Serie A, one of the leading football divisions in the world, is back, and fans, pundits, and experts are already predicting what Italy’s top flight has in store this season. Napoli ran out winners last term, and while they’ll be aiming to defend their crown, it will also inspire other outfits in the race for honours between now and May.
Whenever a new season begins, everyone looks towards the defending champions first, as there will be a belief, based on events of last term, that they’ll be in an excellent position to defend what’s theirs. And, in the case of Napoli, Serie A match betting suggests they will be going into most, if not all games, as favourites to take all three points, which means they’re potentially on course to repeat their successes of last season.
One of the primary aims for Napoli was to hang onto winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and striker Victor Osimhen, which they’ve managed to achieve, but there have been significant departures in the form of manager Luciano Spalletti and centre-back Min-Jae Kim. So, defending their crown is going to be a tougher ask than winning the league in the first place in many respects, but they have the know-how and have gotten off to a winning start with Osimhen bagging a brace.
The upheaval at Napoli will have alerted what some may refer to as the big three – Juventus, Inter and Milan, but then you could also suggest that Juventus and Milan especially have also been going through periods of turmoil, with the former punished for false accounting and the departure of key men at the latter such as director and legend Paolo Maldini, and central midfielder Sandro Tonali. Inter made it to the Champions League final and want to build on that, but have lost key men themselves. And while they’re recruited well, the lack of funds could prove their undoing.
Two other teams potentially stand out in Serie A, and one for arguably the wrong reasons. Jose Mourinho has done a solid job since taking over at Roma, but it feels like his time there has hit the rocks due to disagreements over recruitment. If the Portuguese icon can ride the storm, they will be a side to watch. But if not, it could be a season of ups and downs, and Mourinho may not stay the course.
Lazio, especially after Napoli’s exploits last season, are arguably the team to watch alongside Atalanta. Maurizio Sarri’s work has gone under the radar in some ways, with the Italian taking the club back into Europe’s top club competition. If they, or Atalanta, are up there at the business end, Napoli’s 2022/23 campaign could inspire them to go on and win Serie A.
What’s obvious is that the lack of funds and departures of key players and staff at and from leading Serie A clubs is a problem. And, in terms of the title race, it could come down to who copes with the turmoil the best. Or which team capitalises on what’s happening elsewhere.