The 2025/26 Serie A season promises to be one of the most fascinating and unpredictable in recent memory. While coaching continuity has been a common thread for many teams in previous seasons, this time it’s the real shakeup on the bench that’s making headlines: eleven clubs have changed coaches, reshaping the tournament map. Added to this are excellent returns, new projects, and the usual mix of favorites, outsiders, and newly promoted teams poised to surprise.
The big question looming ahead is clear: will it be a multi-headed championship, with many teams capable of fighting until the very end, or will we witness a solitary escape?
The Scudetto Race
Reigning champion Napoli starts as the favorite. Conte’s team, boasting a proven and competitive squad, will have to prove it can handle the weight of a double commitment: the Champions League and Serie A. Tactical consistency remains an important asset, but the question remains: will they be able to maintain the same level of focus?
AC Milan is likely the main unknown. The return of Massimiliano Allegri, after a sabbatical following difficult seasons at Juventus, brings with him experience and pragmatism. The question is whether the Livorno-born coach can revitalize a squad that has seen ups and downs in recent years.
Juventus, with Tudor in his first full season, aims to consolidate their renewal. The Croatian coach’s tactical work has already hinted at a more modern and attacking identity, but further reinforcements will be needed to bridge the gap with the other two or three favorites.
Changes on the bench: the real theme of the season
Serie A has never been so different from the benches. Allegri returns to AC Milan after 12 years, Juric to Atalanta, Pioli to Fiorentina, Sarri back to Lazio: great returns and changes in perspective.
But perhaps the greatest appeal lies in the changes: Cristian Chivu, after years leading Inter’s youth team, is preparing for the first team. Pisacane takes the helm at Cagliari after his time as an assistant at Arsenal, Cuesta is trying his hand at Parma after his stint as an assistant. And then Baroni to Torino, Gilardino to Pisa, Nicola to Cremonese, Di Francesco to Lecce.
A true blend of experience and footballing philosophies that will make the league a unique tactical laboratory.
The transfer market
The summer transfer market didn’t yield any sensational headline-grabbing signings, but it did yield several interesting moves. Edin Džeko’s return to Serie A, to bolster Pioli’s Fiorentina attack, brings leadership and experience. Morata returns to Serie A, this time to wear the colors of Como, after less than positive stints at AC Milan and Galatasaray.
Among the youngsters, noteworthy are the arrival of new foreign prospects and the confirmation of emerging Italian talents. The championship promises to be full of fresh faces ready to seize the opportunities the new coaches will present.
Young players to watch
2025/26 could be the year of breakthrough for several young players: Yildiz and Nico Paz above all.
Also not to be overlooked is Cesare Casadei, who has returned to Italy with the goal of establishing himself as a Serie A regular. Then there are talents like Jashari and Atta, both under-23s who could become unexpected stars. Attention will also be focused on the newly promoted teams, often fertile ground for launching new names onto the big stage.
Outsiders and the European race
Behind the big names, the battle for Europe promises to be intense. Roma finished last season on a high and now wants consistency. Lazio, with Sarri back in charge after a sabbatical, will seek to rediscover their lost tactical certainties and regain a place in Europe, following the final-day failure of Baroni’s Biancocelesti last season.
Atalanta, bereft of Gasperini, enters the Juric era: pressing, aggression, and the development of young players will be its hallmarks. Pioli’s Fiorentina, on the other hand, represents a classic wild card, with the quality to surprise. Bologna, Como, and Torino remain ready to capitalize on any missteps by the big teams.
The newly promoted teams and the fight for survival
With Cuesta on the bench, Parma’s project represents an ambitious one. The young Spanish coach will bring modern ideas and tactical courage, but the ultimate test will be their ability to withstand the pressure of more experienced opponents.
Pisa, entrusted to Gilardino after Inzaghi’s departure, is one of the most intriguing fairytales. Davide Nicola’s Cremonese, a master of impossible survivals, will try to surprise with his vertical football. The Grigiorossi, among other things, are unleashing their transfer activity, having acquired Baschirotto, Zerbin, Bondo, Grassi, and the two goalkeepers Audero and Silvestri.
Cagliari, Lecce, Verona, and Udinese remain among the teams that will have to fight to stay in the league, perhaps until the final matchday.
General Tactical Aspects
Serie A is also undergoing a tactical transformation. The widespread adoption of high pressing, the use of hybrid systems, and defensive fluidity are now well-established realities. Experienced coaches, like Allegri and Sarri, will have to find new solutions to an increasingly dynamic environment.
The impact of the five-substitution rule continues to be felt: those with a longer squad will be able to better manage the pace and double-header duties. The league is likely to be more attacking than in recent years, with an increase in the average number of goals and a more spectacular nature.
The European Factor: The Impact of Extra Schedules
It should not be forgotten that many Italian teams will be protagonists in Europe. Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, and Juventus will have to balance their league and cup competitions in the Champions League, with the risk of dropping points along the way.
Roma may have the opportunity to push all the way to the final in the Europa League, while Fiorentina can aim to be a protagonist in the Conference League. Performance in Europe will be a key factor in determining whether the league can remain balanced until the end.
Stories to watch
Beyond tactical and technical themes, the 2025/26 Serie A season will offer intriguing narratives. Allegri’s move to AC Milan represents a romantic return but also a crucial test. Sarri returns to Lazio eager to prove he hasn’t been overtaken by time. Pioli seeks to establish himself in Italy after his experience with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
But there’s also room for “new faces”: Chivu at Inter and Cuesta at Parma are examples of how Serie A is opening its doors to young coaches with innovative ideas. Stories that, one way or another, will shape the championship.
A Serie A not to be missed
The new season presents itself as a mosaic of uncertainty, promise, and new adventures. The race for the top spot seems more open, the race for Europe crowded, and the fight for survival intense.
If Italian football has often had to deal with predictability in recent years, the 2025/26 season begins under the sign of uncertainty. And perhaps this is precisely its greatest attraction: a Serie A where anything can happen.