The fixture list is out for the 2023-24 Serie A season and we now know, potentially, the dates for the key games – as we see it!
However, the beauty of the Italian top flight really is that anything can happen and I do believe it remains the most competitive league of all the big five in Europe – the SBOTOP Serie A betting odds are further testament to that claim.
Now if you are a glass half empty kind of man or woman, then you may point to the fact that a number of the top Italian clubs are losing their main players.
You may also point to the fact that all three teams which reached European finals at the conclusion of last term lost out, including Roma to Sevilla in the Europa League and Inter Milan to Manchester City in the Champions League showpiece.
But, you cannot argue that three Italian sides reached the respective finals and were responsible for some compelling moments, as well as Serie A highlights, along the way.
For example, who saw coming Napoli’s first title since they were inspired by the late, great Diego Maradona?
Should the manager who masterminded the triumph, Luciano Spalletti – who has decided to take a year sabbatical from the game – never return to football ever again, he will always have the freedom of the city of Naples.
And what of Monza, in the division for the first time in their 110-year history, who secured their first ever victory (after five straight defeats and one draw) against the ‘old lady of Turin’?
It was Raffaele Palladino’s first game as manager and he went onto guide them to a league double over Juventus and a respectable 11th place finish.
And then there was Inter who were still able to seal back-to-back Italian Super Cup and Coppa Italia successes under Simone Inzaghi.
Achievements such as those mentioned made it entertaining viewing, even if the standard is not as it once was.
Even now, many fans the world over will be looking forward to some early clashes.
The first big match of the season will come in week three when Jose Mourinho’s Roma host Milan at the Stadio Olimpico. The Rossoneri have another challenging game the following week, meeting Inter in the Derby della Madonnina.
Incidentally, the kick-off times and dates for the first four rounds of the campaign are due to be confirmed over the next 24 hours.
By then, many of the big clubs could have a very different look.
For example, Milan Skriniar has signed for Paris St Germain from Inter on a free transfer – something that would have been unheard of when the Italian game was in its pomp.
The 28 year-old Slovakian centre back left the Nerazzurri to conclude a six-year spell, penning a lucrative five-year deal with the Parisians.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana could also be on his way with Manchester United appearing to be in talks with Inter over a transfer fee.
It’s not all farewells at the San Siro, mind, and Inzaghi has moved quickly by snapping up midfielder Davide Frattesi from Sassuolo.
The 23 year-old has joined on an initial 12-month loan deal with an obligation to buy from February 2024 onwards.
His pedigree is promising with 72 appearances in the top flight for Sassuolo, including 26 last term, when he chipped in with seven league goals.
Frattesi is actually Inter’s fourth summer acquisition, following the permanent arrivals of Francesco Acerbi and Kristjan Asslani and the free signing of France international Marcus Thuram.
Their neighbours and rivals Milan have also had a mixed bag in the transfer market so far.
They lost Sandro Tonali to Newcastle for more than £50 million but have brought in young Argentinian midfielder Luka Romero as the third signing of the window following the arrivals of Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea and goalkeeper Marco Sportiello from Atalanta.
The trajectory the Italian clubs appear to be taking is one of investing in young talent but not being able to necessarily hold onto their stellar men as the big bucks and envious glances from elsewhere (notably England, Spain and PSG) come calling.
There was a time when Italian football was the dominant force both on the pitch and financially and, perhaps, one day it will be again.
For now, though, the fact it is vulnerable to others, actually contributes to making it as compelling a league as there is.
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