Breaking Down the Contenders: Italy’s Top Teams and Their Prospects for the New Season

The Serie A season is back and better. The new season promises to deliver loads of action, with teams already fighting for the league title. Current league winners Inter will look to defend their title. 

They will face stiff competition from Juventus and AC Milan. After a title-winning season in Europe, Atalanta will look to shake up the established order.

The upcoming season is set to deliver thrilling battles among the top teams. Who will emerge victorious? It’s difficult to tell at this time. However, we can review the chances of the top teams. Before we proceed, ensure you visit the Eagle Predict for accurate football predictions.

Defending Champions – Inter

Inter Milan remains a strong favorite for retaining the title. Last season, they dominated the league, securing the Scudetto with five games left. Simone Inzaghi’s side finished 19 points ahead of second-placed AC Milan. 

They would have achieved a historic milestone if they had secured seven more points after winning the title. Inter could have become the second team after Juventus to reach 100 points in a Serie A season. Juventus accomplished this feat with 102 points in the 2013-14 season.

Inter’s success came despite losing key players during the previous summer. Amongst them are André Onana, Edin Dzeko, Milan Skriniar, Robin Gosens, Marcelo Brozovic, and Romelu Lukaku. This season, no major exits have occurred.

Star striker Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Barella will be instrumental in their title defense. New signings like Mehdi Taremi and Piotr Zieliński should add more quality to the squad. Inzaghi’s tactical brilliance and ability to manage rotations effectively will be crucial. 

However, it’s worth noting that no team has successfully defended their title since Juventus ended their nine-year dominance in 2019-20. However, if any team can repeat this feat, it should be the Nerrazurri.

Juventus – Rebuilding for Glory

Juventus are determined to reclaim their dominance in Serie A after several seasons without a league title. While they secured a return to the Champions League and lifted the Coppa Italia last season, their overall campaign was underwhelming.

The season was divided into two contrasting halves. Until February, they lost only once and seemed poised to challenge for the Scudetto, especially with no European distractions. However, their form plummeted after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Inter in February. Juventus won just three more Serie A matches, drawing six in a row. That result extended their title drought to four years.

Juventus have reinforced their squad with Khéphren Thuram and Douglas Luiz this season. The addition of Juan Cabal in defense and Michele Di Gregorio, the league’s top goalkeeper last season, further solidifies their roster. 

New head coach Thiago Motta brings fresh tactical insights to this squad. He will seek to merge Juventus’ defensive resilience with more dynamic, possession-based football. His strategy focuses on developing young talent while utilizing the experience of veteran players. Motta’s approach could be pivotal in reviving Juventus’ title hopes, combining traditional defensive solidity with a more assertive attacking style. 

AC Milan – Building on Momentum

Last season’s runner-up, Milan, is another strong contender for the Serie A title. After clinching the Scudetto in 2022, they’ve secured consecutive top-four finishes in their last two campaigns. 

They’ve hired Paulo Fonseca to lead the team through the season. He’s known for his successful stints with Shakhtar Donetsk and Lille. Fonseca brings tactical versatility and ambition to Milan. His impressive record includes three consecutive Ukrainian league titles and consecutive top-five finishes in Ligue 1.

Milan added Alvaro Morata to the team this summer, bringing firepower to their attack. Fresh off winning EURO 2024, the Spanish striker has averaged 17 goals per season over the last five years. This includes his 21 goals for Atlético Madrid last year.

His ability to create space and link up play will be crucial. This compensates well for partnering Rafael Leão, who was also pivotal last season with 15 goals and eight assists. The additions of Serbian defender Strahinja Pavlović and right-back Emerson Royal further improve the squad’s defensive options.

Under Fonseca’s guidance, Milan will likely adopt a high-pressing, quick-transition style. He will leverage the speed and creativity of their forward line. Key players like Theo Hernandez, Fikayo Tomori, and Malick Thiaw will be essential in maintaining defensive stability. With depth and talent in all areas, Milan is poised to challenge for the Serie A crown once again.

Underdogs with Potential – Atalanta & Napoli

Atalanta and Napoli are underdogs in the 2024-25 Serie A title race. Atalanta are fresh from securing a Champions League spot and lifting the Europa League trophy. They will now look to push for the Serie A title. 

Known for their attacking flair and tactical fluidity, Atalanta’s high-pressing style and youth development have made them a formidable force in Italian football. Gasperini’s ability to adapt strategies to various opponents adds to their competitiveness.

However, balancing their domestic and European commitments will be crucial. Depth and effective squad rotation will be key to sustaining their campaign.

Napoli, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2023-24 season where they finished a lowly 10th. With Antonio Conte now at the helm, the club is eager to reestablish itself among Serie A’s elite. Conte’s tactical expertise and league experience are expected to inject fresh momentum into Napoli’s ranks. 

The addition of Leonardo Spinazzola and Alessandro Buongiorno bolsters their defensive and midfield options. However, the departure of Piotr Zieliński to Inter leaves a void in creativity. The loss of Victor Osimihen has reduced their firepower upfront. However, they have a ready replacement in Romelu Lukaku.

Napoli’s ability to perform against top teams like Inter, Juventus, and Milan will be decisive in their title aspirations. Consistency will be key to navigating a fiercely competitive Serie A season for Atalanta and Napoli.

Conclusion

The new Serie A season promises an exciting race for the Scudetto. Each team possesses unique strengths. However, the team that can overcome most challenges will win the title. The title fight will be intense until the final whistle. As the campaign progresses, seeing who emerges victorious in this high-stakes contest will be fascinating.