Matchday one is over, and frankly I’m exhausted. Around 11pm last night Torino were put out of their misery by the referee and Inter went top of Serie A thanks to their 5-0 win. The first games back on Saturday night feel like a million years ago already. So, what have we learned so far?
Don’t sleep on the promoted teams
As Milan learned to their cost on Saturday evening, you can’t just rock up and expect to beat the newly promoted sides. Baschirotto scored a lovely header and despite the Milan equaliser, goal of the weekend went to Cremonese’s Bonazzoli with that athletic finish. Cremonese beating Milan 2-1 at the San Siro was definitely story of the weekend, but another promoted side caused problems for their opponents too.
Pisa took a shock lead in Bergamo and although Atalanta were well on top in the second half, they couldn’t get the job done. Scamacca scored their equaliser in the 51st minute and it seemed as if they’d go on to win comfortably, but it wasn’t to be. Pisa dug in and held on for a valuable point.
Sassuolo offered up the least resistance out of the new boys. Ok, they were up against a very good Napoli, but there wasn’t the same level of stubborn determinism that Pisa and Cremonese showed.
Inter are BACK
One swallow doesn’t make a summer but this was a statement win from Inter. There didn’t seem to be any Champions League hangover for them, Chivu kept the 3-5-2 but implemented a much more aggressive pressing style in there. The amount of times Inter won the ball back high up to create chances was madness, Lautaro scored from pressing the keeper and Bonny’s debut goal came from Torino messing about too much with the ball.
ThuLa are back with a bang
Torino were poor but Inter were very good. Sucic had a game to remember, dominating the midfield and creating as many chances as he prevented Torino from having.
Inter need to reduce the average age still, especially in defence, if this aggressive pressing style is to work, but it was a great start. Only downside, the late subs saw them change the shape to this 4-3-2-1 and it allowed Torino to get a foothold on this game, Inter seemed a bit confused by their roles in it. If Chivu eventually wants to switch to this, it should be done gradually and carefully.
Roma have the new Batistuta
Or at least that’s what the Roma Argentina fan club declared about Evan Ferguson. Gazzetta picked it up and sensationally ran with the comparison. However, Ferguson didn’t even score on his Serie A debut.
It was a confident performance, providing both chances and good link and hold up play, but he didn’t score. And he probably should have in at least one scenario.
I think he’ll work out and I’ve said as much before, it was a confident debut, but maybe we all need to calm down a bit… Wesley got the goal that would beat Bologna, on his debut and Roma started with a fairly comfortable win.
Ferguson celebrates, but not his goal
Ominous Como
Nico Paz will probably be back at Real Madrid next year and based on his performance Sunday alone it’ll be well deserved. A truly magnificent free kick goal put the gloss on a comfortable win over Lazio after he had already provided the assist for Tavos Douvikas.
Lazio’s one bright moment was a goal disallowed for offside that didn’t really require the VAR intervention it got.
Jonathan David dream debut
Strikers at Juve over recent years haven’t always had it their own way so the Canadian will have been pleased to start with a goal. Dusan Vlahovic went from maligned sideline player to important addition as he completed the scoring.
Both goals were assisted by probably future Real Madrid star Kenan Yildiz. Sorry for putting that out into the universe Juve fans, but they always come knocking for any remotely creative player. Yildiz was once again magnificent, a bright spark in what might be a potential glum season for Juventus fans. Parma offered very little resistance here so the big tests are still to come for Juve.
The only downside was a late red card for Cambiaso.
And breathe…
So there we have it, week one done and sewn up. Three days to go until it begins again when Cremonese take on Sassuolo Friday evening.
This summer has been a busy one for Serie A teams and there’s some big names entering Italy this summer. There’s also some lesser known names who’ll be on our pitches and our screens in 2025/26. So who are they? Where have the come from? Are they any good? Here’s a selection of them…
Kevin De Bruyne, Napoli
Undoubtedly the biggest transfer this summer in Serie A, the six time Premier League winner arrived in Naples this summer to fanfare and adulation from supporters of the current Champions. He’ll link up with Scott McTominay in Napoli’s midfield, which will only make them better. However, at 34 it remains to be seen how he’ll cope with the rigours of a 38 game season and a Champions League campaign.
We don’t really need to analyse his game for you, he remains one of the best passers of the ball in the World and Italy’s slower paced game will suit him. I expect Napoli to get at least one good year out of him before an inevitable move to Saudi Arabia.
Luka Modric, Milan
If you thought Kevin De Bruyne was old, Luka Modric has 5 years on him. The 39 year old has as many Champions League titles as De Bruyne has Premier League titles. The little Croatian is one of the most decorated players in Real Madrid’s history, so despite his advanced age there’s enough for Milan to feel optimistic about this summer.
The “trivela” style player has great composure on the ball, creativity in spades and can unleash a strike from distance to put fear into even the greatest Serie A goalkeeper. Sitting deeper these days, expect Modric to act as a “puppet master” and dictate things in the middle of the park. Again, don’t expect longevity from this transfer, but he’ll lift Milan in the short term.
Wesley, Roma
An interesting one this, Wesley featured three times in the Club World Cup for Flamengo as they beat eventual winners Chelsea and won over the casual fan with their swashbuckling displays. Key to it was the young right back, who provides athleticism and pace on the flanks. The 21 year old signed a 5 year contract with Roma in July and joins Evan Ferguson is lowering the average age of the squad as well as increasing their attacking intent.
Keep an eye on Roma this season, they’ll score a lot of goals with these additions but they’ll be wide open too. Their games won’t be boring at all, but can they bring it together to challenge? Who knows…
Noa Lang, Napoli
The controversial Dutchman joins Napoli for €25m. The winger is explosive, full of creativity and a great eye for goal. A bargain for the price they’ve paid. After struggling to make an impact at Ajax as a young man, he turned to Belgium and Club Brugge where he scored 32 goals in 99 matches before returning to the Netherlands where he scored 15 in 40 matches.
A solid return from out wide and makes Napoli’s attacking line up all the more formidable when he joins up with McTominay, De Bruyne and Lukaku. If Conte can finally get it right in Europe it may leave Napoli stretched, but if he continues his usual progress in European Competition, hand them the Scudetto now.
Luis Henrique, Inter
It’s all change for Inter and we could write an entire post on their window this far, and probably will. However, one of the early pieces of business they managed was the signing of Luis Henrique for a reported fee of around €25m. Henrique played mainly off the wing for Marseille so on the face of it this was an odd signing. However, with Inzaghi leaving and Chivu taking over at Inter, there’s a likely change of shape coming and Henrique could be much more useful in a 3-4-2-1 behing Lautaro.
