As the summer sun sets on the transfer window, Italy`s top football league, Serie A, gears up for what promises to be one of its most fascinating and unpredictable seasons in recent memory. The 2025-26 campaign, kicking off on August 23rd, arrives hot on the heels of a 2024-25 season that saw Napoli clinch the Scudetto in a thrilling finale. Yet, the landscape has been dramatically reshaped, not merely by player movements, but by an unprecedented managerial merry-go-round that has seen seven of last season`s top ten clubs usher in new leadership. This is a league in transition, where tactical philosophies are being rebooted, and familiar faces return to vastly altered scenarios.
The Scudetto Quest: Continuity vs. Reinvention
Napoli: Defending Their Throne with Conte`s Command
Leading the charge for a repeat performance are Napoli. Under the unwavering command of Antonio Conte, who commendably resisted overtures from Juventus, the reigning champions appear stronger than ever. Their transfer strategy has been nothing short of audacious, securing a generational talent like Kevin De Bruyne as a free agent, alongside promising additions such as Noa Lang, Sam Beukema, Lorenzo Lucca, and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. With an already formidable squad further bolstered, and a tactical maestro at the helm, Napoli enters the season as the clear frontrunner. Their competitors, meanwhile, are largely navigating new managerial terrains, granting Napoli a distinct advantage of stability and refined synergy.
Inter: The Chivu Conundrum
In contrast, Inter Milan faces a significant paradigm shift. After a disappointing trophy-less end to their previous campaign, culminating in a resounding 5-0 defeat in the Champions League final against PSG, the club parted ways with Simone Inzaghi. In his place steps 2010 Champions League winner Cristian Chivu. Chivu`s Serie A experience is notably sparse, having coached Parma for only 13 games last year to avoid relegation. While Inter`s roster remains undeniably strong, the absence of a seasoned top-flight manager introduces an element of considerable uncertainty. This is a brave new world for the Nerazzurri, or perhaps, a very green one, where the squad`s inherent quality will be put to the ultimate test against a coach`s learning curve.
AC Milan: Allegri`s Return to Rebuild
The Rossoneri faithful welcome back a familiar, yet now more complex, figure: Massimiliano Allegri. His previous Scudetto triumph with AC Milan in 2010-11 evokes fond memories, but his return this season is met with a vastly different challenge. The club has offloaded key players such as midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City and Theo Hernandez to Al-Hilal, signaling a rebuilding phase. Allegri`s task is Herculean: to replicate Napoli`s previous season success (winning the title without European distractions) while simultaneously reassembling a competitive core capable of securing a coveted Champions League spot. It`s a testament to his reputation that he`s expected to deliver, but the path ahead is fraught with the echoes of departure and the demands of reconstruction.
The European Race: Ambition Meets Opportunity
Juventus: Tudor`s New Era
Juventus, after replacing Thiago Motta with Igor Tudor, embarks on another cyclical refresh. With former sport director Cristiano Giuntoli also departing, the Bianconeri are in the midst of a strategic overhaul. While further roster adjustments are anticipated, their inherent strength positions them well for a Champions League berth. The question remains: can Tudor quickly imprint his vision and navigate the pressures of Turin`s demanding football culture?
AS Roma: Gasperini`s Grand Experiment
Perhaps the most intriguing managerial move sees Gian Piero Gasperini leave Atalanta after nine transformative years to take the helm at AS Roma. Fresh off winning the 2024 UEFA Europa League, Gasperini arrives in the Eternal City with a mandate to elevate Roma beyond their disappointing previous season. The Giallorossi, now with Claudio Ranieri serving as an advisor, have explicitly sought a manager of Gasperini`s proven caliber. Can the architect of Atalanta`s modern success replicate his tactical marvels and bring sustained European glory to the capital?
Como: The Unexpected Contender
If there`s a club poised to shatter expectations, it`s Como. Having invested over $100 million this summer to significantly bolster their squad, their ambition is palpable. The club`s resolute decision to keep manager Cesc Fabregas, even amidst interest from Inter, underscores their long-term vision. Como isn`t just aiming to survive Serie A; they`re aiming to thrive, with Fabregas at the forefront of what could become Italian football`s next compelling success story. Their season promises to be not merely a surprise, but a statement.
Fiorentina & Bologna: Sustaining Momentum
Fiorentina welcomes back Stefano Pioli, previously with AC Milan and Al-Nassr, in a move that signals a renewed push for European football. With key players like Moise Kean retained, expectations are high for them to improve on their sixth-place finish. Meanwhile, Bologna, fresh off a Champions League qualification two years prior and a Coppa Italia win last season under Vincenzo Italiano, faces the challenge of consolidating their status. Signings like Ciro Immobile and Federico Bernardeschi indicate a clear intent to compete on the international stage, but the leap from domestic success to European consistency is always the most formidable.
Atalanta & Lazio: Rebuilding and Resilience
The post-Gasperini era at Atalanta begins with Ivan Juric, a manager with strong ties to Gasperini`s tactical lineage. However, Juric`s recent struggles at Roma and Southampton cast a shadow of doubt. He has precious little time to prove he can fill the considerable void left by his predecessor. Lazio, despite the return of the highly regarded Maurizio Sarri, grapples with significant financial constraints that have limited their transfer market activity. Sarri`s tactical genius will be stretched to its limits to compensate for a squad that, through no fault of his own, has not been substantially improved.
The Mid-Table and Relegation Fights
Further down the table, a cluster of teams aims for stability. Torino, under new manager Marco Baroni, and Udinese, maintaining consistency under Kosta Runjaic despite losing key striker Lorenzo Lucca, are expected to avoid the relegation dogfight. Genoa, now guided by Patrick Vieira, is also likely to steer clear of immediate danger, but a European push remains premature for them.
The battle to avoid the drop promises its own intense drama. Parma has made perhaps the boldest, and riskiest, managerial appointment by entrusting their fate to 29-year-old Carlos Cuesta, formerly Mikel Arteta`s assistant at Arsenal. Cuesta becomes the youngest manager in Serie A history, a decision that speaks volumes about daring vision, or perhaps just a willingness to gamble. Sassuolo, returning to Serie A after a brief stint in the second division, will leverage their financial backing to secure their top-flight status once more, aiming for their characteristic consistency. Cagliari, with former U19 manager Fabio Pisacane now at the helm, relies on established Serie A experience to navigate the treacherous waters of survival.
The newly promoted sides, and those perennially teetering on the edge, face an uphill climb. Cremonese, despite recruiting relegation-escape artist Davide Nicola, desperately needs squad reinforcements. Lecce`s decision to appoint Eusebio Di Francesco, coupled with potential key player exits, makes their survival bid particularly precarious. Finally, Pisa, returning to Serie A after over three decades, appears to be the most vulnerable. Their immediate future hinges on a rapid acquisition of Serie A-proven talent to prevent a swift return to the lower divisions.
A Season of Stories Unfolding
The 2025-26 Serie A season is not just about points and positions; it`s a grand narrative of ambition, adaptation, and unforeseen challenges. From the established giants navigating unprecedented change to the hopeful newcomers dreaming of legacies, Italy`s top flight is poised to deliver a captivating blend of tactical evolution and raw footballing drama. Get ready for a campaign where every decision, on and off the pitch, could dictate destiny.
Percy Harlow