Inter Milan begin their Serie A title defence on Saturday as clear favourites to retain the Scudetto, but the reigning champions have undergone significant changes since completing a league and Italian Cup double in May. Cristian Chivu is entering his second season in charge and has reshaped a squad he inherited from Simone Inzaghi little over a year ago. The Romanian has focused on rejuvenating an ageing team while adding a distinctly Premier League flavour during the summer transfer window. Spanish goalkeeper Josep Martinez is expected to take over from the departed Yann Sommer as part of a refreshed rearguard that was showing signs of wear.
Inter are also pursuing Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones as they look to maintain a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
“The objective is always to win, always to dominate the league,” midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu recently told beIN Sports. “In five seasons I’ve won eight trophies and played in two Champions League finals, and we’ll keep trying to win titles.”
Conte’s successor, Massimiliano Allegri, boasts six Serie A titles with Juventus and Milan. He has questions to answer though after a disappointing spell at Milan ended with the club missing out on Champions League qualification on the final day. Roma finished third under Gian Piero Gasperini, while Como, led by former Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, are preparing for a remarkable Champions League debut just seven years after playing in Italy’s fourth tier.
They splashed out a club record 74 million euros ($86 million) to sign Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain, striving to bolster the attacking options for a team hurt by a lack of goals. Juventus have nevertheless invested heavily, spending more than 40 million euros to secure France forward Randal Kolo Muani.
The club has made sweeping changes and parted ways with Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic, previously Serie A’s highest-paid player.