He underwhelmed in the Club World Cup in his first few performances, but you can’t really judge a man at a new club that was in complete turmoil at the end of an exhausting season. Henrique’s success or failure at Inter will depend how their season opens up, largely expected to be challenging Napoli if they start well, Henrique will do well. If they flounder, I think the player will too.
Lennon Miller, Udinese
Ok, so this isn’t complete yet, but he’s headed to Udine for a medical yesterday so we can assume this one is done and dusted. The Motherwell Central Midfielder is set to become yet another Scot in Italy – however, as an 18 year old, don’t expect to see him week in week out at this stage. The highly rated youngster has already played twice for Scotland’s national team.
He’ll be certainly hoping he can emulate the successes of Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson and even Josh Doig and Che Adams out in Italy.
Kamaldeen Sulemana, Atalanta
We’ve written a full blog post on Sulemana which can be found here, but in short this is a sensible move from Atalanta. Especially with Lookman seemingly on his way out of the club. His pace and directness will be an issue for Serie A defences and anyone who can stand out in Southampton’s dreadful season is worth a look.
I like Sulemana as a player and he got off to a great start, scoring against Croatian side Opatija. Keep an eye on this one.
That’s the new boys in Serie A, well a selection of them anyway. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the likes of Petar Susic at Inter, a young player from Croatia, I’m not sure what his influence will be. Inter like their standard midfield of Calha, Mkhitaryan and Barella. There’s a number of transfers within Serie A and we’ll look at them in the coming days, but for now here’s your new boys.
Who do you like? Who’s got you excited at your team?
Tomorrow we’ll be exactly two weeks away from the beginning of the new season and the optimism that comes when no one has actually kicked a ball. By Tuesday morning, half the fans in Serie A will believe their season is already over, the other half will be boasting how this year is their year. But we’re going to peak even sooner than that on the blog and boldly chuck out some predictions two weeks ahead of time with the Mercato in full swing still. Bookmark this later to come back and laugh at!
Champions – The contenders
Napoli
Raced into a great Mercato with the signing of Kevin De Bruyne for nothing. A top, top player but doing nothing for Serie A’s image as a retirement home. With McTominay being nominated for a Ballon D’Or this week and some other smart acquisitions they’re rightly considered favourites amongst most bookmakers. Conte, however, will be the key. He already threw a tantrum and threatened to quit once, will he see the season out? They’ll be hoping so in Naples
Inter Milan
Last season Inter beat Lazio away 6-0, but they also lost at home in the Derby in the last minute. They also got to a Champions League final, which they lost 5-0. The point here is, who knows what Inter will show up from one week to the next? Their market has been a mixture of smart looking deals and ridiculous pursuits underlined by failure. Petar Susic looks a good signing, while the campaign for Lookman stumbles on. One alternative is Mason Greenwood, good goalscorer, questionable bloke. The fall out between Calhanoglu and Lautaro appears to have been papered over, so let’s see how the season plays out. New, inexperienced coach Chivu will have his work cut out. Second favourites with most bookies, there may be some value at 3/1.
Juventus
Juventus are always listed amongst the favourites no matter what. Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao will be key in any title challenge Juventus want to put up, if they put one up. Randal Kolo Muani wants to resign for them after his successful loan, Juventus want him, yet they can’t get the deal done. It’s been a strange window for Juve fans, Jonathan David came in and no one can tell if that’s a good thing or not. He’d be a great “option player”, but is he a regular starter? Tudor steadied the ship last year when he came in, but that’s easy for a caretaker to do, now he has the job full time, all his credentials will be put to the test.
Milan
A disastrous campaign last time out, they’ve offloaded some of the bloated squad and brought in some key players. Another feather in the cap for the retirement league is their signing of Luka Modric. The 104 year old Croatian will find life in Italy tough, but his reading of the game and ball playing ability won’t be affected by age. The acquisitions of Jashari, Ricci and Estupinian generate some excitement, as does keeping hold of keeper Mike Maignan. If they can keep Newcastle away from Malick Thiaw then they’ll consider it a summer well done. If they can shake off the absolute circus act they became last season, then maybe they’re an outsider for a 20th Scudetto and second star.
The Others…
Usually you’d highlight Atalanta as a dark horse outsider, but having seen Ivan Juric manage at Roma and Southampton last season and the fact Ademola Lookman is AWOL chasing his Inter move, I don’t see Atalanta troubling the top pack this season.
Their former boss, however, has gone to AS Roma who have made some smart moves in the window, appear to be keeping Dybala and Dovbyk and will inject youth into their team as Gasperini likes to do. I would keep one eye on them as the season draws on.
I’d be surprised to see Genoa or Bologna challenge for the title, but good runs put together in the last season, if they can repeat, could see them trouble the Champions League places.
And don’t forget about La Viola. Pioli is back in Italy and he has a point to prove. It looks like Moise Kean isn’t going anywhere and they’ve added veteran marksman Edin Dzeko to the roster. De Gea stays in goal and it would only take a solid mid-season run to see them pushing to return to Europe’s top table. The title is probably beyond Fiorentina, but Europe isn’t.
Verdict
Ok, balls on the line time…
Champions – Napoli
Champions League – Inter, Milan, Roma
Europa/Conference – Bologna, Atalanta, Juventus
I get it, no big surprises there. Juventus can change things if they secure Kolo Muani or another big striker, and I just fancy Milan to get it together this season. And as for Roma, I just like their business. I like Evan Ferguson and I like the way Gasperini plays football. They’ve got a chance.
Dark Horses
There’s a few clubs who could surprise us all and while they’re outside of the traditional “big clubs” in Italy, they could make a play for a European spot. This season, for me, it’s got to be Como 1907.
Yeah, alright, they’ve got the richest owners in Serie A and have had a busy summer, but they’ve got that small stadium, were in Serie D as recently as 2019. Any European finish would still be a massive achievement for this provincial side.
Cesc Fabregas flatly refused the move to Inter in the summer and insisted on staying with “the project”. Only good news appears to come out of this club, they’ve got some great young flair players and while some pundits are questioning them abandoning Italian players for South American gems, they’re bound to win more than they lose.
The only question marks really are whether they can mix it up and be tough when they need to and can they keep the group together. Well question one was answered the other night when they had a full on fist fight after a friendly with Real Betis, and question two was answered seemingly when Nico Paz and Cesc Fabregas chose to stay rather than heading down the road to Inter.
Don’t be surprised if Como end up playing European football next season.
The promoted teams
Always the favourites to go back down, how will the promoted sides fair next season?
Sassuolo
Dominant in Serie B last season, winning the league by some margin, it should highlight their readiness for top flight football. Yet they were comfortably relegated from Serie A the season before. They need to avoid becoming an Italian Norwich and stake a claim to stay in the league. Bookmakers make them the strongest promoted candidate to stay up, and the collapse of Armand Lauriente’s transfer to Sunderland is a big factor in this. The winger scored 18 goals and provided 5 assists last season and will be key to any creativity in Serie A.
