The 2025-26 Serie A season is set to commence on August 23rd. The previous season saw Napoli clinch the Scudetto in a thrilling finale against Simone Inzaghi`s Inter. However, the landscape of the league has drastically shifted in the intervening months, with seven of last season`s top ten clubs appointing new managers. Antonio Conte remains at Napoli, resisting Juventus`s overtures, as the Bianconeri confirmed Igor Tudor, who had replaced Thiago Motta last season. Bologna extended Vincenzo Italiano`s contract after their 2024-25 Coppa Italia triumph. Beyond these three, most teams underwent significant changes. Inter, following a disappointing Champions League final defeat to PSG, replaced Inzaghi with Cristian Chivu, a 2010 Champions League winner. Atalanta bid farewell to Gian Piero Gasperini, who departed after eight years (since 2016) to join AS Roma, with former Southampton coach Ivan Juric taking his place. The new season also marks the return of three prominent coaches: Massimiliano Allegri to AC Milan, Maurizio Sarri to Lazio, and Stefano Pioli to Fiorentina after a season with Al-Nassr. This article presents a power ranking of the teams ahead of the new campaign:
Title Contenders
Teams expected to compete fiercely for the Scudetto title.
1. Napoli
Napoli, the reigning 2024-25 Serie A champions, are strong favorites to retain the Scudetto. Antonio Conte`s decision to remain, coupled with significant squad enhancements, bolsters their position. Key arrivals include former Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer, Noa Lang from PSV, Sam Beukema from Bologna, Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese, and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic from Torino. These strategic additions make Napoli an even more formidable side, especially given that many of their direct rivals have undergone managerial changes.
2. Inter
Inter concluded the previous season on a disappointing note, failing to secure any silverware, most notably suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League final. Their new head coach, Cristian Chivu, has limited Serie A experience, having only managed 13 games with Parma last year, where he successfully staved off relegation. While Inter`s squad remains robust and competitive, it`s uncertain whether Chivu can immediately restore the club to success. His relative inexperience at this level could impact the team`s performance in his debut full Serie A season.
3. AC Milan
AC Milan has the potential to emulate Napoli`s Scudetto triumph from last season, achieved without European distractions under Antonio Conte. However, Milan`s current situation differs significantly from Napoli`s last summer. The Rossoneri have offloaded key players, including midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City and Theo Hernandez to Al-Hilal, and are currently in a rebuilding phase. Nevertheless, Massimiliano Allegri`s return, following his 2010-11 Scudetto success with the club, strongly positions them for a successful campaign, with Champions League qualification being a primary objective.
European Contenders
Teams that will compete for a spot in the European tournaments next season.
4. Juventus
Juventus has opted to retain Igor Tudor, who took over from Thiago Motta in late March, signaling the start of a new era, also marked by the departure of former sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli this summer. While the Bianconeri will need to make further squad adjustments before the transfer window closes, they are well-placed compared to rivals to secure a Champions League qualification spot next season.
5. AS Roma
Gian Piero Gasperini`s move to AS Roma is arguably the most intriguing appointment in Serie A this summer. After nine successful years at Atalanta, culminating in their 2024 UEFA Europa League triumph, Gasperini embarks on a new challenge. Following a lackluster season, salvaged by Claudio Ranieri (now an advisor to the Friedkin family, the club`s owners), the Giallorossi were keen to secure a manager of Gasperini`s proven ability. The question remains: can he replicate his Atalanta success in Rome?
6. Como
Como is poised to be the dark horse of the 2025-26 season, if their substantial summer investment of over $100 million in squad improvements allows for such a label. With Cesc Fàbregas at the helm, the club is ready to elevate its ambitious project. Having resisted Inter`s attempts to poach their manager this summer, Como has high expectations. The onus is now on Fàbregas to demonstrate why Como could be the next significant force in Italian football.
