Serie A 21/22 Season Preview
Fri, Aug 20.21
No money no problems - Serie A is back! The money might have dried up in Italy but that doesn’t mean Serie A won’t be exciting again this season. Sure, a bunch of key players have left the league, but with a lot of managerial changes and the national team showcasing just how talented the current crop of Italian players are, it’s another season worth paying attention too. With Italian football you know there’s going to be many twists and turns to keep everyone engaged.
In the lead up we’ve decided to chat about some of the teams battling it out for the Scudetto and European places – and Venezia. We absolutely will talk about Venezia and the best kit of 21/22.
Inter Milan
Pazza Inter alright… what an absolute kick in the teeth for Inter fans around the world. Not only have they lost the title winning coach in Antonio Conte, but they’ve also lost the man Conte got the best out of (and then some!) Romelu Lukaku and one of the best wing-backs in the game; Achraf Hakimi.
You’ve got to feel for new manager Simone Inzaghi as well. Was he completely across the fact that Inter would need to sell more than one of their best players? It doesn’t seem that way. The Inter Ultras aren’t happy about it either, letting their thoughts be known outside the club headquarters in Milan recently before the Lukaku deal to Chelsea went through. The Ultras unveiled a banner that read “To the club, watch out… promises must be maintained.” Powerful or not - the message didn’t get through to the owners.
When you consider the fact Inter received funds from the Politano move to Napoli as well, that’s around 200m they’ve pulled in this summer with outgoings. The fact Edin Dzeko is Lukaku’s replacement just isn't inspring. Dzeko is a fine player, very intelligent and a team man that brings others into the game – but is he going to hit similar numbers at the ripe old age of 35? The most likely answer is no. Duvan Zapata has also been linked and that is a signing that needs to get over the line to ensure Inzaghi has some quality options to play alongside Lautaro Martínez to make up for losing arguably Serie A’s best player.
Hakan Calhanoglu has arrived from city rivals Milan to replace Christian Eriksen while he recovers from his terrifying heart issue sustained during the Euros. Denzel Dumfries has also come in, a player who stood out for the Dutch team at the same tournament, but he’s a player whose defensive prowess might be of concern in the 3-5-2 system Inzaghi will most likely deploy.
The one solace Inter fans can hang onto is the fact that other clubs around them on the table are unable to strengthen as much as they’d like as well. If they can keep a hold of Conte’s fighting mentality and togetherness, they are a fighting chance to retain their title.
AC Milan
It’s been a Rossoneri resurgence under Stefano Pioli in recent seasons with the powerhouse club now back where they belong in the Champions League. A competition Milan used to make their own.
After putting up the most clean sheets out of anyone last season, the absence of Gigi Donnarumma is the obvious concern but the club has done a great job replacing him with Mike Maignan. Maldini and the rest of the Milan office showed strength and conviction at not being held to ransom by Mino Raiola – even if he truly is an exceptional talent.
The signing of Fikayo Tomori means they have a real solid prospect at the back to keep things under control alongside Simon Kjaer.
Pioli will be hoping for another fast start like last season, but this time around will look to push the side to maintain their title challenge for the whole season. The team’s younger players are a year older and wiser and with added experience up top with Olivier Giroud, the talent is there.
Giroud’s signing will look to provide the goals the club hoped Mario Mandzukic would provide. The signing also means he can rotate with Zlatan which should help both players at their age.
Keep an eye on Brahim Díaz – we expect him to shine this season. It’s also going to be interesting to see if Sandro Tonali manages to hit the next level after a disappointing season last year.
Atalanta
Everyone’s favourite team always manages to punch above their weight and overachieve. We’re a little bit worried about Gian Piero Gasperini’s men this season after Christian Romero’s move to Spurs and rumours around Duvan Zapata to Inter rumbling.
The club will be hoping that Robin Gosens and Joakim Mæhle shine this season after impressing at the Euros, while Juan Musso is a good signing after Pierluigi Gollini also went to Spurs.
