The Serie A odds point to another Scudetto showdown between Napoli and Inter Milan, though their rivals start the campaign reshaped after a turbulent close season that could see them close the gap after the top two finished clear of the pack.
With several clubs changing coaches, the season is shaping up to be one focused on teams laying the foundation for success. For sides battling below the contenders in the title race last term, securing a place in Europe is the main ambition.
ATALANTA WITHOUT GASPERINI
The Bergamo outfit who came third last season will for the first time since 2016 be without Gian Piero Gasperini at the helm. The 67-year-old wanted a change and took over at AS Roma, with former Roma manager Ivan Juric replacing him.
Atalanta face a struggle in attack, with last season's Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui deciding to leave for Al-Qadsiah and key striker Ademola Lookman seemingly on his way out.
Gasperini built Atalanta's identity on relentless pressing, fluid attacking patterns and a high defensive line. Juric prefers a grittier, more pragmatic approach.
The Croatian is known for favouring physicality, man-to-man marking and defensive organisation, often prioritising control and discipline over free-flowing play.
It represents a radical change for a side that became one of Europe's most entertaining under Gasperini and the challenge now lies in whether Juric can adapt his methods to Atalanta’s existing squad or has to reshape it entirely to fit his vision.
REBUILT MILAN
For the red-and-black half of Milan, this season carries the weight of redemption. A campaign promising glory delivered a Supercoppa win but was soured by heartbreak in the Coppa Italia final and an eighth-place finish that left them out of
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