Champions League runners-up Juventus are favourites to claim a fifth straight Scudetto, however with the two Milan sides as well asa host of others improving, the upcoming Serie A campaign promises to be as intriguing as ever. Outside90’s Frank Garrasi takes a look at how the teams in Italy’s top division may fare this season.
AC Milan
New coach. More funds. Same old Milan? Club President Silvio Berlusconi and CEO Adriano Galliani addressed the team’s needs in a somewhat efficient manner following a 10th place finish in 2014-15.
Former Rossoneri favourite Filippo Inzaghi was dismissed after a disastrous campaign as manager of the club, replaced by former Sampdoria boss Siniša Mihajlovic, while the club’s transfer dealings have, overall, been positive. Players capable of taking Milan to the next level, such as Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano, José Mauri, and Alessio Romagnoli have been added to the team, though many Milanisti would not be impressed with Galliani’s decision to sell the iconic and highly talented Stephan El Shaarawy to Monaco.
The prospect of a return to the Europa League in 2016-17 does not appear to be too far off, though the defence still needs some work in order for Mihajlovic’s side to challenge for a top three finish.
Predicted finish – 5th
Atalanta
La Dea look to be in for another tough campaign after finishing one spot above the relegation zone last season.
Edy Reja’s side has seen Chilean Mauricio Pinilla added to it on a permanent basis, along with Sassuolo’s Jasmin Kurtic, Heerenveen’s Marten de Roon, and others. The side has, however, seen key figures such as Tunisian centre-back Yohan Benalouane and marauding right-back Davide Zappacosta leave for Leicester City and Torino respectively.
Atalanta will once more have to rely on the goalscoring exploits of 33-year-old Germán Denis, the tricky wing play of Alejandro Gomez and the goalkeeping heroics of young Italian Marco Sportiello in order to retain their top flight status.
The Lombardy-based club will have another difficult season in Serie A, and avoiding relegation must be Reja’s aim for 2015-16.
Predicted finish – 18th
Bologna
Back in Serie A at the first time of asking via the play-offs, Bologna appear to be the best equipped of the three promoted sides to remain in Italy’s top division upon the season’s end.
The signings of goalkeeper Antonio Mirante, 20-year-old full-back Ibrahima Mbaye, and defender Luca Rossettini from Parma, Inter Milan, and Cagliari respectively compliment the squad, whilst the incoming loan of Lorenzo Crisetig from Inter could also prove to be an inspired deal. It is the impending arrival of Roma forward Mattia Destro, however, that looks to be a fundamental one. His goals may help the club ensure its top flight status.
More of the same please, Mattia.
Without losing any key players from last season and investing wisely, Delio Rossi’s side looks capable of going into 2016-17 still in the top tier, though it could be a struggle.
Predicted finish – 16th
Carpi
Like Bournemouth in the Premier League, Carpi’s rise to Serie A has attracted admirers from across the globe. Playing in Italy’s fifth division as recent as 2009, the club from the Modena province will now be fighting amongst the big boys of Italian football.
Young striker Jerry Mbakogu, Kevin Lasagna, and loanees Zeljko Brkic andWallace will be fundamental for the newly promoted club this season, however it is their experienced coach, Fabrizio Castori, that may pull the Biancorossi over the line.
It will be a draining campaign for Carpi. As much as many neutrals hope to see Castori’s men avoid relegation, it is a difficult ask, but one that can be pulled off.
Predicted finish – 17th
Chievo
Rolando Maran’s men survived the 2014-15 season comfortably in the end, however this campaign may pose an even greater challenge.
A big loss for the Gialloblu is Bosnian left-back Ervin Zukanovic, who has joined Sampdoria on loan. Chievo will look to AC Milan youth product Alberto Paloschi for goals, whilst Përparim Hetemaj and new arrival Paul-Jose M’Poku will prove influential from midfield.
Predicted finish – 15th
Empoli
This could be a long and arduous campaign for the Tuscans.
The tactically astute Maurizio Sarri replaced Rafa Benitez at Napoli and took midfielder Mirko Valdifiori and young left-back Elseid Hysaj with him. As well as this, Daniele Rugani, an ever present for the Azzurri last term, returned to his parent club Juventus. Riccardo Saponara and veteran striker Massimo Maccarone will be key elements in ensuring Empoli do not suffer second season syndrome.
Predicted finish – 20th.
Fiorentina
2015-16 promises to be an interesting season for the Viola. Vincenzo Montella, sacked for allegedly failing to respect the club by stalling in contract negotiations, was replaced by former Basel manager Paulo Sousa.
Brazilian goalkeeper Neto, centre-back Stefan Savic, and Mario Gómez have left for Juventus, Atlético Madrid, and Besiktas respectively whilst Mario Suarez, Davide Astori (on loan), and striker Nikola Kalinic are the only key acquisitions made so far.
New manager Sousa will have to follow up on Montella’s sterling work at the club by being a great motivator and tactician for a squad that has seemingly punched above its weight under the former manager.
Predicted finish – 7th
Frosinone
Another unlikely fairy tale promotion story, Frosinone finished runners-up in Serie B last season to cement their participation in Italy’s top division. They are, however, viewed by many pundits as one of the sides likely to make the drop to Serie B.
Utilising the loan market to great effect, the Canarini have bought in plenty of talent. Gifted youngsters Nicola Leali, Daniele Verdi, and Samuele Longo have been added to aid the club’s hopes of retaining their place in Serie A. This may not be enough, though, and Roberto Stellone’s side will need to make the 10,000 capacity Stadio Matusa a fortress if they are to have any hope of survival.
Predicted finish – 19th
Genoa
An extremely productive 2014-15 that saw the Rossoblu finish just four points behind fifth place Napoli has been met with some negativity as Genoa failed to gain a license to compete in the Europa League. This may be a blessing in disguise for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, though, as his current squad does not boast enough depth to compete on multiple fronts.
As well as this, the club have made some astute signings, with Goran Pandev, Ezequiel Muñoz, Darko Lazovic, and Serge Gakpé just some of those. The losses of Iago Falque, Facundo Roncaglia, and Bertolacci, though, will hit the team hard.
Key players for the upcoming campaign include Italy’s future no.1 Mattia Perin, captain Nicolás Burdisso, and Juraj Kucka. Repeating last season’s heroics will be unlikely, however the current squad at Gasperini’s disposal is still a talented one that can achieve a respectable mid-table finish.
Predicted finish – 9th
Inter Milan
The Nerazzurri have made big splashes in the transfer market so far, acquiring Jeison Murillo, Geoffrey Kondogbia, João Miranda, Martín Montoya, Jonathan Biabiany, and Stevan Jovetic.
With Mancini’s side almost complete the club looks on course to challenge for a top three spot this season, the only issue is gelling the squad together with so many additions. The sales of Xherdan Shaqiri and Mateo Kovacic, however, are mind-baffling and major setbacks that could have easily been avoided, with the latter in particular symbolising a monumental loss for Inter.
Key players for Internazionale include last season’s joint-top-scorer in Serie A, Mauro Icardi, Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, and the aforementioned Kondogbia.
Predicted finish – 4th
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