Serie A Season Preview 2014/2015: Who can stop Juventus claiming four-in-a-row?

Date: 29th August 2014 at 12:30pm
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Juventus lift Scudetto trophyTwo months ago, this season looked like it would be boring. Juventus was returning possibly the best coach in the league and management had signaled a commitment to upgrading players to make a more serious run in the Champions League.  The big question is whether Roma could possibly find a way to keep up with the record-setting champions.

Now, the question may be whether Juve can keep up with i Lupi.  Conte is gone and in his place is Massimiliano Allegri, the man who led Milan to a scudetto three years ago but was also fired early last season because the Rossoneri were closer to relegation than the Champions League.

Under Walter Sabatini and Rudi Garcia, Roma is ascendant but recently losing Mehdi Benatia means the team’s vaunted defence has suffered a major blow.  Of course this discounts clubs like Napoli and Fiorentina making a run at a scudetto, both of whom have immense attacking talent.

In short, who knows what will happen up top this season.

Newcomer of the Year (Non-Serie A edition)

Stefan de Vrij was expected to follow his national team coach to Manchester United.  Instead Lazio scooped him up (along with Geoff Cameron) to provide more talent along the back.  de Vrij will make a major difference in front of net and, if Lazio provide a surprise Champions League challenge, their defence will be a major reason.

Newcomer of the Year (Serie A edition)

Juan Iturbe was a revelation for Hellas Verona last season and was a big reason the club finished in the top half of the table.  “The new Messi” brings i Lupi more punch in their attack and could be a major difference in where Roma finishes this season.

First Coach Fired This Season

Sarcastically I want to nominate Allegri, but with the rise of Palermo to Serie A the obvious nominee is Giuseppe Iachini.  Whether he deserves it or not, Maurizio Zamparini’s history cannot be ignored.

Coach of the Year

Lazio looks primed to make a move up the table.  A combination of smart transfers and a desire to keep up with rival Roma gives me a feeling that they will be a surprise team this season.  As such, Stefano Pioli will not only survive the season but will be the coach of the season.

Three Clubs to be Relegated this Season

Sorry Cesena, it was a nice run through the Serie B play-offs last season but your stay in the top flight will not be long.  Who will be joining them, however, is a tougher call.  Empoli look like a prime candidate but, as I mentioned in my preview, they could have enough things break their way to avoid the drop.  The third promoted side, Palermo, have enough talent (especially if Abel Hernandez stays) to finish above the drop.

That leaves two teams that barely survived last season but whose luck will run out this season.  Sassuolo is a great story – a small club with a great talent identification strategy.  Despite holding on to Domenico Berardi, the club will fall just short and finish 18th.  Below them will be Chievo, which admittedly is a surprise pick after they had such a quality transfer window. However, every year there seems to be a surprise team to drop and they have the markings of such a candidate.

Europa League Participants

The aforementioned Lazio have made some impressive improvements to their club but they still do not have the talent overall to crack the top three or four clubs in Serie A.  I predict a fifth place finish for them, right above a “resurgent” Inter.  While Nemanja Vidic took the headlines, players like Dani Osvaldo and Yann M’Vila will help Inter transition away from its older Argentine core.  The overall talent is still not there however for a scudetto challenge.

Of the four title challengers, again Fiorentina will finish fourth and outside the Champions League.  Vincenzo Montella is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the league, and getting Giuseppe Rossi and Mario Gomez back from injury is almost like a new transfer.  Marko Marin is also a difference-maker.  However, the overall talent is lacking compared to their rivals.

Champions League places

Napoli are absolutely stacked up front, especially with the addition of Michu in the midfield.  However, even with the addition of Kalidou Koulibaly, Napoli lack overall depth and world-class talent in the back comparable to the top two clubs.

Roma as we mentioned return a solid brain-trust of the field, a stout defence, and a dynamic attack.  Ashley Cole is a good signing but cannot replace the overall quality of Benatia.  Roma will be in the race all season, but will fall just short to…

Champions

Juventus.  Despite the turmoil Allegri inevitably will bring, if this club can hold on to Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal through this transfer window, then they will have the deepest and most talented squad in Serie A.

The back three plus Gianluigi Buffon will be impregnable still, and a second season of Carlos Tevez should frighten anyone.  The Old Lady will clinch a fourth straight Scudetto again late in the season, in a much closer fight with Roma.

 

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