Serie A- The Next Campaign- Preseason Predictions

By Sam Little

New faces from other leagues, New Managers from outside, some switching squads, if nothing else the Serie A likely had one of the most active transfer windows of any other league around the world.  Rafael Benitez coming in to manage Napoli, Rudi Garcia heading to Roma, Walter Mazzarri switching over to Inter were the most noted managerial changes, and each has contributed to an active transfer market for their respective clubs. Arguably the most competitive league next to the Premiership, the Italian Serie A brought in numerous big names to their top clubs, and is setting up to make the coming campaign one that will be without a dull moment.

Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Mario Gomez(Fiorentina), Carlos Tevez (Juventus), Kevin Strootman(Roma), Fernando Llorente (Juventus) and Pepe Reina(Napoli) are only some of the names that have been added to various rosters this season. This will not only make their respective teams more competitive in the league, but will likely make them competitive in the Champions League as well.

However one cannot truly know exactly how the season is going to turn out. Despite this though I am going to do my best to predict how the table will turn out come the end of the season:  

1. Juventus

Frankly Juventus is still leagues above everyone else in Italy.  With a world class manager in Antonio Conte, and a ton of talent added to the squad including Carlos Tevez, The Old Lady should have very little difficulty repeating as champions in Serie A as long as they do not become complacent. It also does not hurt to have a world class goalkeeper in Gigi Buffon. Additionally I think Juventus will do some damage in the Champions League as well. Do not be surprised when the Turin club makes it to the semi-finals and puts the talent of the Serie A in the global limelight once again.

2. Napoli

The most impressive offseason by far was had by Napoli. After losing Walter Mazzari to Inter Milan, they brought in Rafa Benitez to helm the club. This was a huge move that allowed for Napoli to bring in some big names. Losing Edinson Cavani will be a big loss but with all the additions added to the squad, as well as a quality replacement for Cavani in Higuain from Real Madrid, Napoli are actually looking to be a stronger side this season than last. They may even show some strength in the Champions League, something they were not able to do under Mazzari. If there is one team that could challenge for the Scudetto this year, Napoli is it.

3. Fiorentina

Finishing the season just points away from a CL bid, Fiorentina are going into this season with a new passion that should have nobody doubting that they will be able to reach the top three given strong additions and great coaching. Vincenzo Montella impressed in his first season as manager of Fiorentina, and one should not doubt he will do so with some impressive additions on the attacking end. The signing of German striker Mario Gomez shows the team is willing to invest to make itself better up front. Along with a healthy Giuseppe Rossi, Fiorentina’s front line will be one of the tops in the league.  Even with the loss of Stevan Jovetic, I think Gomez actually makes Fiorentina better, and they may just find themselves playing in the Champions League next year.

4. AC Milan

It was just two years previous where Massimiliano Allegri impressed everyone by leading Milan to the Scudetto. However, recently it seems they have not been improving overall. While one can never leave out a team sporting players such as Mario Ballotelli, I fear AC Milan will find themselves out of the top three due to conservative management. Allegri is a great builder, and helps young talent flourish, but in many cases he takes a much too conservative approach to his management, and this is what I expect to be Milan’s downfall. There was also not a whole lot of movement by the Rossoneri this past mercato, so while most teams have been improving, Milan has not been strengthening its position.

5. AS Roma

The Giallorossi are always an interesting team to watch. Two seasons ago they tried to be a mini Barcelona with Luis Enrique, then last year took the ‘YOLO’ approach with an all out attacking style with Zdenek Zemen. This season Roma seems to be taking a middle ground, bringing in a manager with a successful career at Lille in Rudi Garcia. Additionally Roma have brought in Dutch stud Kevin Strootman to bolster their midfield, and strengthened their backline with Medhi Benatia and Maicon. While the loss of a young Marquinos might hurt, the sale of him covered most of Roma’s expenses this summer. The team is now being linked with the likes of Chelsea’s Demba Ba, and Anzhi Makhachkala’s Samuel Eto’o, who would boost Roma up a spot in this ranking. If starlet Lamela stays, and is partnered up front with new addition Gervinho, and the ageless Francesco Totti, Roma may prove to be a pest to the teams atop the league.

6. Inter Milan

Struggling team last season, now with a new hot manager in Walter Mazzari. They did not get off to a great preseason, but an early Coppa win may have put some confidence into this side. Mazzari has proven that he can build a team, yet he has no real long term success with his squads. His time at Inter could prove to be pivotal to the manager as he looks to return them to the success they have had in this past decade. While I do think Mazzari will lead Inter to success, I feel it will take a few years of building and development to make it happen.