Pisa
Got promoted and lost manager Pippo Inzaghi back to Serie B and rivals Palermo. Not a great start. However, they have replaced him with Alberto Gilardino and having made it back to the top flight for the first time in 34 years, they’ll be keen to hang on and stay there. Matteo Tramoni looks to be sticking around having banged in 13 goals last season for them, which is welcome. Veteran player Juan Cuadrado is also on board and the loan of midfielder Akinsanmiro from Inter boost their numbers nicely. They’ll need to replicate their strong defence from last season where they only conceded 36 goals on their way to second place.
Pisa collected a trophy for coming second in some Utter Woke Madness
Cremonese
Cremonese finished 4th last season, behind Spezia, but went up through the play offs. However, since the departure of Giovanni Stroppa who led them to promotion they have survival specialist Davide Nicola in charge. The Italian Sam Allardyce has rescued Crotone (2019/20), Torino (2020/21), Salernitana (2021/22), Empoli (2023/24). He will hope to replicate this with Cremonese, but will have his work cut out with a side who’ve only just spent more than €10m this Mercato.
Verdict
I can’t see past Cremonese for relegation I’m afraid. Sorry guys, but despite having Davide Nicola, it doesn’t look good for you. Sassuolo have the capability to stay up, but do they have the belief only time will tell. Pisa could dig in under Gilardino’s leadership and if they can continue their strong defensive record they definitely have a chance, but I think the rest of the league may prove too good for them.
However, bookmakers also look to the likes of Verona, Lecce and even Cagliari as potential relegation candidates.
I think ultimately, Lecce and Cremonese will go, one of Pisa and Sassuolo to join them…Sorry guys.
Top Scorer
Might as well just piss into the wind and pick a name here. Who can ever predict the top scorer? Even when Inter won two years ago and Lautaro took the prize it was his first time ever. Last season Mateo Retegui won it and promptly left Italy for Saudi Arabia. So who’s going to take it home this season?
Well, surprisingly, Lautaro Martinez is leading the bookies charge at 9/2, good value but he spent most of last season looking exhausted. Another 60-odd games last season won’t have helped him out. Moise Kean is next best at 11/2, but you can’t help but feel he needs Fiorentina to have a good season for him to win that title.
Jonathan David pops up third in a lot of lists, and at 7/1 there’s certainly some value in it. Again, if Juventus spend another 3 months imploding as per last season, his chance will have gone.
There’s some newbies to the league who have a shot too. I can’t hide my admiration for Evan Ferguson and with a solid pre-season of goals for Roma and Gasperini’s attacking style, he’s got a great chance to get it. Noa Lang at Napoli is a dark horse too. Not exactly a prolific career to date but Napoli will spend most of the season on the front foot and with the supply lines coming from KdB and McFratm, he should get chances. As will their other striker, Big Rom Lukaku. Always up there without ever winning the grand prize, he’ll have his eyes on it this season.
Verdict: For some value I’d go for an each way bet on Evan Ferguson, but for me it’s got to be Lukaku or Lautaro. Once a prolific duo, now on opposite sides of the title race. Their goalscoring might just tip the title in their team’s favour.
Goalkeeper is probably, arguably the most important position on the pitch. And I know I’m biased in saying that, as it was my position when I still had hair and could get up off the floor after making a save. But in reality, if you don’t have a good goalkeeper you aren’t winning anything. Goalkeepers are often called mad, and you have to be to throw yourself at the feet of someone baring down on goal. For me, the annoying thing was that everyone on the pitch thought they were a keeper, they all had advice for you, despite never playing there themselves.
Before this turns into a rant though, let’s get back on track. Italy has produced some truly magnificent goalkeepers, and Serie A has played host to some of the greatest of all time from around the World. So, who was the best? I’ve selected a few of my favourites, without ranking who was best out of them. In no particular order, here are my favourites…
Gianluigi Buffon
“Buffon is the best goalkeeper I’ve ever seen, the only one who was never afraid of anything.” – Fabio Capello
Gianluigi Buffon has the most clean sheets in Serie A history
Gianluigi Buffon was just 12 years old when he decided that he didn’t want to play in midfield anymore and became a goalkeeper. Five years later he was making his Parma debut against Milan and keeping a clean sheet.
During his career Buffon would hold the World Record for most expensive goalkeeper (€52m) until recently, win 10 Serie A titles, 5 Coppa Italia, a World Cup and would be 3 times UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year. Comfortable in the air, with elite reflexes and great positional awareness, Buffon still holds the Serie A record for most clean sheets in Serie A with 296 and was once unbeaten in the goal for 974 consecutive minutes.
Was there anyone better?
Dino Zoff
“If you ask me who was the greatest, I say Zoff. He was not flashy, but you knew the goal was safe with him.” – Gianni Rivera
Dino Zoff made over 600 appearances in Serie A
Staying on the Juve theme with one of the other great Italian goalkeepers. Zoff actually made over 300 appearances for Udinese, Mantova and Napoli before joining and defining Juve. He would win 6 Scudetti and 2 Coppa Italia along with the World Cup (the oldest player to do so), before going into management where he would lead Juventus to the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia titles in 1990.
He still holds the record for the longest consecutive run in Azzurri history without conceding, lasting 1,142 minutes in the early seventies. Zoff is the archetype of the classic Italian goalkeeper: composed, understated, and unbelievably reliable. Known for his leadership and calmness, he commanded his defence with supreme authority.
Walter Zenga
“Walter was a phenomenon – he could change the mood of a stadium with one save.” – Giuseppe Bergomi
Zenga conceded just twice in seven matches at Italia 90
Walter Zenga was nicknamed Spiderman because of his agility and spectacular reflex saves. For three consecutive years, he was IFFHS World Goalkeeper of the Year. He played 328 times in Serie A and was a UEFA Cup winner with Inter and represented the Azzurri 58 times.
Zenga combined flamboyance with athleticism. He was known for his dramatic saves and passion on the pitch. He was also renowned for his passion off the pitch, fathering 5 children over three marriages including two marriages to TV personalities. He has gone on to have a rather nomadic managerial career while still being a showbiz personality in Italy. Despite the off-field shenanigans, Zenga is remembered as an all time great of the game by Inter, Sampdoria and Azzurri fans alike.
Angelo Peruzzi
“He wasn’t just a wall — he was a mountain.” – Marcello Lippi
Peruzzi won the Champions League while at Juventus
In 478 appearances in Serie A, Peruzzi represented some of the biggest teams and most bitter rivals. He played for Roma and Lazio as well as both Juventus and Inter. To pull this off you need to be good, and Peruzzi was VERY good. He was short for a goalkeeper, under 6 foot, but that low centre of gravity gave him great reflexes and shot stopping skills.
