Not even the most imaginative Serie A enthusiasts could’ve predicted such a tumultuous start to the 2024/25 season. With established powerhouses struggling to find their rhythm while underdogs flourish, the opening five rounds have produced unexpected results, leaving fans questioning the traditional hierarchy of Italian football.
Cult of Calcio presents you with the five most noteworthy takeaways from the first five 2024/25 Serie A matchdays.
Roma Infuriate Fans with De Rossi Dismissal
Roma sent shockwaves throughout the Italian football community at the beginning of last week when they announced their decision to part with club legend Daniele De Rossi amid a four-game winless Serie A start. Their decision didn’t go well with the fans, culminating with former CEO Lina Souloukou resigning under pressure.
Only time will tell whether they were right. Ivan Juric is hardly an upgrade, even though he inspired Roma to a 3-0 home win against Udinese. The Croatian manager earned a reputation as an ‘excitement killer’ during his uneventful reign at Torino.
Therefore, Roma supporters’ rage isn’t unfounded.
Fonseca Dodges Bullet with Stunning Derby Win
According to numerous leading bookmakers, Paulo Fonseca was the first candidate to suffer De Rossi’s fate and become the second Serie A manager to be relieved of his duties before last weekend’s Derby della Madonnina.
However, a courageous win against Inter turned the San Siro scapegoat into a hero, not least because it halted Milan’s six-game losing run against Inter. That doesn’t mean Fonseca can afford to rest easy. Au contraire, he must tread carefully, with many still seeing him as a value bet for dismissal.
Fonseca’s early farewell remains a popular prop bet among punters. No matter if you’re excited about betting on football or enjoy slot games, the allure of unpredictable managerial changes adds an extra layer of excitement to the betting landscape.
With every match, the stakes rise, and fans and punters alike are left wondering whether Fonseca can sustain his newfound status or if he will once again find himself in the crosshairs.
Juventus Back to Old Ways After Seemingly Deceptive Start
Back-to-back 3-0 wins to kick off his managerial tenure at Juventus made Thiago Motta look like a promised man to drag the Bianconeri out of the dark place after Massimiliano Allegri’s unenviable second-stint in Turin. Little did the Allianz Stadium faithful know it would be an illusion.
Juventus have since strung together three successive 0-0 draws in Serie A, revealing Motta’s true face. He worked wonders with Bologna last season, but everyone who watched the Rossoblu in action during his stint at Renato Dall’Ara knows he’s not a fan of entertaining football.
That brings up a simple question – have Juventus hired a younger version of Allegri?
Antonio Conte – Wizard Without Magic Stick
It takes an insane amount of courage to take the Napoli job under the ever-demanding Aurelio De Laurentiis. Napoli’s fall from grace during a catastrophic title-defending campaign last term only worsened the matter, making the Diego Maradona Stadium a place where few managers dare to tread.
With a passionate fanbase and sky-high expectations, the pressure to deliver results can be overwhelming, creating an atmosphere that can quickly turn hostile at the slightest hint of underperformance. However, from the fog of uncertainty following Luciano Spalletti’s exit, one man emerged as Naples’ savior.
Antonio Conte’s first game in charge was an unmitigated disaster. Napoli slumped to a 3-0 loss at Hellas Verona on the opening Serie A weekend, casting further doubt on the club’s ability to bounce back from a humiliating 2024/25. But the narrative has swiftly changed, with the Partenopei winning three of their four league games since (D1).
A scoreless draw at Juventus last time out was a testimony of Conte’s unrivaled tactical masterclass, suggesting Napoli could fight for the Scudetto against the odds.
‘Scudetto-Holder Hoodoo’ Threatens to Destabilize Inter
Defending Scudetto holders Inter were supposed to be odds-on favorites in the title race after steamrolling to their 20th Serie A crown almost uncontested last season. However, the curse of ‘reigning champions’ has reared the champs’ heads, as they’ve stumbled out of the gates this season, struggling to find their rhythm and consistency.
The abovementioned derby loss was just the tip of the iceberg. Simone Inzaghi’s charges could only amass two wins from the opening four rounds, sharing the spoils with sub-par Genoa and Monza. The season is long, and there’s plenty of time to make amends. Yet, Inter could fall victim to the recent tradition.
None of the last four defending Serie A champions have retained their title, a spell the Nerazzurri would be glad to avoid.