Outside90’s 2015-16 Serie A preview continues with Frank Garrasi assessing how teams including Juventus, Roma, and Lazio may perform this coming campaign.
Juventus
The champions are heavy favourites to retain their Serie A crown for a record fifth consecutive season, though with key departures in the form of Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez, and Arturo Vidal, the going may not be as easy.
New arrivals, however, have been bought in to help breathe fresh air into Massimiliano Allegri’s sqaud. Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Simone Zaza, Sami Khedira and Neto are the main signings the Bianconeri have made during the transfer window. FC Porto’s Brazilian left-back Alex Sandro has signed and an attacking-midfielder is expected to join in the coming days.
Anything less than another Scudetto will be seen as a failure for the Old Lady, and after running away with the title last season, finishing 17 points ahead of second-placed Roma, it is widely forecasted that similar events will transpire.
Predicted finish – first
Lazio
After a brilliant campaign last time out, an increased amount of pressure is on Stefano Pioli and his men to reproduce some of last season’s brilliant work.
Scoring the second-highest amount of goals in Serie A in 2014-15 (71, only one behind Juve), and conceding the third lowest amount (38), the Biancocelesti have all the cogs in place to manufacture another stellar season. With more depth added in order to cope with the rigours of midweek action, the Rome-based club will look to solidify their place as an Italian giant once more.
Considering the limited resources at the club’s disposal, it is fair to say that those at the head of the transfer dealings have invested wisely. Young talent has been bought in on the cheap, some of which include Dutch duo Ricardo Kishna and Wesley Hoedt, Serbia Under-20 World Cup hero Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and the dazzling but controversial Ravel Morrison.
Having said this, repeating last season’s wonders will prove to be an onerous task, especially with midweek football on the agenda in 2015-16. And with the two Milan sides and Napoli likely to improve, Lazio may suffer as a result. Key players include Felipe Anderson, Antonio Candreva, Lucas Biglia, and Stefan de Vrij.
Predicted finish – sixth
Napoli
The Partenopei’s previous campaign cannot be viewed as anything else but a failed one.
Seemingly regressing during Rafa Benitez’s second season in charge, a side with such incredible talent could only manage fifth in the end, losing out 4-2 at home to Lazio on the final day of the season in a clutch match.
With the manager gone and Maurizio Sarri, a renowned tactician who worked minor miracles at Empoli last season, coming in, the sense of anticipation is high for Napoli fans heading into the new campaign. The acquisitions of defensive-midfielder Allan, left-back Elseid Hysaj, and Pepe Reina (in his second coming at the club) appear to be some of the best done in the transfer market so far in Italy, and Sarri is a man who can get the best out of such a gifted group.
With Gonzalo Higuaín looking likely to hang around for another season at the Stadio San Paolo, the club should make a return to Champions League football sooner rather than later.
Predicted finish – third
(LaPresse – Jennifer Lorenzini)
Palermo
Having lost the club’s best player in 2014-15 in Dybala is a bitter blow to the Sicilians, however there still seems to be enough quality in the squad to help keep Giuseppe Iachini’s side afloat this term.
Dybala’s strike partner last season, Franco Vázquez, is capable of repeating such performances that saw him form a fearsome partnership with the eventual Juventus signing and he will be pivotal for the Rosanero this term. Young Swede Robin Qaison, who has been scintillating in preseason, could also be another vital performer for Iachini’s side, as well as new signings Oscar Hiljemark and Uroš Ðurdjevic.
Dybala’s departure and the loss of former captain Édgar Barreto are colossal, though ones that have been adequately covered. The Sicilian side should remain in the top flight for another season.
Predicted finish – 14th
Roma
Rudi García will be expecting to mount a more substantial title challenge following the investment made to his squad. Despite losing talented personnel such as Mattia Destro, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Alessio Romagnoli and Andrea Bertolacci, the squad that has been assembled under García’s watch is an exciting one. Some of the capital club’s best business include the arrivals of Edin Dzeko, Brazilian wonderkid Gerson, Antonio Rüdiger, Mohamed Salah, and Wojciech Szczesny.
As well as Dzeko, the Giallorossi’s key players this coming campaign include Radja Nainggolan, Miralem Pjanic, and a fit Kevin Strootman. If this midfield trio fires and the Bosnian striker is on form, expect García’s men to put up more of a fight than last season.
Predicted finish – second
Sampdoria
Another club with a new manager. Siniša Mihajlovic departed the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for the San Siro with AC Milan calling his name. Former Italian goalkeeper Walter Zenga was announced as the Serb’s replacement, which was seen by many as a strange appointment due to the former Catania manager’s inability to remain in charge of a club for an extended period.
This aside, Samp have seen a number of last season’s important team members leave, some of which include Pedro Obiang, Stefano Okaka, Samuel Eto’o, and Romagnoli (on loan at the club last season). Luis Muriel has joined the club on a permanent basis after impressing on loan in 2014-15, though this looks to be the only accession that could lift the side.
Predicted finish – 10th
Sassuolo
One of Serie A’s more modest clubs, the Neroverdi have seen very little player turnover in comparison to others in the league. Dynamic striker Zaza has joined Juve in an €18 million deal, though Domenico Berardi (one of Italy’s most talented youngsters) has signed on to the club permanently. Other notable arrivals include gifted midfielders Alfred Duncan (on loan) and Grégoire Defrel.
With the club’s Serie A status appearing stable, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side could be in for another mid-table finish.
Predicted finish – 11th
Torino
Apart from the inevitable loss of Matteo Darmian to Manchester United, the Granata have had an extremely productive transfer window, bringing in young full-back Davide Zappacosta, Ghanaian midfielder Afriyie Acquah, former Inter man Joel Obi, and 21-year-old striker Andrea Belotti to name but a few.
One of the winners in the transfer market so far prior to the opening of the campaign, Giampiero Ventura’s side looks to be on course for an impressive 2015-16.
Predicted finish – eighth
Udinese
Under new management following Andrea Stramaccioni’s sacking, the Stadio Friuli club appears to be toiling in minor turmoil. Experienced manager Stefano Colantuono has taken the reigns at the club, with avoiding relegation the main aim for the former Atalanta boss after the side ended the season in 16th place.
Having guided his previous squads to some respectable mid-table finishes, though, safety by a comfortable margin is a possibility. One major setback that could destabilise this vision is the sale of Brazilian Allan to Napoli. The defensive midfielder was a key component in his former side’s survival, committing the most successful tackles in the league with 133, a considerable way ahead of Përparim Hetemaj in second with 85.
The signings of Iraqi left-back Ali Adnan and Duván Zapata (on loan) could help alleviate the pain of this loss, however.
Predicted finish – 12th
Verona
The Gialloblu go into the new season having done reasonably well in the transfer market. As well as having last season’s joint-top-scorer in the league, Luca Toni, on their books, former Milan man Giampaolo Pazzini has joined the club on a free transfer, potentially forming what could be a dangerous striking partnership. Other key arrivals include left-back Michelangelo Albertazzi (also acquired from AC Milan), and Rômulo, who arrives on loan from Juventus.
The onus will be on the aforementioned duo up front to produce the goals that will help keep Andrea Mandorlini’s side in Serie A, as well as the versatile Rômulo. The team is capable of remaining in Serie A, and last season’s 13th place finish may be on the cards again.
Predicted finish – 13th
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