Peruzzi would win 3 Serie A titles, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup during his career as well as 31 caps for Italy. He would also add a World Cup winners medal in 2006, despite never taking to the field. Peruzzi would retire from football in 2007.
Sebastiano Rossi
“He was always part of that Milan machine – ruthless, efficient, unbeatable.” – Arrigo Sacchi
Sebastiano Rossi was part of the “Dream Team” of Milan in the 1990s
Rossi joined his home town club Cesena at the age of 15 and was their first choice goalkeeper by the age of 22 after several loan spells. After his first season in Italy’s top flight, the giants of AC Milan came calling and after initially battling with Francesco Antonioli for the starting spot, he made it his own and would play over 340 games in Serie A, winning 5 Scudetti, the 1994 Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.
He held the clean sheet record for 24 years until eventually losing it to Gianluigi Buffon. Rossi wasn’t considered the most stylish goalkeeper but was immensely effective in an all conquering side behind the legendary defence of Baresi, Maldini, Costacurta and Tassotti. Despite all this he was consistently overlooked by the Azzurri and never played for Italy.
Gianluca Pagliuca
“Pagliuca wasn’t afraid of anyone. He stared you down like he already knew you’d miss.” – Roberto Mancini
Gianluca Pagliuca played nearly 600 times in Serie A
One of the most consistent and agile Italian keepers of the 1990s, known for his intensity and acrobatics. Pagliuca played for the Sampdoria side that won the 1991 Scudetto and was playing in their narrow Champions League final defeat to Barcelona a year later.
After seven years and 198 games for Sampdoria, Inter paid a World Record fee for a goalkeeper of just €7m to bring the Italian to their club. Rather remarkably, during his time at Inter he only won the UEFA Cup and nothing else. He was a beaten finalist in the 1994 World Cup as Italy lost on penalties to Brazil. Ironically, he held the record for some years of most penalties saved in Serie A with 24, until that was broken by Samir Handanovic.
An Azzurri and Serie A legend, Pagliuca moved on from Inter to Bologna where he would spend seven seasons and play a massive 248 games before finishing his career with a season in Ascoli, retiring in 2007.
Summary
From the cat-like reflexes of Zenga to the steely composure of Zoff, and the longevity of Buffon to the penalty-saving prowess of Handanović, Serie A has long been a proving ground for the world’s greatest goalkeepers. These legends didn’t just stop shots—they shaped eras, lifted trophies, and became the last line of defence for some of Calcio’s most iconic sides. In a league famed for tactical discipline and defensive mastery, it’s no wonder that so many of the game’s finest stoppers have called Serie A home. As new stars emerge between the posts, their legacy serves as a benchmark—and an inspiration—for generations to come.
So most of the teams, apart from like two of them, have given us their home kits for next season. However, all 20 have provided at least one kit and I’ve been through them all and assessed them for your pleasure. Now, be warned, I’m not listing all 20 teams, I’ve picked the best and the worst ones. These are, of course, only my opinions – yours will differ so don’t come at me unless you agree.
The Best
Napoli (Both)
Napoli have the best midfield and best kits for 2025/26
My word. Not only are they champions, not only do they have De Bruyne and McTominay together but these kits are works of art. The home is nice and clean, classic, it’s hard to get it wrong when you go simple. But it can be equally hard to get something beautiful – AND YET LOOK AT THAT AWAY KIT. Chef’s kiss. Well done Napoli, early trophy to you lot as best dressed this season.
Roma (Third)
They’ve killed it with this
This third kit launched just after I wrote this initial blog and it couldn’t be more welcome! It pained me having to put the Roma home kit in the bad section. Then someone at the club read it and did something about it. Probably. It is pure sex. Should come with a health warning it’s that naughty. Give me more!
Como (Home)
Yes Please
Yeah, everything about this works. The main chest of the shirt looks like the lake with some moonlight or something on it. And yet, despite that motif, it’s still pretty clean and basic. The colour consistency, the uncomplicatedness of everything else that isn’t the background. It’s gorgeous, 10/10 for Como.
Sassuolo (Home)
Is it this years shirt or a 90s classic?
Promoted for their footballing merit, they could’ve gone up for this shirt alone. Everything about it I’m in love with. The design of it is simple, yet nods back to the 90s – everyone’s favourite nostalgic period currently. Love that collar on the shirt too, a good collar seems like a lost art. Little touches like anything else on the shirt only being in white is really smart too. I don’t normally buy “other clubs” shirts but I might this one… 15/10
Parma (Third)
Parma’s third kit this year is a really nice effort
Is it an early 90s Leeds kit? Is it the current Parma Third Shirt? Who knows but I want more of it. Parma should’ve used this as their home shirt for me. It’s clean, simple, slight throwback. It works. Well done.
Milan (Home)
Clean, Simple, Milan.
Ok, so I am typing this with gritted teeth as an Interista, but this kit is nice. They’ve done no messing about here, like Inter did with their stripes. This is a really nice effort, the two tone badge is cool and the little pattern on the stripes is a nice touch. Hope this is all they get right this season. Well done Milan.
The Worst
Inter (Home)
Hmmm…
Rumour has it they took over 3 millions photos of Lautaro in this shirt and he refused to smile in this kit. I think when teams try something a bit different it can work, it refreshes their style and it can be a nice departure. None of that is true here. Inter have some of the best kits of all time and they’re all just SIMPLE BASIC BLUE AND BLACK STRIPES! What they’ve been up to the last couple of seasons I can’t tell you, but it isn’t cool. Go back to what you do best.
Juventus (Home)
Nope. No thanks.
Stop messing about with stripes. All teams. Now. If you have stripes, look at Milan and Atalanta and do that in your colours. Hate the haphazard stripes here, hate the two sponsors and although I know Juventus used to wear pink when they were founded, I hate the pink accents. Please god, just get together with Inter and bang your heads together.
Cremonese (Home)
Not for me
Goalkeepers wear grey kits. There’s not a lot else to say. It’s a weird colour for an outfield shirt and I’m not on board. Pass.
Lazio (Home)
Home? No. Away? Yes, just.
Guess what guys? Lazio have a plain sky blue shirt. They’ve made zero effort here and I’m not making any effort to talk about it. Wear the away kit, it’s a much sharper look.
Inter (Away)
As an Interista… No
Two things here. 1) Was this designed by a competition winner? 2) How did they win the competition with this design? Honestly, after the embarrassment we Interisti suffered at the end of last season, these kits feel like Nike rubbing it in a bit. Pass.
