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Serie A returns Saturday August 23

Conte's Napoli will look to retain the title, having strengthened the squad by adding Kevin DeBruyne (Man City), defender Sam Beukema (Bologna), striker Lorenzo Lucca (Udinese), and Noa Lang (PSV) -- while retaining all of their starters from last season. Still, many have doubts as to whether these additions will be enough now that the club has to play in UCL.

Inter, now coached by unproven Cristian Chivu taking over for Simone Inzaghi, haven't added much outside of strengthening their bench with attackers Ange-Yoan Bonny (Parma) and Pio Esposito (Spezia), but haven't lost much either. The beat down PSG gave them still overshadows what was a tremendous last season otherwise.

Milan celebrate the return of Max Allegri, whose Juventus failed to improve after his much anticipated departure. Milan have gifted him the legendary Luka Modric, as well as highly coveted Samuele Ricci (Torino) in center midfield. Also adding Koni De Winter (Genoa) and Pervis Estupinan (Brighton) provides much needed strength to the back line. Without Europe, Milan will undoubtedly challenge for the scudetto under Allegri's guidance.

Juventus--like Inter--also have an unproven/former player coaching this season. Still trying to recover from the disastrous decisions made by former sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, their only notable addition this summer is adding Jonathan David (Lille) to the attack. It remains to be seen whether or not they will also retain Kolo Muani. Without any more additions, their only realistic goal seems to be to finish 4th place once again, although even that may be too tough a task.

Roma have hired Gian Piero Gasperini after his incredible 9 year stint at Atalanta. He is more notable than any of their signings this off-season--Daniele Ghilardi (Verona), Wesley (Flamengo), Evan Ferguson (Brighton)--and as long as he is in charge, the sky is the limit for this team--although the health of Dybala is always a major factor in their success. With Gasperini coaching and Claudio Ranieri calling the shots for the club, miracles are always possible.

Atalanta have hired Ivan Juric after his disastrous spell at Southampton. Lookman is demanding a transfer, Retegui already left for Saudi Arabia, Ruggeri signed with Atletico, and they haven't made any noteworthy signings. A return to the middle of the table seems likely without Gasperini and their two leading goal scorers if Lookman indeed leaves.

Como deserve to be mentioned with the top dogs. They've retained Nico Paz for at least one more season while adding another young Real Madrid product, Jacobo Ramon, to the defense...as well as Jesús Rodríguez (Betis), Nikolas Kuhn (Celtic), and ever experienced Alvaro Morata to the attack. Do not be surprised to see Fabregas' team sneak into Europe this season.

Miracles are always possible?
I just want to see Roma in CL again.
Gasperini is the signing of this seasons Serie A imho. He has given me hope for the near future and Ranieri in management is vastly better than how horrible the leadership treated the Prince of Rome.

predictions anyone?

1. Napoli
2. Milan
3. Inter
4. Juventus
5. Roma
6. Fiorentina
7. Lazio
(top seven to Europe)
8. Atalanta
9. Como
10. Bologna
11. Torino
12. Udinese
13. Genoa
14. Parma
15. Verona
16. Sassuolo
17. Cagliari
(bottom 3 relegated)
18. Lecce
19. Pisa
20. Cremonese

Top scorer: Kean
Most assists: Pulisic
Coppa Italia: Milan

McTominay picking up right where he left off... easy win for Napoli and a KDB goal as well

Como off to a good start with a 2-0 win vs Lazio including a lovely Nico Paz free kick.

Milan need a striker, as with Leao out injured they couldn't get much going in a 2-1 loss to newly promoted Cremonese. Beautiful overhead kick scored by the Cremonese player.

Roma's new signing Wesley looks like a great addition after he played well and scored in their 1-0 win vs Bologna.

Jonathan David with a debut goal for Juve

magik9113 wrote:Como off to a good start with a 2-0 win vs Lazio including a lovely Nico Paz free kick.

Milan need a striker, as with Leao out injured they couldn't get much going in a 2-1 loss to newly promoted Cremonese. Beautiful overhead kick scored by the Cremonese player.

Roma's new signing Wesley looks like a great addition after he played well and scored in their 1-0 win vs Bologna.

Jonathan David with a debut goal for Juve

Spurs have been linked with Paz. He looks class, would love to sign him.

Think the ship may have sailed on that, though. They rejected a 70m bid today.

Napoli, Juve, Cremonese, and Roma are the only teams to start the season 2-0.


The most interesting thing for when the league returns after international break is that the two players who fought at Marseille, Rabiot and Rowe--both were kicked off the team--and will now face each other with their new teams (Milan and Bologna) during the next match week

Juve - Inter tomorrow followed by Fiorentina - Napoli. should be two great games, already with Scudetto implications.

interestingly the Italian media is hyping up the Fiorentina - Napoli match due to the amount of players that could get called up to Italy from both of those squads.

Hakan has to be back in the good graces of Inter fans with two screamers. Yildiz had a good one too.

Lol Thuram bros headers cancel each other. Great game.

4-3 Juve at the stoppage, 7 great goals but the last one is just wow

Took Hojlund just 14 min to score in his Napoli debut.

Fantastic game between Juve and Inter. Great goals scored. Young player Adzic played very well off the bench…and then gets the game winner from deep. Sommer should’ve done better, but I almost shed a tear for the kid scoring his first ever goal in such a way.
Expect Chivu to be on the hot seat.

No suprise seeing Hojlund score. He’s been freed from the shackles known as ManUtd. Napoli clear favorites to repeat thus far.

Modric with the winner for Milan. He is still as good as ever.

Jamie Vardy in off the bench for Cremonese for his Serie A debut

Milan beat Napoli 2-1 despite an Estupinan red card in the 57th minute which also led to KDB scoring a PK.
Milan to the top of the table with 12 points, same amount as both Napoli and Roma.

Milan 12
Napoli 12
Roma 12
Juve 11
Inter 9
Atalanta 9
Cremonese 9
Como 8

a skied Pulisic penalty allows the boring Juve-Milan match to finish 0-0 appropriately.

Nico Paz and Como destroyed Juve 2-0.
Inter beat Roma 1-0.
Napoli--suffering from many injuries--lost to Torino.
Milan, with some injury problems of their own, beat Fiorentina--sending themselves to the top of the table, with three teams tied for second place behind them:
1. Milan 16
2. Inter 15
3. Napoli 15
4. Roma 15
5. Bologna 13
6. Como 12
7. Juventus 12
8. Atalanta 11

The damage done to Juventus last year by Giuntoli in the transfer market and beyond will likely see them fall to the Europa League and then struggle to keep Yildiz.

Igor Tudor out as Juve manager. No surprise here, but we're just not a good team so it likely won't matter who takes over. Rumors of Raffaele Palladino, Luciano Spalletti, and Roberto Mancini to be favorites to take over.

Is Juve the richest club in Italy?

I think Milan are