A new season is always something to look forward to, although enthusiasm in Italy appears to have taken a dent as the gap between the various clubs seems to have been extended over the transfer window.
It’s no longer a tale of the elite big city sides and the provincial outfits as Juventus appear so far ahead of everyone that it’s almost impossible to see the status quo change in any way.
The clear superiority of Juve has somehow only been magnified after their already remarkable achievement of five straight titles and two consecutive domestic doubles. Barring a miracle or a complete calamity in Turin, the title race is almost certain to be a foregone conclusion.
As enjoyable as it may be to see Paulo Dybala, Dani Alves, Gonzalo Higuain and Miralem Pjanic linking up together, sport’s true greatness comes from the stories it creates rather than technical ability alone. It’s like watching the United States of America dominate in basketball as the fact that failure appears impossible makes success and unmatched ability difficult to appreciate.
By purchasing top players from direct rivals Roma and Napoli in Pjanic and Higuain, Juve are not just widening the gap, they are providing a sad indictment of how romanticism is dead in football. It’s perfectly understandable for the Bosnia and Herzegovina and Argentina internationals to ditch two sides that cant quite get over the line, but it makes the competition less interesting for all and even cheapens Juve’s achievement for many neutral observers as victory never looks to be in doubt.
Higuain could have joined Diego Maradona as a god in Naples as he smashed in 36 goals a season while singing ‘Un giorno all’improvviso’ under the curva. He will instead be remembered by the Partenopei faithful as the worst kind of traitor and Maradona himself was hurt by the switch after praising his compatriot for representing the southern side when Carlos Tevez was at the Vecchia Signora.
However, his choice is perfectly understandable from a perspective not tainted by emotion. Napoli, too, got a brilliant deal. The €90 million could help close the gap although transfer expenditure provides no guarantee of success.
Italy has traditionally had Fiorentina and the two Rome clubs to challenge the big three with the occasional shock champions in Sampdoria, Hellas Verona or Cagliari.
The league’s reputation will be hit further as Juve seem set to go one better than Inter in the mid-2000s and add a six straight title and that really matters in the digital age as people watch football in different countries.
The lack of competitiveness in Italy provides fuel for bar room chatter as fans nervously consider a European Super League as the logical next step and both Milan clubs have sounded keen in the past as they struggle without the Champions League money and the ardors of succeeding in a meritocracy.
Serie A’s uncertain standing was also furthered by Paul Pogba’s sale to Manchester United as the Italian behemoths couldn’t stop the star from moving to a Premier League side without Champions League football.
Financially, the deal was irresistible for Juve and reinforcements had already been signed with time to spare although the deal again reiterates the state of the food chain. The Bianconeri can cherry pick the best talent from all of their domestic opponents but they themselves remain adrift of the true European elite who can pluck away their top stars.
The two Milan sides may have better chances of readdressing the balance of power in the near future following the arrival of Chinese investment at AC Milan and Inter. Yet, there have been relatively few captures of note barring the seemingly shrewd signing of Gianluca Lapadula by the Rossoneri.
The Nerazzurri’s return to greatness also seems to have a long way to go as 4-1 and 6-1 defeats to Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur were followed by the confirmation of Roberto Mancini’s extremely protracted sacking. However, the change in ownership may still prove successful for both as a greater sense of stability and ambition could prove important in settling the players and fans.
Yet, football is by its very nature a consistently unpredictable affair. Injuries, fallings-out and the emergence of new stars mean that the 2016-17 season cannot go without drama.
There is some romance in Crotone competing in their first Serie A campaign and giving the southern region of Calabria their first representatives since Reggina’s relegation in the 2008-09 season.
Sardinia will again benefit from the exposure of Cagliari being in the top flight and the Rossoblu have some ambitious aims as they have been active in the transfer market and have secured the council’s backing for a new stadium.
Fiorentina appear to have managed to avoid the instability that can undo their usual steps forward while traditional big clubs such as Torino and Bologna have done well in giving themselves a solid base from which to edge up the table.
In many ways, Serie A sides have redressed some of their past failings. The 2016-17 campaign could prove to be the final hurrah for inequality. The title race may seem over but there will certainly be some subplots to savour elsewhere.
