As we approach the start of a new season, who will be the runners and riders in this latest edition of the Italy’s premier competition?
This Serie A season could be a three-horse race between Inter, Juventus and Napoli.
This series of reports will take a deep dive into each of the club’s title credentials this coming season.
Juventus
Thirty-six-time Serie A Champions Juventus look to win their first Scudetto since the 2019/20 season after winning nine consecutive titles starting in the 2011/12 season.
Juventus went into last season continuing with Massimiliano Allegri after a turbulent previous season which resulted in Juve entering the 2023/24 campaign without any European commitments.
The season started well with the Bianconeri neck and neck with Inter at the top of the table in the first half of the campaign. The football under Allegri was not exciting but they were picking up results along the way. Ultimately the turning point in Juve’s season was the loss in the second Derby d’Italia away in Milan. At this point, Inter extended their lead and never looked back.
Juventus’s form dipped and ended the season 23 points behind Inter. However, Allegri did end the season by lifting the Coppa Italia against Atalanta. Shortly after this, he departed.
Heading into this season, Thiago Motta was hired as first-team coach after a sensational season leading Bologna to Champions League Football. Motta brings a far more attractive and expansive style of football than his predecessor. Bologna even matched Juventus’s goal tally last season in the league despite a far weaker squad.
In his season at Bologna, Thiago Motta has shown his capabilities of developing talent. The rapid rise of players such as Joshua Zirkzee, Riccardo Calafiori and Riccardo Orsolini during last season’s campaign is a testament to his abilities as a coach. For Juventus, this is an exciting appointment and shows the club’s willingness to push for the Scudetto this year.
Another crucial appointment made by Juventus in July of 2023 was that of Cristiano Giuntoli from Napoli. After joining Napoli in 2015 the Neopolitans had one of their most successful periods being competitive in the league and on the European scene which culminated in the title-winning side of 2022/23.
Heading into the 2024/25 season the Old Lady has gotten rid of some of their big names and big earners such as Adrien Rabiot and Alex Sandro, opting to go for young hungry players.
Federico Chiesa appears to be being pushed out the door as his name has been linked to an array of clubs, particularly in the Premier League.
A midfield rebuild has taken place with Khéphren Thurham and Douglas Luiz being brought in. Michele Di Gregorio has arrived at the club looking to be Wojciech Szczesny’s successor. Whilst highly rated French center-back Jean-Clair Todibo’s arrival looks imminent, as a competent partner for Bremer in the heart of defense.
Although Motta appears to be revolutionizing Juventus from the Allegri era and attempting to put his stamp on the squad. With such wholesale changes taking place Juventus may not hit the ground running.
For Juventus, the top four should be the aim, but finishing ahead of Antonio Conte’s Napoli and Filippo Inzaghi’s special Inter team may prove to be a tough task. However, fans of Juventus can expect to see a more exciting brand of football as well as a team heading in a positive trajectory.