the team.

However, the lack of a key striker might hinder Milan's progress. Despite efforts to improve the team, the absence of a clinical finisher could prove costly in tight matches. Coach Massimiliano Allegri is aware of the team's vulnerabilities, noting that Milan conceded a significant number of goals in certain areas last season. “I think we are working and must improve as a team, because the statistics showed we conceded a lot of goals in certain areas. Our objective is to finish the season in the top four,” Allegri said, highlighting the team's focus on improvement and a top-four finish.

Challenges Ahead for Igor Tudor's Juventus

Igor Tudor's Juventus faces significant challenges as they aim to make a serious title challenge in the upcoming season. Despite the arrivals of Joao Mario and Jonathan David, who have added depth to the squad, the gap between Juventus and champions Napoli remains substantial. Closing this gap will require Tudor's tactical vision to translate into performances on the pitch.

Juventus struggled with a lack of attacking quality last season, often failing to turn draws into wins. This issue persists, and the team will need a significant improvement in this area to mount a serious title challenge. Tudor's 3-4-2-1 system relies on specific personnel, including wide players with the endurance to overlap and recover, center-backs who can pass effectively, and a forward line that combines pressing with clinical finishing.

Tudor's Juventus will face crucial tests early in the season, including matches against top-four rivals like Roma and Inter Milan. The team's performance in these fixtures will set the tone for their title challenge. Key players like Jonathan David, who has been signed to provide a more mobile attacking option, and Federico Gatti, who is expected to remain a crucial part of the squad, will be vital in determining Juventus' success.

Igor Tudor's tactical approach emphasizes aggressive wingbacks, creative attackers, and a strong defensive foundation. His system requires players to be flexible and adaptable, making it essential for the team to gel quickly. With the right personnel and performances, Tudor's Juventus could make a strong title challenge and return to their former glory.

AS Roma has reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season. After a disappointing start last season, the team showed impressive resilience with a late charge to fifth place under Claudio Ranieri before his retirement. The appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini marks a new era for the club, and with a long-term plan centered around young talents like 20-year-old Evan Ferguson, Roma may finally have the foundation to take the next step.

The club's focus on youth development and strategic planning could pay off, as Gasperini's experience and tactical acumen are expected to guide the team towards greater success. With a blend of seasoned professionals and promising young players, Roma is poised to make a strong challenge in the upcoming season.

Fiorentina has secured a spot in the Conference League playoff round and will be led by Stefano Pioli, the former Milan coach who guided the Rossoneri to the Scudetto title in 2022. Pioli's appointment marks a new chapter for the Florence-based club, which has come close to winning silverware in recent years but ultimately fell short.

The team has experienced heartbreaking losses, including two Conference League final defeats and a Coppa Italia final loss. Despite these setbacks, Fiorentina remains determined to claim its first major trophy under Pioli's leadership. With his extensive experience and tactical acumen, Pioli is well-equipped to guide the team towards success.

Pioli's return to Serie A after a stint at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League could be a recipe for success, given his familiarity with Italian football and Fiorentina's culture. He previously managed the club from 2017 to 2019 and remains popular among fans and players. However, his €12 million per season contract with Al-Nassr may pose a challenge to his potential return.