Ahead of the imminent Serie A season, Outside90 takes a look at what teams can trouble Juventus in the race for the league title.
The sight of Juventus’ unwavering stronghold on the Italian Serie A akin to that of Celtic in the Scottish premiership, has caused many purists to begrudgingly accept their dominance as simply part and parcel with Italian football. Despite this, the lead up 2016-17 season has given a few rays of hope that this season may not be so cut and dry. Here are our picks for 3 sides that could stand in the way of Juve’s fifth successive Scudetto.
Milan
As painful a reality as it may be, the Manchester City’s, and the PSG’s of the world have proven beyond doubt that money can certainly win football trophies. And while it isn’t directly correlated to success, Chinese investors’ €740 million buyouy; pardon us, we mean Berlusconi’s “act of love”, sees all their debt wiped clean, with an ample surplus to splash some serious cash in the transfer market.
Additionally, despite his 30 year tenure, it has been evident for half a decade that the Berlusconi-Milan dictatorship had to be put to an end if the club is to move forward and challenge Juventus again. With links to Samir Nasri, Adnan Januzaj and Isco just name a few, Milan’s financial influx is sure to play a role in their 2016-17 season.
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Inter
Dutch managers and 4-3-3s. A winning combination just as good as a kebab after a night out, with the same subtle and confusing sense of romance. Frank de Boer’s introduction to the San Siro touchline off the back of four titles in five seasons is sure to display to the club’s faithful, and the rest of the league, at the very least a signal of intent after an underwhelming last few years at Internazionale.
In signing de Boer he is the first non-Italian manager in half a decade at the club. De Boer’s expected 4-3-3 system will be a breath of fresh air from a typically narrow setup under Roberto Mancini which lacked a flair and enterprise exemplified by a meek 50 goal return last season. The Dutchman could prove just the tonic to Juve’s Serie A supremacy.
Napoli
Despite the loss of star man Gonzalo Higuain, Napoli are a side to be underestimated at your own peril. As well as maintaining the majority of the core group of players from their runner up finishing side last year, the southerners have a trait that the very few clubs in the world can boast, being the ability to play for the pride of the city.
With manager Maurizio Sarri and key wide man Lorenzo Insigne both being natives to the area, in addition to foreigners Dries Mertens and Marek Hamsik both proclaiming their pride and love for the city, the players share a common ground with the fans, which could be invaluable in securing their first Serie A title in 26 years.
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