With nine successive Serie A titles followed by two campaigns where Champions League qualification seemed a shallow silver lining, Juventus’ fall from grace has been clear to see in recent years. This summer has seen several big names depart Turin, and the Bianconeri will be hard-pressed to find adequate replacements in order to once again fight for the Scudetto.
Serie A returned last week and goals came standard along with a healthy dose of drama. Inter scraped past newly promoted Lecce thanks to a 95th-minute goal by Denzel Dumfries, Dušan Vlahović and Ante Rebić both scored twice, and Napoli thrashed Verona 5-2 to go top of the league from the off.
This week, expect more of the same as most big-name clubs take on lesser-known opposition with a few exceptions, all on Paramount+.
After two games played in the Premier League season, Christian Pulisic has managed to play 33 minutes. There has been speculation Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel doesn’t trust the young American, and with a World Cup just months away, game time will be important. Many clubs have been linked with Pulisic, but finding the right fit is easier said than done.
Lorenzo Insigne scored the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute and host Toronto FC ended the Portland Timbers' unbeaten run with a 3-1 win on Saturday.
Toronto (8-12-5, 29 points) improved to 3-0-1 in its past four games. Portland (7-7-12, 33 points) had been on a 4-0-6 run since its last defeat back on May 28, against Inter Miami.
This weekend, Serie A kicks off following a transfer window that changed the dynamic of the entire league. Former favorites have failed to impress while good investments have helped others emerge as contenders.
A relatively unassuming first weekend of games gives way to a title fight that has the potential to include as many as five clubs. Relegation will be a trap door that many will need to be aware of, including some relatively big teams.
European soccer leagues are back and the Serie A will definitely be one to watch. This season in particular will be perhaps the most competitive in the last decade. With Juventus being kicked off its nine-year Scudetto winning streak by Inter Milan in 2021, AC Milan winning its first league title in 11 years last season and AS Roma coming off its historic European trophy winning season, the Italian calcio is making a comeback. So what better time for some Serie A predictions?
Hypothetically speaking, if you could only watch one club in Europe this season from a neutral's perspective, I don't think you could find anything more dramatic or exciting than the current build of AS Roma.
The hype started last season with the return of José Mourinho to Italy, where he enjoys an unblemished reputation on the strength of his remarkable two-year period with Inter Milan. The 59-year-old didn't disappoint during his first year in Rome by landing the club's first major trophy (the inaugural Conference League) since 2008.
It's being reported that Weston McKennie dislocated his shoulder in training ahead of Juventus’ preseason match against Real Madrid on Saturday night. With the World Cup just months away, how does this impact the USMNT’s preparation for the tournament?
Weston McKennie could be out for at least a month after dislocating his shoulder
Leeds United completed its final preseason fixture ahead of opening the Premier League campaign against Wolves on Aug. 6, and Jesse Marsch's men delighted a crowd of nearly 30,000 at Elland Road with a 6-2 beatdown of Serie B side Cagliari.
Marsch selected both of his American players in the starting XI with Tyler Adams playing in the midfield pivot role alongside Marc Roca. Brenden Aaronson was in a front three with Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford.
There are many reasons to like Venezia. The Venice club’s stadium is a hidden gem, the kits are pure style personified and they even sell swimsuits, not to mention the club hasn’t been shy about signing Americans.