Juventus (Away)
Monstrosity
This looks like the hooky shirt you see hanging from a souvenir stand in a main piazza in Turin. Why this colour? Why the yellow Adidas stripes? Why are there two sponsors on the home shirt and none here? None of this adds up, I’m sure there’s a conspiracy here but I don’t know why, or what. Just wear that gorgeous third strip all season please.
Roma (Home)
Mixed feelings
Ok so hear me out here, because maybe there’s nothing actually wrong with this, maybe there is. I just feel like Roma normally turn out in such beautiful kits that this feels a little… generic? Again, it looks like a copy of a real Roma kit. Maybe the PES version of a Roma shirt. It’s not awful, it’s not horrible, it’s just not very Roma for me.
So there you have it, I’m sure some of you are upset by my choices, it goes without saying! But as you can see I’m not biased, an Interista choosing Milan’s shirt as nice and condemning the Inter efforts! Anyway, I’m off to Sassuolo to buy a shirt. Let me know your favourites…
It’s a new week, Monday comes and brings with it more from the soap opera that is Calcio. Football in Italy isn’t even being played at the moment but it’s still all going on…
1. Club World Cup Kicks Off in America
Ok so it actually kicked off yesterday, but this week is the turn of the Italians. Inter kick off against CF Monterrey on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning depending on where you’re reading this. Juventus get going on Wednesday night/Thursday morning against Al-Ain.
Inter will be hoping for a little better than their last outing, that Champions League humiliation. Juventus happy to be there without a European final since 2017. So far interest is very low, FIFA will be hoping it increases as time goes on. I’ll be out in Seattle at the end of the Group Stage so look out for some content on that!
2. Will there be anyone left at Milan?
Mike Maignan’s move to Chelsea may have broken down but that doesn’t mean he isn’t looking to move on. Chelsea will come back when the CWC slows down for them and with one year left he looks set to be sold this summer.
Theo Hernandez and Rafa Leao are also rumoured to be on the way out, with Bayern Munich a possible destination for both. That or Saudi Arabia anyway.
Luka Jovic is going at the end of his contract next month, looking likely to join Torino. That other Turin club, Juventus, are sniffing around Pierre Kalulu and Yunus Musah is in discussion with Napoli.
Calabria will also leave when his contract expires and the club confirmed that Ruben Loftus-Cheek is surplus to requirements. Along with fellow Englishmen Tammy Abraham and Kyle Walker departing at the end of their loan spells.
Can the last person to leave Milan turn off the lights?
3. The tug of war for Giovanni Leoni
The highly rated 18 year old is in high demand and it’ll be a miracle if the centre-back starts next season at Parma. Juventus are interested, as are Milan, Napoli, Torino and Inter. A move to Inter would probably appeal most, the shift in focus from Oaktree to younger players and his former manager Christian Chivu being in place will be a big pull.
Giovanni Leoni is a target for most of Serie A
But a bigger pull may be the Premier League. Thomas Frank might not be the newest face at Tottenham Hotspur for long, and the option for Parma to loan him back might sway them to accept this offer. Maybe he prefers the French Riviera? Monaco are also interested, and the chance to live a life of luxury in the millionaires playground has been a big pull in the past for players.
Watch this space, this race could go on a while, but needless to say it’ll develop significantly this week…
4. Sometimes maybe good, Sometimes maybe shit
Had to jump on and edit this part of the post this morning. The FIGC were telling us all that they had aaaaages to make this decision as there were no internationals until September.
Then out of nowhere they appointed Gennaro Gattuso. The former Milan player left his job at Hajduk Split earlier this summer and won the World Cup as a player with the Azzurri in 2006. He’s fiery, he divides opinion and he’s a strict disciplinarian. This will be one to watch through the World Cup qualifiers!
5. Josh Doig to Juventus?
Sassuolo’s 23 year old Scottish Full Back Josh Doig could soon be making a move to Juventus according to rumours. The Scottish Sun are reporting that around €13m would secure his signature for the Bianconeri. The Scottish revolution in Italy is certainly getting out of hand now, has no one watched any Scotland matches???
Italy has fallen in love with Scotland, and Juventus have eyes on Josh Doig
6. Chivu starts life with Inter
Ok, so we alluded to the FIFA Club World Cup earlier in the blog, but with the tournament kicking off, so too is Christian Chivu’s Inter Milan career 2.0.
The young coach, fresh from a spell with their youth team and then rescuing Parma was a very public second choice, but he’s a popular figure at the San Siro so he’ll get a chance to prove himself.
Will he stick with Inzaghi’s 3-5-2? Will he freshen up the side with some younger players? Just how many Parma players is he trying to sign? All of these answers will be a bit clearer by this time next week…
7. Edin Dzeko to get one last Calcio outing?
Rumours were starting late last week that potentially we will see Edin Dzeko in Italy one more time… The former Roma and Inter striker has just left Fenerbahce and the 39 year old is now linked with a move to Florence.
Edin Dzeko scoring for Roma twenty years ago probably…
Yes, that’s right, Fiorentina are apparently lining up a move for the veteran striker. He does guarantee goals, but at 39 does he guarantee games? A deal until 2027 is rumoured to have been offered which would see him play at the top level of Italian football until he’s 41. I’m sceptical, but Calcio constantly surprises you.
Here it is then, finally, the long awaited part three to the Calcio weekender review! After two days in Bologna, it was time to actually spend a day there. With no travelling to be done for this match, there’s a bit of tourism writing here!
Bologna had never really ever occurred to me as a tourist destination. Sure you go to Milan, Rome, Sicily, Turin – but Bologna? Short of being the home of bolognese, I didn’t really know anything about it.
Well hold on to your hats folks, because it turns out it’s bloody beautiful. Not as hustly and bustly as some of the bigger cities I mentioned earlier, Bologna is chilled. A perfect place to spend a day sat outside cafes with a coffee watching the world go by.
Not that there’s nothing to do there. Isabelle and I left the apartment with a clear plan of our day after a quick Google. We had plans, we’d researched what we were going to do, so what could go wrong?
Well. It was Monday by now. Despite the fact I was off work, booked annual leave and wasn’t supposed to be contactable, I work in sales so I’m never really off the clock other than weekends or Christmas. And sure enough, I was awoken by the sound of my work mobile going off. A crisis for one of my customers that needed sorting.
Cue an entire morning of back and forth phone calls with the customer and my office, with Isabelle’s face increasingly more fuming as the minutes passed! Don’t get me wrong, being sat in my office dealing with the crisis wouldn’t have been anywhere near as nice as sitting in a cafe Piazza Maggiore dealing with it.
Crisis resolved, I was marched back to the apartment by Isabelle to deposit the work phone and focus on her and Bologna. That’s where I noticed I still had Andrea’s sons fan card from Parma a few days before. Surely not, what a ballache!
