Serie A 2025-26 before the kickoff: Will it still be a Napoli vs Inter race for the Scudetto?

21/08/2025 14:46:00 soccer

Countless upheavals among the top teams over the summer have made the upcoming Serie A season hard to forecast. In the midst of this "great transformation," the Scudetto will probably once again be contested mainly by Napoli and Inter, the two strongest and most stable forces. Yet Milan, Juventus, and Roma won’t simply stand aside.

This weekend, Serie A kicks off again with the opening game between last season’s two champions, as Sassuolo (the reigning Serie B winners) welcome Napoli (the reigning Serie A champions).

Will the Napoli-Inter rivalry continue?

Just a week ago, Napoli was still regarded as the top favorite for the title. Their remarkable consistency justified the confidence placed in them. Retaining coach Antonio Conte amid the managerial whirlwind guarantees continuity in philosophy and ambition, while keeping the core that secured last season’s Scudetto and adding a genuine champion in Kevin De Bruyne further demonstrates their thorough preparation to defend the title, even aiming for a period of dominance.

However, Romelu Lukaku’s serious injury has altered the situation. The key striker may miss the entire first half of the season, plunging the team into a manpower crisis upfront. Napoli’s solutions in the final days of the transfer window will determine their chances to defend the title—something no team has managed since Juventus in the 2019-20 season. Will they be able to sign a top-class striker as a replacement, or will they need to overhaul their entire tactical system to cope with the challenge?

Napoli’s setback has put Inter Milan back as the leading title contenders. Despite parting ways with Simone Inzaghi, the Nerazzurri still boast a highly talented squad—a "team built to fight" with plenty of experience. They remain runners-up in both Serie A and Europe, which is a foundation that cannot be underestimated.

Inter’s biggest uncertainty lies in the head coach position. Entrusting Cristian Chivu, a relatively inexperienced coach, is a risky move. However, Chivu is showing innovative tactical ideas, and if he can secure the reinforcement he desires—a top defensive midfielder to provide balance—Inter can confidently aim for the new season. So far, they still possess the most reliable attack and the most experienced defense in the league. More importantly, the painful defeat last season may serve as motivation to reignite the collective hunger for glory in a team accustomed to success.

Could Napoli and Inter still be the strongest teams in Serie A this season?

What are the chances for Milan, Juventus, and the rest?

Slightly underrated is AC Milan, a club undergoing a complete overhaul from management to squad. However, like Napoli last season, Milan’s major advantage over rivals is that they are not competing in European competitions, allowing full focus on domestic challenges. Just as Napoli had Conte, Milan boasts an experienced and winning coach in Massimiliano Allegri, who led them to the Serie A title 14 years ago. With a squad full of ambitious new signings, Milan could become a "new Napoli" this season, seizing the opportunity to rise.

Juventus, the club with the most Scudetti in history, should never be underestimated. Yet, the "Old Lady" has prepared unimpressively. Despite spending over 100 million euros, they have only added two new players compared to last season: striker Jonathan David and fullback Joao Mario. Their transfer activity has been reactive and stuck, significantly impacting coach Igor Tudor’s plans. The gap between them and champions Napoli remains clear, and they will need major moves in the final days of the transfer market to improve their chances.

Don’t forget Roma and Atalanta, teams capable of causing surprises. At Roma, will moving to a club with greater tradition and ambition than Atalanta help coach Gian Piero Gasperini continue achieving great feats? Conversely, in Bergamo, Gasperini’s departure along with key striker Mateo Retegui, combined with trusting Ivan Juric—a pragmatic coach with a completely different philosophy—raises big questions about Atalanta’s ability to maintain their top-tier status.

Every contender has its own challenges, so it’s hard to predict whether the 2025-26 Serie A season will be thrilling, but it will certainly be worth watching due to its unpredictability. Napoli and Inter may be the leading candidates on paper, but everything can change with just one injury or a wrong decision.

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