Inter favourites to retain Serie A title with rivals under new management
Italy's Serie A is set to begin on August 22, with the Scudetto race proving more competitive than in recent years. Inter Milan, the reigning champions, are favored to retain their title despite a significant generational shift within the squad. Keeper Yann Sommer has departed, while veteran Ivan Provedel has returned as backup for Josep Martinez.
The defense will be bolstered by new signings John Stones, 32, Manuel Akanji, and Djed Spence, who will form a strong backline alongside Stones and Spence. The departure of Denzel Dumfries and Stefan de Vrij to Real Madrid and Panathinaikos, respectively, further strengthens Inter's position. Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram will continue to lead the attack, which secured Inter a Serie A and Coppa Italia double last season.
However, Chivu acknowledges that Inter's victory was largely due to stability and delivering when it mattered. Napoli and AC Milan, on the other hand, face more uncertainty as their management undergoes change. At Napoli, Antonio Conte's pragmatic defensive style no longer aligns with the club's attacking prowess, leading to the departure of striker Romelu Lukaku for Fenerbahce.
Ruben Amorim has taken charge, promising a more aggressive playing style, and striker Goncalo Ramos has joined from Paris Saint-Germain to address the team's goal-scoring issues. At AC Milan, Massimiliano Allegri's dismissal has paved the way for Ruben Amorim to take over with a more ambitious approach. The arrival of Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain and veterans Luka Modric and Mario Gila provide Milan with a solid foundation.
Meanwhile, Como and AS Roma aim to capitalize on their recent success by building on last season's momentum. Como's Champions League qualification and the retention of star player Nico Paz will help them challenge at the highest level, while Roma's seven-match unbeaten streak in the final stretch of the season has earned them a third-place finish and a goal for a deep Champions League run.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