A quick phone call, and I had an address to send it to. But no stationary to send it with and no idea how to send it. I figured it must be easier to post in Italy than when I get home so Isabelle and I set off for the nearest Post Office.
Now if you think UK/US post offices are a nightmare, at least you speak the language. PostItalia in Bologna was at least air conditioned but that’s where the positives end. When my number was called I approached the desk and opened with my best, “Ciao, Inglese??”. To be met with a firm shake of the head. Well how the fuck are we going to do this?
Turns out there’s no phone signal or free WiFi in this particular branch so speaking into Google translate is out. No amount of gesturing to the fan card, then to the address on my screen was working. Shouting “SEND” or “POST” while doing it wasn’t working either.
Finally, the bloke in the next booth was done with his client and apparently spoke some English and came to help. It cost me roughly €5 all in for the envelope and postage and I swiftly sent the tracking number to Andrea and wished him all the best in receiving because who knows if it’s making it there!
Well, it’s time to enjoy our day in Bologna, surely. We head straight for Le Due Torre, a large tower sticking out of the ground made of the local red brick. Nowadays it sticks out like a sore thumb but apparently in Bologna’s heyday there were loads of these towers all over town.
Le Due Torre
As we arrive, there’s a notice on the door, it’s closed for renovations while we’re out of season. Of course it is. Now what? Back to Google. The Clock Tower is open, over in Piazza Maggiore. Looks like that’s the plan.
We head over and finally greeted with a bit of good luck. It’s open and tickets aren’t ridiculously priced. It’s a shame there’s no lift to the top, but Italy is a country with many old buildings so I didn’t really expect one. I’m not a man exactly built for lots of stairs but the Clock Tower breaks it up nicely with art exhibitions on each floor so it’s not just constant climbing. The views from the top are great, over Piazza Maggiore, the entire city and over to the hills outside of town.
Your guides in this journey
There’s just sight of the evening entertainment too, right over in the distance you can catch a glimpse of the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Home of Bologna FC since 1927. Tonight Isabelle and I are finishing our Calcio epic at Bologna v Napoli, an exciting prospect in a Serie A season where Napoli are chasing down Inter (they eventually succeeded, spoiler alert) and Bologna are pushing hard for a return to the Champions League (they fell away late and didn’t make it).
First, we need some lunch and it was time to embrace a tradition for Isabelle and I. Some people also partake, some people think we’re mad to do it in Italy. But we always, wherever we visit across the World, always, have a McDonald’s one day for lunch. For those who don’t know, the menus in McDonald’s are wildly different all over the World so we always insist on seeing what each country offers that the UK doesn’t.
Sorry…
On this occasion, Italy didn’t really offer anything more exciting that being able to have a beer with my meal, my favourite thing about European McDonald’s. I went for a spicy chicken burger of some description while Isabelle went for her favourite food of all time, wings – something else unavailable in the UK.
Our afternoon was spent exploring the rest of the town fairly aimlessly, basically walking around flitting from bar to bar, it’s matchday and I’m English so obviously beer is required. It’s also always required when there’s a city with the ambience and weather of Bologna.
When I tell you this city is beautiful, there’s no lie, it is gorgeous. The architecture on nearly every building is unique and ornate. I’ve no doubt that if I headed out of the centre to the outskirts I’d see the normal high rise flats built in the 1970s, but I’ve rarely seen a city centre like this.
We stumbled across the Finestrella. A small canal running along a street in Bologna, and rather cheekily named “Little Venice” locally. It’s literally one canal so I’m not sure it can rival Venice, or even Milan’s Navigli area! There’s a small window in a wall that opens out onto the street, but there was an awful long queue of travel influencers queuing up to take videos of the window opening to a trending audio. If you head across the road there’s an equally good view which is below.
Finestrella
As we edged closer to match time, I decided we should get some dinner. Kick off was at 9pm so around 5pm I thought we should eat and begin our journey to the ground. The stadium is around a 30/40 minute walk and I had designs on pub crawling down there!
We ate at Sfoglia Rina on a few recommendations. There’s no reservations so expect to queue, but we weren’t waiting longer than ten minutes for a table. Sfoglia Rina all feature fresh pasta made on site and is a popular place with locals and tourists alike. There’s one large table in the middle where different groups can all sit together. Not really my thing, so we plumped for a small table for two on the outside.
Isabelle was keen to have a proper Bologna bolognese and went for the Taglietelle Bolognese Ragout, which was delicious and I had the Gramigna with Sausage Ragout. It was absolutely fantastic. A great meal to end our time in Italy.
Tasted better than it looked!
After the meal, we popped into the Celtic Druid Irish Pub around the corner, we’d been in a couple of times when returning from the other cities and I knew there was a lot of Bologna FC themed decoration and figured there’d be some fans in pre-match.
I wasn’t wrong and the atmosphere was lively. I love the way Italians talk so expressively and with their hands. Even though I don’t know what they’re saying, I can pick out footballer and team names, there’s so much discussion on the previous weekends Calcio going on here.
We have a couple of pints here and begin the long trek to the ground, stopping at a few pubs along the way. The amount of people on the street increases the closer we get and there’s a few livelier fan bars here. In one I’m immediately accused of being “Napolista” because I’m different to them. I refer him to the fact I’m English and show Isabelle’s scarf bought earlier at the club shop in the City Centre and I’m immediately bought a sambuca and welcomed. I’m not sure how many more sambucas I can take.
When we head to the ground it’s about half an hour before kick off, and this is a mistake. The beautiful old facade to the stadium is also the only entry point to that stand, which is where our tickets were. There’s only two gates and two long queues stretch in either direction and in a very Italian way there’s absolutely no organisation. The queue is carnage, absolute chaos. It’s anarchy. The Brit in me breaks out in a cold sweat.
The other uniquely Italian thing about the queue is across the road from it, it is easily the biggest moped parking area I’ve ever seen. It raises a smile in me, this is a unique country and I love it.
Italy…
We eventually get into the ground about 5 minutes before kick off and head to our seats and we’re confronted with another Italianism of football matches. Just because your ticket has a seat number on it, unless you get in early don’t expect to be able to sit there.
It’s every man for himself and we arrive to our seats to see them filled with Napoli fans. Again, in Italy it’s very common for away fans to sit in any area of a stadium and not just the allocated away section. You won’t find them in the ultras section obviously, but they’re generally accepted. If you’re watching your team as an away team in the home end, just don’t rub it in if you’re winning. You’re allowed to cheer the goals, but not excessively, then sit down and shut the fuck up is basically the rules.
Chaos reigns in the queue…
Even last year at the Milan derby I was sat with both Inter and Milan fans who were chatting about the game together.
