Serie A Kicks Off: De Bruyne Joins Napoli, Pulisic Eyes Big Milan Season

As the Serie A and Bundesliga seasons commence this weekend, marking the return of Europe`s top five leagues, football enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling period. This article provides a comprehensive preview of what to anticipate in Serie A as the opening matches approach.

All times U.S./Eastern

• Friday, August 22
  • 🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ ESPN2
  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 EPL: West Ham vs. Liverpool, 3 p.m. ➡️ USA Network
  • 🇺🇸 NWSL: Chicago Stars vs. North Carolina Courage, 8 p.m. ➡️ Prime Video
• Saturday, August 23
  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 EPL: Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 7:30 a.m. ➡️ USA Network
  • 🇮🇹 Serie A: AC Milan vs. Cremonese, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
  • 🇪🇸 LaLiga: Levante vs. Barcelona, 3:30 p.m. ➡️ ESPN+
  • 🇺🇸 NWSL: Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit, 4 p.m. ➡️ CBS, Paramount+
  • 🇺🇸 MLS: FC Dallas vs. LAFC, 8:30 p.m. ➡️ MLS Season Pass
• Sunday, August 24
  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 EPL: Fulham vs. Manchester United, 11:30 a.m. ➡️ USA Network
  • 🇮🇹 Serie A: Juventus vs. Parma, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+, CBS Sports Network
  • 🇪🇸 LaLiga: Real Oviedo vs. Real Madrid, 3:30 p.m. ➡️ ESPN+
  • 🇺🇸 NWSL: San Diego Wave vs. Racing Louisville, 8 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
  • 🇺🇸 MLS: Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting Kansas City, 9:15 p.m. ➡️ FS1

While Premier League clubs dominated summer transfer headlines with major signings, Serie A teams have also made significant additions, bringing in an exciting array of talent for the new season. This includes two veteran attacking midfielders, expected to make a substantial impact.

Kevin De Bruyne Joins Napoli

After a decade with Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne`s move to Napoli is an ambitious acquisition for the reigning Serie A champions. The 34-year-old addresses a crucial need for Antonio Conte`s side, whose title victory was not due to an overwhelming attack; Napoli scored only 59 goals from 53.82 expected goals last season, ranking sixth in both categories. Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay`s combined 26 goals accounted for 44% of the team`s total league tally, highlighting the need for offensive creativity. However, De Bruyne`s immediate impact might be hampered by Lukaku`s preseason injury, potentially sidelining him for up to three months, casting an early shadow over their title defense.

Luka Modric and Christian Pulisic at AC Milan

Meanwhile, AC Milan secured Luka Modric at the start of preseason after his 13-year tenure with Real Madrid came to an end. Under new manager Massimiliano Allegri, Milan could present a fascinating new look this season. While Allegri retains most of Milan`s previous attacking talent, Modric is a key piece in their strategy to improve after a disappointing eighth-place finish. Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao, consistent performers, are still expected to play significant roles. Additionally, Allegri`s team is reportedly close to signing Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen. As Francesco Porzio notes, Boniface fills a critical need for Milan, arriving on a loan deal of approximately $6 million with a purchase option of $27.85 million.

With the World Cup less than a year away, players globally are focused on proving their worth, a sentiment particularly strong in Italy. Key attacking talents from the host nations – the U.S., Mexico, and Canada – are now showcasing their skills in Serie A. Each faces significant pressure to excel this season, aiming to build a strong foundation for an impactful World Cup showing.

Christian Pulisic`s Pivotal Season

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan leads this group, not only as a central figure for the U.S. men’s national team but also as one of Serie A`s standout performers since his 2023-24 season move. The winger boasts 23 goals in 70 league appearances and was arguably the sole bright spot during Milan`s drop to eighth place last season. His role under Massimiliano Allegri remains a point of interest, as he has played in a front-two formation while Milan sought a striker – a void now potentially filled by Victor Boniface. Whether this was a temporary measure or an opportunity for Pulisic to display his versatility will be closely watched.

Other Key Players from Host Nations

Pulisic isn`t the only World Cup host nation player at Milan. Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez is set to begin his first full season in Italy, and until the Boniface deal is finalized, he remains Milan’s only natural striker in contention to start. Yunus Musah, Pulisic`s club and country teammate, remains at Milan despite summer links to Napoli, facing a crucial season. Musah has yet to establish himself as a USMNT regular, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino may reconfigure the midfield following Malik Tillman and Diego Luna`s impressive performances in the summer`s Concacaf Gold Cup.

Similarly, Juventus` Weston McKennie, potentially a regular for Igor Tudor`s side this season, will need to prove himself after recent underwhelming performances for the USMNT. Pochettino`s Canadian counterpart, Jesse Marsch, will also be monitoring Juventus closely following Jonathan David`s summer move from Lille, ending his five-year spell there. Juventus` attack was notably subdued last season, scoring 58 goals from 51.48 expected goals, ranking seventh in both categories. David, a long-touted talent, now has the chance to prove his value at Juventus, including in their upcoming UEFA Champions League campaign.

• Italian club Como aims for prominence, backed by Hollywood connections and grand ambitions.
• Disturbing scenes at a Copa Sudamericana match in Buenos Aires saw two fans stabbed, a toilet thrown, and other violent incidents during Independiente vs. Universidad de Chile.
• Eberechi Eze`s potential move to Arsenal raises questions about his eligibility for the Champions League if he`s been named to Crystal Palace`s Conference League squad.
• Pep Guardiola is seemingly reshaping Manchester City`s strategy around star striker Erling Haaland, signaling a significant tactical shift.
• Inter Miami advanced to the Leagues Cup semifinals without Lionel Messi, securing victory with two penalty kicks from Luis Suarez.
• Gotham FC`s inaugural official game in New York City showcased the vibrant and chaotic spirit of both the city and Concacaf football.

• English Premier League: West Ham United vs. Chelsea (Friday)

  Prediction: Marc Cucurella to have 2+ shots. Under Enzo Maresca, Cucurella has shown an increased attacking presence. Against a potential relegation-battling West Ham, Chelsea might score early, providing Cucurella with opportunities to shoot.

• Serie A: Scudetto Winner

  Prediction: Napoli to win the league. Despite Romelu Lukaku`s potential absence, the combined strength of Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne will make Antonio Conte`s Napoli formidable. While there hasn`t been a repeat Scudetto winner since Juventus`s nine consecutive titles, this Napoli squad is robust enough to claim their third title in four seasons, with other contenders appearing less strong.

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