It’s been 80 or so days since the final whistle blew on the 2021/22 Serie A season, and now we are just days away from the start of a brand-new campaign. This time around, AC Milan are the team tasked with defending the Scudetto – a feat the Rossoneri last achieved in 1991/92, 1992/93 and 1993/94, completing the three-peat in 1994.
With the league making its long-awaited return this weekend, we take a look at five of the top sides in Italy and their prospects heading into the new season.
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AC MILAN
Ending a title drought is one thing, but doing it at the expense of your city rivals on the last day of the season must have made the wait worthwhile for the Rossoneri. However, Serie A has proven to be an unpredictable league in the past two seasons, so Stefano Pioli and his team will need to fire on all cylinders if they are to build on last season's success and defend their title.
Speaking of firing on all cylinders, the addition of Divock Origi certainly provides Pioli with plenty of attacking options alongside Rafael Leao, Olivier Giroud, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - whose playing time will be limited as he recovers from knee surgery - while the acquisition of 21-year-old Belgian attacking midfielder Charles De Ketelaere from Club Brugge, paired with Sandro Tonali, brings creativity and excitement in the middle of the park.
On the other hand, the exits of Franck Kessie and Alessio Romagnoli will undoubtedly have an impact on the team, but given Pioli's positive influence since joining, AC Milan are expected to successfully defend their throne come June 2023.
INTER MILAN
The blue half of Milan narrowly missed out on the title last season, but they did have a taste of domestic success, winning the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana in Simeone Inzaghi’s first season in charge. The former Lazio manager was met with a mixed reception when he was first announced as the head coach, although his first stint can be considered a success, with the club winning silverware and making the Uefa Champions League round of 16.
The Nerazzurri have welcomed back Romelu Lukaku, who joins on a one-year loan from Chelsea. The Belgian will be looking to replicate the form he enjoyed under Antonio Conte and re-ignite his partnership with Lautaro MartÃnez - a pairing that produced 41 goals and 20 assists during the 2020-21 campaign.
Other incomings include Andre Onana from Ajax and Henrik Mkhitaryan, who joined on a free transfer from Roma. Notable departures are Ivan Perisic, Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, and Alexander Kolarov, who retired at the end of last season.
JUVENTUS
Juventus, who have dominated Italian football for the majority of the previous 10 years, have seen a decline in success over the past two years. From the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Andrea Pirlo’s short stint as manager, Juventus have lacked an identity both on and off the field, and it shows as the Bianconeri finished in fourth place for two successive seasons. However, the 2022-23 season provides a glimmer of hope for the Old Lady and it all starts with the squad Max Allegri has at his disposal.
With players such as Paulo Dybala, Federico Bernardeschi, Giorgio Chiellini, and Matthijs de Ligt, all leaving the club in the summer, Juventus have replaced them with Paul Pogba, Angel di Maria and Gleison Bremer, who arrived from rivals Torino. Adding the likes of Dušan Vlahovic, Federico Chiesa, and Arthur to the mix surely makes Juventus strong contenders for a first Scudetto since 2019.
A key match for Juventus will be their penultimate encounter of the season when they take on AC Milan in what could be a potential title decider. That is certainly one to keep an eye on.
NAPOLI
Napoli are another side that has made progress under the leadership of new coach Luciano Spalletti. However, there seems to be a pattern developing with the Naples-based outfit. They tend to start the season on the strong foot, ready to take on the best of Italy, only to fall behind as the season progresses. And this season could be tricky for Napoli, who are participating in Champions League football for the first time in three years. That is an adjustment not too many teams can get accustomed to, especially with the World Cup looming.
They possess a lethal striker in Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian Super Eagle has been a man on fire since joining in 2020, netting 24 times in 51 league appearances. The departures of Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne, and longtime defensive stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly have left Luciano Spalletti in a tricky situation heading into the new season.
Will they have enough firepower and stability to challenge the Scudetto while balancing the high demands of Tuesday/Wednesday night football?
AS ROMA
You cannot speak about Roma and not mention Jose Mourinho, a serial winner, a master tactician and the most decorated coach managing in the Serie A right now. He has given Roma an identity and a certain swagger, having led them to their first European final in 31 years after winning the inaugural Uefa Europa Conference League last season.
That victory provided them with their first European cup since their triumph in the 1960-61 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, which would become the Uefa Cup and is now the Europa League. The club finished fifth during the 2022-23 campaign, which is certainly a building block for a side that has not won the Scudetto in over 21 years.
Expectations in Rome are high following a number of marquee signings in the summer, the club brought in Georginio Wijnaldum on loan from PSG, Paulo Dybala and Nemanja Matic on free transfers from Juventus and Manchester United respectively, and right-back Zeki Celik from Lille.
Considering that they have Tammy Abraham, who netted 27 goals (all comps) in his debut season, a promising prospect in Nicolo Zaniolo, and the experience of Chris Smalling and Rui Patricio at the heart of the defence, the Giallorossi are certainly expected to challenge at the summit if not seal a top-four finish.
Watch the 2022/23 Serie A season LIVE on SuperSport.