Serie A lesser lights aim to mount a challenge despite European demands

While Inter Milan aim to retain the Serie A title and Juventus and AC Milan seek to close the gap, other Italian sides are determined to prove the league is more than a three-team contest, all while balancing increased European commitments.

Inter are favourites to lift the Scudetto again but Juve and Milan, with new coaches and players, will try to mount a challenge while the lesser lights hope to join the party.

With eight teams in Europe, the workload will be more demanding than ever for Italian clubs, especially teams that rely on a few key players for success.

SUCCESS HANGOVER

Bologna and Atalanta defied expectations with their success last season. The former stayed in the top three for much of the season before ending the campaign fifth while Atalanta produced a solid fourth place finish and won the Europa League.

Progress has brought challenges for Bologna though as their coach and several key players have left in the transfer window.

Talented manager Thiago Motta has moved to Juventus, while forward Joshua Zirkzee and defender Riccardo Calafiori have joined Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano has taken over, banking on recent signing Thijs Dallinga and Riccardo Orsolini to lead the attack.

Atalanta also face early complications due to injuries and transfers.

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is dealing with serious injuries to Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca along with the likely transfer of key midfielder Teun Koopmeiners to Juve.

While the recent signing of forward Mateo Retegui from Genoa offers some relief, Atalanta's resilience will be tested when they face Champions League winners Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw on Wednesday.

A TALE OF TWO CAPITAL TEAMS

Daniel