Serie A Season Preview 2018/2019 (Second Half)

Nothing new in Italy. Juventus are on the right track to win their fifth consecutive Serie A trophy, but they will have to prove their worth on the field.

Juventus chiefs did well to reinforce the squad in the summer transfer window, with Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo superstar joining the Italian giants. The club owners signed CR7 as they are determined to win their first Champions League trophy since 1996 when they defeated Ajax in the final of the elite competition. Juve have been impressive in the 2018/2019 Serie A season this season and they have yet to suffer a loss in the national championship. Seeing that Max Allegri’s troops are nine points clear of second-placed Napoli in the Serie A standings, the reigning champions will almost certainly defend their trophy.

Napoli, on the other hand, are determined to put an end to Juve’s dominance in the Italian top flight, which is easier said than done. The Neapolitans have already dropped a number of points in the 2018/2019 season and given the quality of Juventus’ squad, we do not believe that Carlo Ancelotti’s men will have a reason for celebration at the end of the season. Anyhow, the Partenopei are widely expected to secure yet another top-three finish.

Inter were producing splendid displays in the first half of the season, but, all of a sudden, they suffered a dip in form. The Nerazzurri have slim chances of winning the Scudetto and seeing that they failed to make it to the Champions League knockout stages, we believe that they will be fully focused on the national championship in the remainder of the season, which will see them book their place in the elite competition. Mauro Icardi is enjoying yet another season to remember, but, as previously mentioned, he is unlikely to help the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza outfit win the domestic trophy.

Milan have been having their ups and downs under Genaro Gatusso this season, but they are still in the race for a place in the Champions League. Key attacker Gonzalo Higuain joined Chelsea on loan in the January transfer window, but fans have big expectations for Poland rising star Krzysztof Piatek, who signed for the Stadio San Siro club.

The likes of Lazio, Roma and Atalanta are in the race for a place in the Champions League as well and, no doubt, an interesting second half of the season in the Serie A is on the horizon.

As for the relegation battle, Chievo are doomed to failure as they have collected no more than 9 points in the Serie A so far this term, with Frosinone being considered favourites to suffer relegation to the Serie B as well. Serbian tactician Sinisa Mihajlovic marked his Bologna debut with a 1-0 win over Inter and the fans are positive that he is going to help the Rossoblu secure yet another top flight survival. Empoli, Udinese, SPAL and Cagliari are sitting in the danger zone as well, meaning that they will have to be at their sharpest in the remainder of the season if they are to avoid drop to the Italian second tier.