Are these players going to be enough to make them challenge though? It looks unlikely, but Atalanta will happily prove us wrong.
Keen for a deep dive into Atalanta and why so many fans love them? Check out this cracking Derby Days feature from Copa 90.
Juventus
Throwing Andrea Pirlo into the deep end didn’t work which is something that really upsets us as fans of one of the coolest guys in football. For Juventus fans though this could work out for the best given Massimiliano Allegri, a proven winner, is returning.
One of the biggest signings of the summer is Manuel Locatelli. This instantly moves the needle for Juventus as he’ll be the first midfielder on the team sheet and easily the best in that position. He’s the type of player Juve has been needing for a while and is sure to be someone Allegri wants to work with.
Cristiano Ronaldo looks like he’s been offered to Real Madrid and others to try and get his incredibly high wages off the books. We don’t expect him to move away but wouldn’t be surprised if there was a twist late in the transfer window.
Dejan Kulusevski and Federico Chiesa will look to push on this season and are about as exciting as any players in the league. Chiesa of course starring for the national team at the Euros.
With Allegri back we expect Juventus to win it this year, but returning managers don’t often work out for the best unless your name is Zinedine Zidane. It’s going to be fascinating to see how this plays out.
Napoli
Napoli are our dark horse this season – we wouldn’t be surprised if they go very close under Luciano Spalletti. There hasn’t been much activity transfer wise but one big player coming into the equation more will be Victor Osimhen.
Missing around 25 games last season significantly impacted just how well Gennaro Gattuso’s men could play. If he stays fit this season, he could easily set the league alight with a massive haul of goals which should coincide with Napoli at least finishing in the Champions League places. Spalleti has a great track record with top strikers so expect things to be exciting from the Nigerian star.
Let's just hope there's not too much drama with owner Aurelio De Laurentiis...
Lazio
Now this will be fun! Sarriball is back in Serie A with Maurizio Sarri's return to Lazio. Will he play the same style he did at Napoli with the current players he has at his disposal? Or will he change things up slightly? It's going to be thrilling to see.
One of the craziest summer transfers has been the Pedro's move from Roma to Lazio. He has become the first player since goalkeeper Astutillo Malgioglio back in 1985 to move directly between the two clubs. We're looking forward to his reception when the first Derby della Capitale rolls around in September...
Roma
On the flip side to their city rivals attacking style of play; enter Jose Mourinho. Mourinho's move to the Eternal City has been met with massive excitement in Rome - it is clear that his stock is still very high in Italy after his famous treble with Inter Milan back in 2010.
With Nicolò Zaniolo back and having a storming pre-season already Roma, Mourinho will be hoping the stunning talent can be a real talisman up forward this season. You could argue he's the signing of the season given he didn't play at all last year. That's how good this guy is.
It's got a bit of a 'this will end in tears' vibe about it at the moment, but with this surely being Mourinho's last chance at a big European club; he's going to have to produce the goods.
Tammy Abraham is another player to look out for this season after his intriguing move away from Chelsea. He's a player that could no doubt do well away from the high expectations at his former club.
Fiorentina
Fiorentina have long been out of touch with European football let alone challenging for league titles. Will this season be different? Much of their hopes will ride on Dušan Vlahović's shoulders and whether or not he stays at the club. The Harry Kane situation at Manchester City could depend on that, with many suggesting Pep may well turn his attention to the young Serbian star if Kane doesn't make the move.
Vincenzo Italiano is the man in charge of La Viola after Gattuto's swift exit only weeks after joining the club.
Venezia
Mama mia. We have our fingers and toes crossed that Venezia survives this season. Why? So we can see their stunning kits in the top flight for years on end.
Venezia are a very well run club with solid owners and a good coach. They're every chance to scrape through and survive but will need things to go their way.
Kit wise - just wow. We hope to have some news to share regarding stock for the 21/22 Venezia gear soon. The home jersey is the best we'll see this year. Period.
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