Italian football finally returns today. After a long summer, calcio is upon us yet again.
The 2019-20 season kicks off with Parma hosting perennial champions Juventus.
Most Serie A have improved their rosters from last season, at least on paper, making for an exciting prospect.
Napoli and Inter each made significant moves over the last few months to finally give Juventus a real challenge for the Scudetto. Two former Juventus managers in Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte will be looking to make life difficult for Maurizio Sarri’s first season with the Bianconeri.
Meanwhile, there has been a good amount of turnover at Juve in addition to the coaching staff. So maybe, just maybe this season will bring the end of the Old Lady’s domestic dominance
There should be another tight race for the fourth Champions League spot. Despite keeping their star talent and adding some nice pieces in Luis Muriel and Martin Skrtel, Atalanta will have their hands full with their inaugural Champions League campaign.
Considering their financial restraints, AC Milan made some solid signings while Marco Giampaolo should bring a more attractive playing style to the Rossoneri.
AS Roma underwent a summer of transition appointing a man with no Serie A experience in Paulo Fonseca and letting club captain Daniele De Rossi leave as his contract expired. There do seem to be a decent amount of question marks surrounding the Giallorossi at the moment but the potential for a good season is there.
Coming off their Coppa Italia title, Lazio managed to keep their star players and make some nice little additions. Head coach Simeone Inzaghi will look to remain competitive in the race for European competition.
Torino dropped the first-leg of their Europa League playoff to Wolverhampton on Thursday but expect them to continue to be solidly consistent under Walter Mazzarri.
Sampdoria look set for an ownership takeover while new manager Eusebio Di Francesco will look to emulate his success during his time at Sassuolo using his 4-3-3.
Many mid-table teams made impressive moves this summer.
Under new owner Rocco Commisso, Fiorentina made a mix of experienced, Franck Ribery and Kevin-Prince Boateng, and young promising signings. La Viola are definitely aiming to reach the top half of the table after last season’s disaster.
Cagliari made some very nice additions with the return of Radja Nainggolan, and midfield captures of Nahitan Nández and Marko Rog.
While head coach Siniša Mihajlović was recently diagnosed with leukemia, he will stay on board while being treated. Sabatini made some very under-the-radar signings as the Rossoblù look to remain mid-table.
Along with a new attacking-minded coach in Aurelio Andreazzoli, Genoa also made nice improvements. A big haul from Ajax in Lasse Schone, nice attacking additions in Andrea Pinamonti and Riccardo Saponara, and defensive reinforcements with Antonio Barreca and Cristian Zapata. Expect a vast improvement from their 17th finish last season.
Parma and SPAL will look to remain mainstays in the top division.
Out of the newcomers, Brescia is certainly the most exciting mainly due to Mario Balotelli and the young talent Sandro Tonali.
All in all, the 2019-20 campaign is shaping up to be entertaining on multiple levels.
We hope you follow along with us for the new season and the last two weeks of the transfer market!