7. Fiorentina
Stefano Pioli, previously managing AC Milan and Al-Nassr, makes his return to Fiorentina, where he coached from 2017 to 2019. Expectations are high, particularly after successfully retaining a key player like Moise Kean this summer. Fiorentina aims to build upon last season`s sixth-place finish, which secured them a spot in the UEFA Conference League, and strive for further improvement.
8. Bologna
Bologna faces increased pressure this season, having qualified for the Champions League two years prior and winning the Coppa Italia under Vincenzo Italiano`s guidance last season. While it`s challenging to predict if they can ascend further, the acquisition of experienced players like Ciro Immobile and Federico Bernardeschi signals their ambition to compete effectively at the international level.
9. Atalanta
Atalanta is expected to face some challenges following the departure of pivotal figure Gian Piero Gasperini. The club has appointed Ivan Juric, aiming for a continuity in playing style, given his long association with Gasperini as both a player and coach. However, this is a risky move, as Juric had unsuccessful stints at both AS Roma and Southampton during the 2024-25 season. He will have limited time to prove his suitability for this demanding role.
10. Lazio
Despite the return of Maurizio Sarri, considered one of Serie A`s top managers, Lazio`s transfer activity has been severely hampered by financial constraints, preventing significant squad improvements this summer. Consequently, it remains uncertain whether Sarri`s tactical prowess alone will be sufficient to guide the team back into European competition by season`s end.
In the Middle
Teams that should not be worried about relegation.
11. Torino
Torino has consistently avoided European qualification in recent years, yet they have also steered clear of any significant relegation threats. This season is unlikely to deviate from that pattern, even with the arrival of experienced new manager Marco Baroni, formerly of Lazio.
12. Udinese
After a challenging period, Udinese enjoyed a relatively stable season last year under new coach Kosta Runjaic. They aim to maintain this consistency, despite losing key striker Lorenzo Lucca, who has moved to Napoli this summer.
13. Genoa
Genoa finds itself in a similar position to Udinese and Torino. They began a new chapter last season with Patrick Vieira replacing Alberto Gilardino as manager. It is likely too soon for them to realistically contend for European qualification.
Fight to Avoid Relegation
Teams that will battle to avoid relegation to the second division.
14. Parma
Parma has made a fascinating, albeit risky, decision by appointing Carlos Cuesta, previously Mikel Arteta`s assistant at Arsenal, as their new head coach, replacing Cristian Chivu who joined Inter. At 29, Cuesta is the youngest manager in Serie A history, making his performance in his debut season as a professional first-team manager largely unpredictable.
15. Cagliari
Cagliari has consistently maintained its top-flight status over the years, demonstrating resilience despite various managerial and squad changes. This season, they are taking a different approach, promoting Fabio Pisacane, their former U19 manager and a former defender, to the head coach role.
16. Sassuolo
Sassuolo returns to Serie A after just one season in the second division. Given their financial capacity, it is anticipated they will successfully retain their top-flight status. Sassuolo can be considered one of the more consistent teams in the league, and their return is a notable event.
17. Hellas Verona
Hellas Verona, largely due to the commendable efforts of their past and present management, managed to retain their league position despite significant financial difficulties under previous ownership. A positive development for fans and the team is the club`s acquisition by an American fund in January 2025, which aims to stabilize and strengthen their standing in the coming years.
18. Cremonese
Cremonese has appointed Davide Nicola, a manager highly regarded for his ability to navigate relegation battles. However, it appears they will need substantial squad improvements in the final month of the summer transfer window to stand a realistic chance of survival.
19. Lecce
Lecce faces a significantly tougher challenge to retain their top-flight status this season, particularly after another managerial change, with former Venezia boss Eusebio Di Francesco replacing Marco Giampaolo. Furthermore, their squad could be weakened in the final weeks of the transfer window, as several key players are anticipated to depart before the deadline.
20. Pisa
Pisa makes its return to Serie A after over three decades, but their current squad appears ill-equipped to compete against their rivals. They urgently need to acquire experienced Serie A players to bolster their roster before it`s too late.
