Although we’re only seven rounds into the new campaign, we’ve already witnessed a ton of action from the opening stages, including thrilling back-and-forth contests, shocking results and some fabulous strikes. While the international break offers football fans several reasons to lament, it also provides us the opportunity to take a look back at the action and analyze the unforeseen Serie A league table.
Before the start of the season, the majority of fans and observers backed either Inter or Juventus for the Scudetto title, without counting out the chances of defending champions Milan, while Roma became the dark horses on the back of a solid Mercato. Yet, all four giants are currently sitting outside of the Top Four spots.
Nonetheless, it’s still early days and the table remains extremely tight. But which clubs are currently sitting in their natural spots, and which ones’ positions are deceiving to the eye?
Let’s analyze the status of each side from the current Top Eight.
1st – Napoli (17 Points)
Following the mass exodus of Kalidou Koulibaly, Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne, we expected Napoli to struggle to find their footing this season. After all, these were players who defined an entire generation. Add Fabian Ruiz to the departures’ list, and you get an even more somber image.
Nevertheless, the management has done a wonderful job by recruiting young exciting stars who have managed to fill the shoes of their predecessors, and even proving to be upgrades in some cases.
The Partenopei currently sit on top of the table simply because they deserve it after putting in some marvelous domestic performances to match their European exploits.
Perhaps identifying them as Scudetto favorites would be a premature statement at this point, but Luciano Spalletti’s men have cemented themselves as genuine contenders from the throne.
Verdict: Genuine
2nd – Atalanta (17 Points)
Following an underwhelming 2021/22 campaign, this season was always going to be pivotal for Atalanta. Either they restore their status among the elite, or it would spell the end of Giampiero Gasperini’s golden era.
Thus far, the Orobici have been on the right track. They remain undefeated despite playing Milan and Roma and are only second behind Napoli on goal difference.
However, we’re still not completely convinced of the club’s ability to maintain such high spot. The Bergamese are taking advantage of their light schedule to deliver energetic performances in the weekend, but they’re yet to revive their free-flowing football from the previous years, and have been lucky to escape with positive results on some occasions.
We expect them to drop a few positions as the campaign progresses.
Verdict: Deceptive
3rd – Udinese (16 Points)
Verdict: Deceptive
First, let’s make one thing clear. Udinese are utterly deserving of their current spot on the podium, especially following their vibrant outing against Inter last weekend.
However, Andrea Sottil would have to pull off an absolute miracle to maintain a Top four spot with the current crop at his disposal – even if it admittedly includes some decent players.
But for now, let’s just enjoy the Zebrette’s rise while it lasts.
4th – Lazio (14 Points)
Maurizio Sarri’s team is a dilemma on its own. It feels as if this team has two contrasting versions, and you can never tell which one you’re getting: The one that plays fluid and progressive football, or the dysfunctional bunch that sorely relies on Ciro Immobile’s goals and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s class.
The Biancocelesti enjoyed their best display thus far this season while hosting Inter – which is apparently a common theme on this list – but if they don’t sort their consistency issue, a Champions League spot would be far-fetched.
Verdict: Deceptive
5th – Milan (14 Points)
The start of the Serie A campaign has been a mixed bag for the reigning champions. On one hand, they emerged victorious in the Derby della Madonnina against Inter (Those guys again!) following a stunning comeback while also showcasing their strong character to earn three points away versus Sampdoria in spit of Rafael Leao’s dismissal.
On the other hand, they dropped two points in an uninspiring display at Sassuolo and lost an early direct clash against Napoli (admittedly luck wasn’t on their side).
But as you can see, Milan have been running the gauntlet in the opening stages, which partially justifies their relatively low spot on the Serie A table. But they will surely rise once they start collecting points from the slightly “easier” fixtures.
Verdict: Deceptive
6th – Roma (13 Points)
Similarly to their crosstown rivals Lazio, the Giallorossi have been anything but consistent. Moreover, the capital side has collected its four league wins at the expense of Salernitana, Cremonese, Monza and Empoli. Not exactly the most terrifying opposition.
But when the going gets tough, Roma only managed to escape with a draw against the struggling Juventus, while also suffering a 0-4 routing at Udine and coming away empty-ended versus Atalanta last week.
The team’s underwhelming performances in the big clashes has been a running theme since Paulo Fonseca’s reign, and until José Mourinho manages to solve it, Europa League spots remain the club’s most logical outcome.
Verdict: Genuine
7th – Inter (12 Points)
As we mentioned above, Inter have already lost their encounters against three teams on this list. A trio of defeats in the space of seven rounds is a considerable and worrying figure for a club that was considered as the favorite prior to the initial kickoff.
Simone Inzaghi’s shrewdness has apparently abandoned him – at least for the time-being – while several of his star players have been underperforming.
But despite it all, we still expect the Nerazzurri to mount back in the table and finish at least inside the Top Three spots.
Verdict: Deceptive
8th – Juventus (10 Points)
Oh boy! Where shall begin?
Juventus are simply a club in shambles. Surely the injuries of the likes of Paul Pogba and Federico Chiesa, have taken their toll on the club, but you’d imagine that the stars available at Massimiliano Allegri’s disposal should be enough to see the Old Lady scrap past through the likes of Salernitana or Monza – the way Roma has been operating.
But nope, the Bianconeri are simply unable to earn points at the moment, while displaying some of the most horrendous performances one can witness on a football pitch.
Perhaps Allegri – or whoever takes charge for that matter – will eventually turn the tide in Juve’s favor, but for now, the club’s current 8th position isn’t deceptive at all, but an accurate spot befitting of the team’s displays and an accumulation of ill-advised decisions taken during the past four years or so.
Verdict: Genuine
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |