Turin giants Juventus have dominated the Italian top-flight in recent years, as the Bianconeri have now won the Scudetto on seven consecutive occasions.
It is hard to see the champions’ dominance being challenged by any team in the Italian top-flight in the new season. Here are the teams most likely to challenge for the title in season 2018/19:
Juventus
The Bianconeri are once again the favourites to win the Italian top-flight title. The champions produced the ultimate signal of intent by signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid for a reported fee of around £85million.
Max Allegri’s side also signed Emre Can from Liverpool, Joao Cancelo from Valencia, Douglas Costa from Bayern Munich and goalkeeper Matteo Perrin from Genoa. The Bianconeri are well prepared to fight for titles at home and abroad.
Napoli
The team from Naples have been Juventus’ biggest title challengers in recent years. However, the Azzurri will start the campaign with a new boss, as Carlo Ancelotti has arrived to replace Chelsea-bound Maurizio Sarri.
Last season’s runners-up have strengthened their squad with the signings of midfielders Simone Verdi and Fabian Ruiz from Bologna and Real Betis respectively. However, their biggest outlet was the £31million they paid Udinese for goalkeeper Alex Meret.
For all the signings, Ancelotti’s arrival may have the biggest effect for the Neapolitans, as the veteran boss has major experience of winning titles in Italy, German and England. The former Chelsea boss will need all his experience to help his side win the Scudetto in the new campaign.
Roma
Roma have been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in some exciting young talent to the Italian capital. The Giallorossi have brought in exciting younger players in Justin Kluivert, Ante Coric, Bryan Cristante and William Bianda.
However, their marquee signing is arguably the signing of Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore, who arrived from big-spending French outfit PSG. Former Newcastle full-back Davide Santon has also joined from Sampdoria, while Swedish international goalkeeper Robin Olsen has arrived from Copenhagen.
However, this summer has not been all about players arriving, as Belgian central midfielder Radja Nainggolan has left the club to join Inter for a fee in the region of £33million. Highly-rated Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker has joined Liverpool for £67million.
The Giallorossi’s summer signings have been exciting. However, last season’s Champions League semi-finalists will miss the aforementioned Alisson and Nainggolan. The club from the Italian capital could be the dark horses for the Scudetto in the new season if all their new players live up to their billing.
Inter
The Nerazzurri look to have made some smart moves in the transfer market, including picking up Stefan De Vrij and Kwadwo Asamoah in free transfers.
However, the most eye-catching signings for the men from Milan is of Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan and young Argentinian striker Lautaro Martinez. The latter has been labelled ‘the new Sergio Aguero’, so could prove to be a shrewd signing for the Nerazzurri.
Inter seem outside bets for the Italian title but are likely to challenge for Serie A’s top-four and a Champions League spot.
Prediction
Roma and Inter have made some exciting additions to their squads this summer. However, there is a big unpredictability factor about the pair, as their signings may need time to settle in their new surroundings.
Napoli may have lost highly-rated boss Maurizio Sarri, but have appointed a very able replacement in iconic former AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti. However, even the highly experienced Ancelotti may not be able to wrestle the title away from Juventus.
The Bianconeri have had such a stranglehold on the Scudetto in recent seasons that it has been difficult for any team to get near them. The signing of Ronaldo has just strengthened their position in Serie A, and they are likely to once again dominate the Italian top-flight.
