Add the Gazzetta del Sud as a source
Curtis Jones at Inter, Badiashile at Napoli, Rodrigo Mora at Roma, Diego Moreira at Milan, Vicario and Lucumi at Juve, Kristensen at Atalanta, Pellegrino at Fiorentina. Only Como is missing, having already scored many shots (but is returning to the charge for Kean). In the last few days before the start, the VIP teams have put in the turbo to present themselves stronger and more competitive at the tournament which starts tomorrow and promises to be effervescent and spectacular. Investments in the market have been powerful and many clubs are challenging the UEFA settlement agreement in order to ignite the imagination of the fans.
A Champions League placement is in the sights, given that the Scudetto currently seems to be a question between Inter and Napoli. If competing with the figures generated by the Premier League is a pipe dream (400 million invested by Chelsea alone), Serie A has spared no expense, with five big names over 100 million: AC Milan leads with 160, followed by Juve with 157, Roma with 123, Fiorentina with 122 and Inter with 103. In the background the worry for the Azzurri’s fate, confirmed by the statistics: the presence of foreigners in Serie A has reached 65%.
The predictions
The favorites’ lineup does not differ much from the May epilogue: Inter on the run, Napoli close behind, at a flexible distance a quartet (reached the finish line with four points) formed by Roma, Como and the disappointed Juve and Milan, expected from the Europa League. Atalanta is ready to enter, with Fiorentina a loose cannon after the shock season at risk of relegation. The champions Inter will open the proceedings as they face the Lombard derby which is on paper easier. Monza, who gave a generous chance to Juric after three heavy flops and have captain Pessina out due to injury, will want to escape the role of underdog, hoping for the revival of Colpani and Cutrone and a new encouraging performance from the Portuguese Varela. Chivu will probably leave the strong Premier trio (Stones, Spence and Jones) on the bench and will line up the luxury reserves Pio Esposito and Bonny up front. Napoli’s task at home to Genoa is more complicated, as De Rossi is preparing carefully taking advantage of Baldanzi’s verve in support of Vitinha and Colombo. It’s a tricky debut for Allegri who has various injuries in defence. To look for the goal Hojlund will rely on the collaboration of Politano and Alisson. Referee Di Bello is under Ligurian observation after last year’s controversy against Roma.
Sold out expected at the Olimpico, in the highlight of the first day, for the debut of Gasperini’s new Roma, increasingly Argentine, against the renewed Fiorentina whose flagship is the inclusion of Mastantuono. A challenge with the Portuguese Rodrigo Mora is expected in 2007, but Dybala, who appears to be in great shape, will give the direction to Roma. Of the other new players, the presence of Molina is certain, that of Castro is probable. Grosso hopes to have already blended a lineup with at least seven new starters. Fabregas’ Como, built with calibrated innovations, debuts at the home of Runjaic’s Udinese, who lost Atta, but benefits from the close-knit Zaniolo-Davis duo. The Lombards present Nico Paz again, escorted by the trusty and cheeky Baturina, Diao and Douvikas. The best defense of the last championship has been completely rebuilt. The greatest interest is in the debut of Milan and Juve. Cardinale has upset the team by declaring half the team undesirable. In Turin Amorim of the new team should use Gila and Ramos while in midfield Modric will team up with Jashari. Leao shouldn’t even go on the bench. Abate hopes to start his work with a surprise result, counting on the quality of Vlasic and the goals of Simeone. Juve’s task is less complicated in a Ciociaria full of Juventus fans. Frosinone has many new faces and the enthusiasm will be sky high. Spalletti will start with Vicario, Kolo Muani and Yildiz, then decide whether to include Lucumi and Alajbegovic. A former purge, Douglas Luiz, begins to play a central role. Atalanta, fresh from a disappointing home draw in the Conference play-off with Hapoel Tel Aviv, will rotate their rich squad against Aquilani’s promising Sassuolo, who however have half the team in the infirmary. The Bologna of the new Tedesco coach did not steal the attention in the pre-season but has an excellent level attack with Orsolini (who he extended until 2031), Rowe and Bernardeschi behind Dovbik. He will face a Lazio team in the storm due to the dispute with Lotito, a zero-balance transfer market and the knockout in the Italian Cup. Last bad impression, the striker Bamba Dieng arrived on a free transfer but did not pass the medical tests. In the other two games there is already a smell of relegation zone. The renewed Venezia of Stroppa and the goalscorer Adams seems favored against Di Francesco’s Lecce without the rebel Banda. More balance between Cuesta’s Parma (who sold their three prized pieces well) and Pisacane’s Cagliari who are focusing on Maldini and Fazzini but have not yet replaced another rebel, Sebastiano Esposito.