The Serie A is set to be a particularly balanced championship, with several historic teams facing significant challenges. This start to the season highlights the competitive potential of the league, offering intriguing prospects for the months to come.
A close ranking at the top
After five matchdays, we see that seven teams are only three points apart. This scenario recalls past editions, notably that of 2016-2017, where the title race was also fierce. If Atalanta, with a game in hand, were to win, the number of teams in contention for the top of the table would rise to eight.
Throughout this 38-match season, it is likely that some teams, often touted as favorites like Juventus, Napoli, and Inter, will start to distance themselves. However, the beginning of the championship reveals an uncertain picture, ripe for surprises and the emergence of new challengers.
The challenges for Inter
Inter remains a heavily favored team due to the quality of its squad. However, its start to the season has exposed weaknesses, with seven points dropped out of a possible fifteen. The tactical choices and the turnover implemented by the coach seem to have affected the team’s performance. Recent matches, particularly against Milan, have highlighted difficulties in organization and concentration.
To succeed this season, Inter must urgently correct its course, finding a balance between player rotation and maintaining high competitiveness. This will require an intensification of individual performances, particularly from key players like Lautaro, who needs to regain his offensive effectiveness.
Milan’s progress
Milan seems to have started to find its rhythm again, notably thanks to a new tactical approach with a 4-2-4 system. This strategy has allowed the team to strengthen its balance while exploiting the offensive capabilities of its forwards.
Milan’s ability to reproduce this intensity in varied contexts will be crucial for its podium ambitions. Recent performances, although encouraging, must be confirmed against more formidable opponents.
Challenges for Juve and Napoli
Juventus and Napoli are also showing signs of frustration and a need for readjustment. Their last encounter was unsatisfactory, ending in a goalless draw, highlighting difficulties in converting opportunities. Both Italian football giants are going through a transition period that requires time for a return to the heights of their ambitions.
For Juventus, the need to renew ideas and find the right dynamic is essential, particularly by integrating new players like Douglas Luiz. For their part, the Neapolitans must also reassess their strategies to deal with increasingly compact defenses.
Possible surprise with Atalanta
Atalanta, equipped with a well-drilled collective, could well be the surprise of this season’s start. If they manage to compensate for the departures of key players and strengthen their midfield, they might benefit from the lack of dominance from major teams. The form of players like Zaniolo and Scamacca could potentially elevate Atalanta above the pack.
In this period where the ”big” teams face challenges, the specter of a historic surprise remains ever-present in Serie A. Fans remember past surprises, such as the Verona of 1984-85, which dominated the start of the season.
Source: www.gazzetta.it