Anyway, the section we’re in is crazy, the game is sold out so rather than go in the hunt for two seats together, we plonk ourselves down on the stairs with a few others and watch the first half. Napoli take the lead after 18 minutes through Anguissa. It’s a scrappy goal that started with some nice football and Anguissa going through 1v1. The goalkeepers attempt to close him down results in a messy “rounding” of the keeper by Anguissa who taps in as he’s falling over.
No one in a Napoli shirt cares how good or scrappy the goal is though, and they’re up. Flares are lit and the noise cranks up a level in the ground. Bologna aren’t in the game and they’re in danger of being overrun here. Napoli can smell blood after Inter’s draw on Saturday.
Napoli fans all over the ground celebrate taking the lead…
Half time comes and Isabelle and I have noticed a smattering of empty seats right down at the front, so we head there (via the bar). Down in position right in the front row, we strike up conversation with a half drunk guy next to us. He’s Scottish and travelling Italy watching football, and came to this game to see the obvious Scott McTominay, but also last season’s best midfielder winner Lewis Ferguson who turns out for Bologna.
As the second half gets underway Bologna have decided to play. They’re much more positive, much more decisive and much quicker. The Napoli section quietens down and the Bologna ultras step it up. They’re rewarded in the 64th minute when Dan Ndoye scores a quite audacious goal. Meeting a cross from the left he flicks it through his own legs with his heel, the ball rising to meet the underside of the bar and settle in the back of the net.
Dan Ndoye celebrates his equaliser…
They deserve the equaliser and there’s absolute pandemonium. Suddenly Conte’s team look happy with their point and there’s a ten minute spell where they look like they won’t get it. Eventually, the game settles back down and rather peters out in the final few minutes. Napoli have done a good job of killing the momentum Bologna were enjoying.
All told, the point is probably deserved. It’s not terrible for Napoli who saw Inter also drop points. And it kind of helps Inter out too. As we leave the ground with our new Scottish friend in tow, there’s a row of buses waiting and we hop straight on one heading for the City Centre.
We depart the bus outside the Celtic Druid pub and head in for a nightcap. The trip to Italy is coming to an end and tomorrow I’ll be hungover in an airport heading for home. It’s been three fantastic days and we haven’t seen one team win a game, witnessing three draws. I guess that’s almost appropriate for a country whose entire football identity is built on strong defence.
Writing these reviews of the long weekend have done nothing to quench my thirst to get back out to Italy and watch some more Calcio. I was over there 4 times last season and it wasn’t enough. As I mentioned back in part one, in my opinion Italy does food, beer, football (and women) better than anyone in the world and I think it comes from passion. Watch an Italian talk to another person and there’s passion oozing out of them, they apply the same to cooking, their football, to everything. Last week the fixtures for 2025/26 were released and I’m already planning trips.
We’re only a month on from the end of the 2024/25 season in Italy and already there’s more talking points that throughout most of the actual season. And the main one seems to be, who on Earth is going to be managing in Serie A next season?
Axes have been wielded, resignations have been handed in and managers have been caught flirting with rival clubs. So what’s going on? And what’s still to come? Hopefully I’ve made sense of it below for you…
Fiorentina
After being appointed in June last year to replace Vincenzo Italiano, Fiorentina manager Raffaele Palladino has left the club “by mutual consent”. There’s no replacement as yet, although Stefan Pioli is being heavily linked with the role according to Viola Nation. Seen by some as a stabilising influence, he’ll need to use all his experience to turn around a gradual decline in Firenze.
Atalanta
After 9 very successful years at the club, Gian Piero Gasperini has left Atalanta. During his time in Bergamo, Gasperini led Atalanta into the Champions League five times and his tenure was characterised by swashbuckling attacking play. He famously led the team to the 2024 Europa League title.
His replacement at Atalanta? It’s a baffling one… Ivan Juric has been handed the reigns in Northern Italy. That’s the same Ivan Juric that oversaw a disastrous spell in Rome last season before heading to England to somehow make Southampton worse than they already were – avoiding being the worst team in Premier League history by 1 point.
Roma
Gasperini comes through the door at Roma replacing firm fan favourite Claudio Ranieri. His move “upstairs” may be put on hold, however, with the news that Spalletti is leaving the national team job. Ranieri is the favourite to take the Azzurri through the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign. Watch this space!
Lazio
Across the city and Roma’s great rivals Lazio have also had a change in the dugout after a rather underwhelming end to the season. A comeback draw at the San Siro to hand Napoli the Scudetto was a brief highlight in an otherwise forgettable season under Marco Baroni. He was dismissed and Maurizio Sarri is back after a 15 month hiatus. Sarri was announced in spectacular fashion by the media team at Lazio and the former banker will be chain smoking his way through next season with the hopes he can restore the Lazio empire.
AC Milan
In Italy’s second city, change is also afoot. For the second time in a season Milan sacked their manager after Fonseca didn’t see in 2025, Conceicao is now also gone. An underwhelming season all round, Conceicao paid the price for an 8th place finish and no European football next season after a Coppa Italia final defeat. However, brief respite was offered in the shape of a 3-2 defeat of city rivals Inter in the Supercoppa final.
Allegri returns to Milan for next season after a break from the game following a trophy-laden spell at Juventus. In his first spell at Milan, he won the Serie A title and Supercoppa, Milan certainly hope he can repeat that next season.
Inter Milan
So near, yet so far to a treble. Dumped out of the Coppa Italia in the semi finals by Milan, beaten in the Supercoppa final, trounced in the Champions League final and second to Napoli by a point. Inter’s season could broadly be viewed as fairly successful until April. Simone Inzaghi was in demand from Al-Hilal and the news breaking in the run up to the final didn’t help their preparation.
A mutual parting followed a 5-0 defeat from PSG. Inter acted swiftly to woo Cesc Fabregas who promptly turned them down in a rather embarrassing episode. Christian Chivu is the man to take them forward. Their former centre back was manager of the Under 19 team who won the Primavera before being installed at Parma to secure Serie A survival. It’s a gamble, but Inter weren’t left with much choice with the Club World Cup on the horizon.
Torino
Further down the table, Torino parted company with Paolo Vanoli and replaced him almost immediately with Marco Baroni following his sacking by Lazio.
Parma
Parma only confirmed today that Christian Chivu had left the club after only a few short months. He replaced Fabio Pecchia in February and had the brief to save the club from an immediate return to Serie B. He did it, and then left for Inter. Rumours about a replacement are few and far between, but they’ll need to act fast to avoid losing out in the summer transfer window.
Italy National Team
In true bizarre fashion, national team manager Luciano Spalletti announced his own sacking in a press conference after a 3-0 defeat in Norway. But he’s not going anywhere yet… He’s managing the team tonight against Moldova before finally leaving. Clear? Thought not. Ranieri is the favourite to replace him since Calcio has some clear agenda on letting the poor guy retire in peace.
