Serie A 2021/22 Preview
Italian football is at an all-time high following an enthralling Euro 2020 campaign that saw the Azzurri lift the coveted trophy. Inter Milan are the defending Serie A champions but have sold Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi, making their overall squad make up a little weaker.
Juventus will be doing all they can to get their hands back on the trophy and with Massimiliano Allegri at the helm, anything is possible. AC Milan have also strengthened during the transfer window, whilst AS Roma have brought in Jose Mourinho and now appear more box office than ever before.
Here are our Serie A 2021/22 season tips:
OUTRIGHT WINNER
Last season was a year to forget for the ‘Old Lady’ as they saw their Serie A title slip away and into the hands of a grateful Inter Milan. Andrea Pirlo was duly dispatched as manager and Massimiliano Allegri’s presence is sure to make a big difference at the Juventus Stadium this year. With the club seemingly on the brink of signing Manuel Locatelli too, it could be a year to remember for Juventus.
Defending champions Inter Milan still have the bones of their squad from last season but losing Romelu Lukaku, Achraf Hakimi and manager Antonio Conte is sure to have a detrimental effect. They had way too much for all in front of them in Serie A last season, but other sides are sure to catch up and with well documented financial problems at the San Siro, Inter could struggle a little this season.
Few sides have displayed the consistent improvement over the past few seasons that Atalanta have, and their unique brand of football has Italy talking. Going all the way and challenging for the Serie A title does look a little way off for Atalanta currently but with some excellent players in their ranks, anything is possible.
GOLDEN BOOT Winner
CRISTIANO RONALDO – JUVENTUS – 5/2
A man who needs absolutely no introduction, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a huge hit since his arrival in Turin and winning the Serie A trophy back will be essential to him. If he stays fit, goals are guaranteed, and he could be the man to catch in the Golden Boot race this year.
Colombian Duvan Zapata enjoyed a stellar campaign last year and his goals pushed Atalanta into the Champions League places again last term. Zapata’s direct style causes grief for opposition defenders and he could sneak under the radar in this term.
Another key player in the Italian Euro 2020 triumph, Ciro Immobile is back in Naples and is keen to bang the goals in once more. He leads the line along with Dries Mertens and the two of them forge one of the most feared forward lines in Serie A.
TO FINISH BOTTOM
Promoted sides always have it tough when they come up and US Salernitina will be hoping to disprove that myth. They have competed in Serie A before and are a strong outfit, but they will have to be at their best to stay up this term.
Another promoted side Venezia have defied the odds to find themselves in the top flight of Italian football but their unique brand of play could hold them in good stead here. They are an exciting side but will have to keep things tight at the back to stay up.