7. Lazio

Lazio is Rome’s second team and defending Coppa Italia champions. Miroslav Klose headlines a strong Lazio side that last year impressed in the Coppa, but also showed a lack of consistency towards the end of last season. This season did not get off to a good start in the Supercoppa with an embarrassing loss to Juventus. Lazio though still have the ability to breach the top five, however I do not think they added enough to put themselves back into serious contention.

8. Udinese

They sell their best young defender in Mehdi Benatia, but keep their star in Antonio Di Natale. Also bringing in some unproven young talent, Udinese is always an interesting side that proves a pest to the teams atop the table. While they finished in sixth last season, I do not see them achieving much the same this year. Di Natale is a year older, and the talent above them just seems to continually improve.

9. Atalanta

Always a pest, Atalanta since it’s promotion two years ago (and despite numerous penalties from the various involvement in the match-fixing scandals), always seems to find a way to cause problems when a team plays against them. They sometimes have proven to be pests for the top table clubs, and because of this could see them once again just above the middle of the table, and allow them to stay in Serie A.

10. Parma

Roberto Donadoni’s side intrigues me if nothing else. While I do not see them as being one of the strongest teams in the league this season, they are a very well managed side that could very easily gel together, upset a few teams atop the table, and find themselves higher than tenth. But that all depends on many different factors, so for now I will keep them mid-table

11. Bologna

Below mid-table is where things get very close. Most of these bottom 10 teams could very easily, with the exception of a few, leapfrog others if certain details go their way. Bologna I feel will have their success revolving around Alessandro Diamanti. If he stays the full season, they may be able to rise above mid-table, if not, they will likely be closer to relegation. My guess though is that Diamanti will be leaving in January if I had to guess.

12. Cagliari

Cagliari is a team with a ton of talent that has not done an extremely effective job of utilizing it. With Davide Astori continually linked with Napoli, as well as other star players drawing interest from other clubs, the look of Cagliari will be much different at the end of the season. If they do not sell anyone in January, they very likely could finish higher, but I doubt that is likely. Be prepared for them to have a rather poor second half of the season to make them finish low.

13. Torino

Always in the shadow of their city rivals Juventus, Torino is going to once again have to fight to stay in Serie A this season. They were impressive at points last season and I expect them to stay up once again due to the plethora of young talent at their disposal. With one more year of experience in the top flight under their belt, Torino is set for a solid year.

14. Sampdoria

From a Champions League contender three years ago, to relegation, and then promotion again, Sampdoria is a team who is relatively unpredictable in how they are going to play. I am not extremely impressed with their squad, which is why I do not expect them to have a great season, but then again I would not be surprised if they did finish above mid-table.

15. Sassuolo

Headlining the teams promoted this year, I feel Sassuolo are going to be somewhat impressive. They have made signings and brought in players on loan with the obvious intention to stay in Serie A for more than a one and done season. I expect Sassuolo to be like Torino was last year, and have a desire to prove that they do really belong here.

16. Genoa

Genoa has not shown me enough in the mercato to justify them being any higher. In addition, they tried to sell off their top striker in Alberto Gilardino, as he was coveted by a number of teams. While keeping him will help them out in the first half of the season, like Diamanti for Bologna, I feel he will be leaving in January, and therefore contribute to this team dropping further.

17. Hellas Verona

I do not believe Hellas Verona will be relegated, however it will be close. Luca Toni may be up front for them, but he is not as young as he used to be. Toni does provide experience and leadership that could be very helpful for a side looking to stay in the top league.

18. Catania

A squad that never seems to be toward the bottom of the table, but never breaches the top. This year though I see Catania falling toward the bottom three and being relegated. They could surprise people as always, but I see this squad getting relegated this season, due to the stronger teams promoted from Serie B this season.

19. Chievo

Similar to Catania, Chievo are a side that always seems to find a way to the middle of the table, this year though I think will be the year they get relegated. Sassuolo and Hellas Verona have both worked to get some talent to help they prolong their stay in Serie A, and because of that I do not see Chievo staying in Serie A after this season.

20. Livorno

Newly promoted side from Serie B, I fear Livorno are going to be this year’s Pescara. They will likely be the punching bag of the teams in the league and sadly find themselves relegated with only a year being back in the top flight.

It all begins this weekend, with the first games starting tomorrow. I feel it should be no surprise when I say this could be a big year for the league that is looking to get back the Champions League bid it lost a few years back.