Serie A 08-09: A 6-horse title race?
The Serie A 2008/09 promises to me an exhilarating season as crap teams have become mediocre teams, mediocre teams have become good teams and good teams have become… very good teams.
Milan has introduced a new regime by ousting Alberto Gilardino and a series of other players and bringing in the Brazilian army. Juventus have finally created a squad worthy of the Champions League. Inter Milan have strengthened a squad already capable of thrashing and burning 80% of the world’s best teams.
Fiorentina have built a team that will challenge in both the league and the champions league. Napoli have come, in two years, from a newly promoted side to a title contender. And that leaves Roma: the only of one of the so-called ‘Big Six’ that haven’t exactly… made their squad better at anything. After all, Loria and Riise are hardly worthy signings if you look at the other teams’ transfers.
Anyway, for the first time in at least a decade, there are six teams capable of Champions League qualification and four teams capable of the UEFA Cup (Udinese, Palermo, Sampdoria, and Lazio). I believe and hope that this season will bring much-needed sparks to Italian football after the last two seasons (both won by Inter with only Roma challenging). This is what I think the top 10 will be:
1. Milan
2. Inter
3. Juventus
4. Fiorentina
5. Roma
6. Napoli
7. Palermo
8. Lazio
9. Sampdoria
10. Udinese
People, be prepared. Because this will be like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Disagree with GT? Make your predictions in the comments below.
Serie A is so deep in talent its incredible…I would like to see EPL fans make the arguement that their league is that deep because other then the top 4 and tottenham the rest of the EPL is utter crap
but i don’t think ACM are ready to fight for the title. probably Inter will retain the serie A, Juve come close and follows by ACM and Fiorentina. Anyway, yeah people seria A league have so much talent, much more competitive, and this season will be more exciting as Jose Mourinho already there.
Milan, will be what Bayern are last season, wanting to win the UEFA Cup for good, and at the same time win their league when their rivals are more busy in Europe then them.
Heh, Milan at first? Who will score the goals? Ronaldinho isnt back, yet. Who will replace Nesta when injury hits? Maldini?
Milan will fight for CL-qualifier yet again. 4th place is my bet. Inter at first, Roma on second (as long as they get reinforcement – Baptista and/or Malouda).
I’ll go with Inter first and either Fiorentina or Juve in second/third.
I don’t know if Napoli could make a legit title run this season, but give it another season or two, if they hold on to Hamsik, Lavezzi, and their other key players, it could be like the late 80s all over again.
judging by the pre season milan will fail to challenge inter
inter will win yet again
Milan? I doubt it. Inter-Juve for me, with milan-roma-fiorentina right behind them.
I think Inter will win it. It was a good thing they did not get Lamps, but their squad is more or less completed when the season ended (like Madrid, United)
Juventus will come in close 2nd.
Roma or Milan will fight it out in 3rd and 4th. It will be how Milan’s season turn out to be.
Fiorentina will be back in UEFA Cup in 5th.