And there you have it. It’s been a matter of weeks since Serie A finished and the soap opera continues. Honourable mention to Juventus who look set to appoint Igor Tudor permanently after he finished off the season Thiago Motta started. Who do you think is the best appointment? Who’s undersold themselves and Who just got it plain wrong?
It’s Monday, so there’s a whole week of the soap opera about to begin. Below is our top ten list of things to look out for happening this week.
1. Serie A Fixture Release – Friday, June 6
Grab your espresso and mark the date—this Friday, the 2025/26 Serie A calendar drops. Fans are praying for a soft opening fixture. Clubs are crossing fingers to avoid an away trip to Bergamo in Week 1. And somewhere in Milan, Allegri is plotting a 1-0 already.
2. Serie C Play-Offs – Semi-Final Stage
It’s chaos, it’s passion, it’s Serie C. Ternana and Pescara will fight it out in the final for a golden ticket to Serie B. Expect drama, flares, debates, and at least one 90th-minute winner to shake things up over the two legs tonight and Saturday.
3. Maurizio Sarri Back at Lazio
Yes, you read that right—he’s back. Maurizio Sarri returns to Lazio just 15 months after quitting. Apparently, absence does make the heart grow fonder (or the board ran out of options). Two-year deal, one big reset button. Get the cigarettes and 4-3-3s ready.
4. Allegri Returns to Milan
AC Milan have turned back the clock and hired Max Allegri. He’s promised structure, pragmatism, and probably a very annoyed Rafael Leão being told to track back more. Milan want trophies. Allegri wants another coat. Let’s see who gets what first.
5. Gasperini Leaves Atalanta
After nine iconic years, Gian Piero Gasperini has waved goodbye to Atalanta and is set to join Roma. One Europa League trophy, countless 3-4-2-1s, and more underdog wins than a Rocky film series. Replacing him? Not so easy. The next coach better love wingbacks.
6. Special Serie A Transfer Window (June 1–10)
A unique transfer window opened on June 1 for clubs preparing for the FIFA Club World Cup. Deals can be registered until June 10. It’s like Black Friday for sporting directors—but with more agents and fewer refunds.
7. Davide Frattesi Transfer Rumours Heat Up
After a Champions League final cameo that never materialised, Frattesi is being linked with a move away from Inter. Juventus, Roma, and even some cheeky Premier League clubs are sniffing around. Inter might sell—but only if the price makes Oaktree raise an eyebrow. Watch this space—and Frattesi’s Instagram stories.
8. AC Milan Push for Samuele Ricci
With Allegri back and reportedly craving a Ricci-type in midfield, Milan are stepping up talks with Torino for the Italian starlet. At this point, Ricci may just walk to Milanello himself to get it over with.
9. Napoli Trademark “McFratm”
In what might be the most Napoli move ever, the club has filed a trademark on Scott McTominay’s nickname “McFratm.” He’s the city’s new cult hero, and merchandising execs are already dreaming up beach towels. All that’s missing is a line of limited edition Limoncello.
10. Juventus’ New Tudor Era Maybe Begins
With Thiago Motta drama behind them (for now), Juventus moved forward under Igor Tudor. The Croatian is a disciplinarian who doesn’t mind upsetting a few stars. Think of him as the anti-Allegri—except with just as much tactical tinkering and slightly better hair, and they look set to make his temporary stay a permanent one.
That’s your Italian football week ahead: part soap opera, part tactical chess, part transfer market circus. And it’s only Monday.
The casual observer may have missed Scott McTominay’s deadline day move from Manchester United to Napoli, dismissed it as an average player joining a 6/10 team not expected to pull up any trees. What the hell happened then? Fast forward 9 months and the newly crowned Serie A Player of the Year was scoring a bicycle kick in the final game to win Napoli only their fourth ever title.
It was 12th goal of a stellar season which also included 6 assists in his 34 matches and it underlined his importance to Napoli and, perhaps more importantly, to Antonio Conte. A dynamic midfielder himself, he saw something in “McSauce” at Manchester United and knew it would set Napoli on their way to a title.
The numbers speak for themselves too, in the top 5 European leagues this season, he ranks in the top 10% of all midfielders for goals per 90 minutes. His non-penalty xG of 0.21 goals per 90 minutes puts him in the top 4% of European midfielders his average touches in the opposition area per match of 2.84 is in the top 10% of European midfielders.
So is this simply a case of a player not being great in a top league and excelling at a “lower” level? Well, anyone who watched the Europa League final would argue that the Premier League standard isn’t exactly among Europe’s elites at the moment. There is something to be said for the breath of fresh air that seems to be achieved by leaving Manchester United. Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and others have all experienced a renaissance outside of Old Trafford.
But there’s something else at play here… McTominay has taken on a more attacking role in Napoli’s midfield. Traditionally viewed as a box to box player, Conte has shifted McTominay into an advanced playmaker role, finding himself often between the attacking and midfield lines and exploiting the gaps that brings. Aerially he’s a threat too, Napoli’s other midfield players don’t carry the same physical presence of McTominay – making Napoli a handful on set pieces with Lukaku also involved.
“Scott has goals in his blood; he’s very good at making runs into the box.” Antonio Conte
It’s notable how much McTominay has been able to improve his pressing and his off the ball runs. Timing has significantly improved, yes Serie A is played at a slower pace than the Premier League, but Conte and McTominay have clearly worked hard to improve this part of his game.
This marked improvement and desire to get better has had a ripple effect on a squad who last season rather limply defended their title. The entire squad is clearly working harder, thinking more and getting the results that go with it. McTominay was emphatic when asked on Conte’s influence on him, “When a coach like that wants to bring you into the squad, it fills you with confidence. The conversations we’ve had are obviously between me and the coach, but all very positive and really demanding, which is really good for a player of my age.”
Conte wasn’t holding back when he spoke about McTominay either, “Scott has goals in his blood; he’s very good at making runs into the box. He has excellent technical qualities, as well as an important physical stature. And he’s strong in the air. In his DNA, he has quite a few goals.”
In fact, pundits in Italy have been falling over themselves to praise the Scottish contingent in Naples, especially McTominay. Paolo Di Canio was decisive when he said, “How can you sell Scott McTominay for £30 million and sign Ugarte for £50 million?”.
It’s hard to argue with Di Canio too, while United were labouring to a 15th place finish in the Premier League after losing the Europa League final, McTominay was enjoying the adulation of Neapolitans by swigging from a whiskey bottled thrown onto the team bus during the victory parade.
Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and I have a feeling it won’t be long before we start seeing the deep fried…
The Calcio Blog 