Goal.com season preview Adam Scime
Bari
Coach: Giampero Ventura
Star men: Paulo Vito Barreto, Sergio Almiron
Last season: 10th
Season expectations: Low mid-table
Ins: Almiron (Juventus), Caputo (Salernitana), Ghezzal (Siena), Pulzetti (Livorno), Raggi (Palermo), Romero (Udinese), Padelli (Sampdoria)
Outs: Bonucci (Juventus), Bonvissusto (Ascoli), Carobbio (Siena), Diamoutene (Lecce), Kamatà (Siena), Ranocchia (Genoa)
Bari built their fantastic start to last season on defence, but have lost their star central back-line pairing of Andrea Ranocchia and Leonardo Bonucci to large bids from bigger sides. Whether the Galletti can adapt remains to be seen, perhaps a repeat of last season’s success may be too much to ask – but avoiding relegation should still be fairly easy for the southern Italians. Holding on to Barreto and Almiron ensures the offence will not suffer.
Bologna
Coach: Franco Colomba
Star men: Marco Di Vaio, Emiliano Viviano
Last season: 17th
Season expectations: Survival
Ins: Esposito (Genoa), Meggiorini (Genoa), Paponi (Parma), Krhin (Inter), Garics (Atalanta), Gavilan (Real Betis), Ekdal (Juventus)
Outs: Guana (Palermo), Savio (Munich 1860)
The Rossoblu have based their transfer campaign on young talents like Rene Khrin, Manu Gavilan, Andrea Esposito, and Albin Ekdal. Should they take the responsibility thrust upon them then Bologna could be an exciting team to watch, however another year fighting to avoid relegation is expected.
Brescia
Coach: Giuseppe Iachini
Star men: Davide Possanzini, Andrea Carraciolo
Last season: Serie B
Season expectations: Survival
Ins: Sereni (Torino), Ignacio (River Plate)
Outs: None
Roberto Baggio ended his career with Brescia in 2004 and they haven’t seen any of the same success since the divine ponytail’s departure from the Stadio Rigamonti. Having finally gotten back into Serie A, experienced coach Giuseppe Iachini will have a tough task ahead of him as they have done little on the transfer market to add quality to their side thus far.
Cagliari
Coach: Pierpoalo Bisoli
Star men: Andrea Cossu, Alessandro Matri
Last season: 16th
Season expectations: Mid-table
Ins: Martignoni (Locarno), Pinardi (Modena)
Outs: Dessena (Sampdoria), Lupatelli (out of contract), Marzoratti (Empoli)
Cagliari enjoyed a mid-table position in Serie A for most of last season, comfortably avoiding relegation despite their eventual fall at the end of the campaign as coach Massimiliano Allegri made his exit. Robert Acquafresca’s move from Genoa is not official just yet, but he is expected to return to the club where he enjoyed two prolific seasons, but with or without him they have the talent to once again keep themselves safe in Serie A.
Catania
Coach: Marco Giampaolo
Star men: Maxi Lopez, Giuseppe Mascara
Last season: 13th
Season expectations: Low mid-table
Ins: Antenucci (Ascoli), Pesce (Ascoli), Gomez (San Lorenzo)
Outs: Dica (Manisaspor), Martinez (Juventus), Moretti (Ascoli)
The Sicilians may not be as successful as their neighbours Palermo, but have plenty of players at their disposal who can get the job done. Maxi Lopez was electric in a half-season, bagging 11 goals, Giuseppe Mascara is known for his mouth-watering highlight-reel strikes, and Marco Biagianti never gives up in midfield. A repeat of last season would likely please the fans and could very well be on the cards.
Cesena
Coach: Massimo Ficcadenti
Star men: Stephen Appiah, Ezequiel Schelotto
Last season: Serie B
Season expectations: Survival
Ins: Caserta (Atalanta), Pellegrino (Atalanta), Von Bergen (free transfer), Appiah (free transfer), Tachtsidis (AEK Athens)
Outs: Bucchi (Napoli), Franceschini (out of contract), Volta (Sampdoria)
Cesena were last in Serie A in 1991 and will hope that their return, nearly 20 years later, is not just a short stint. They have taken a chance on oft-injured Ghana star Stephen Appiah and added the experience of midfielder Fabio Caserta. They are one of the true question marks ahead of the 2010-11 campaign, but have up-and-coming Italy Under-21 winger Ezequiel Schelotto, who may well attract attention from bigger clubs if the Seahorses have success.
Chievo
Coach: Stefano Pioli
Star men: Luciano, Sergio Pellissier
Last season: 14th
Season expectations: Mid-table
Ins: Bucchi (Napoli), Franceschini (free transfer), Volta (Sampdoria)
Outs: Evangelisti (Sambenedettese), Yepes (Milan)
The Flying Donkeys have lost two pivotal pieces to last year’s exploits in centre-back Mario Yepes and coach Domenico Di Carlo, but a majority of the team remains intact from the past few years. It should be another fairly relaxed year for the outfit from Verona.
Fiorentina
Coach: Sinisa Mihajlovic
Star men: Alberto Gilardino, Sebastien Frey
Last season: 11th
Season expectations: Europe
Ins: D'Agostino (Udinese), Boruc (Celtic)
Outs: Di Carmine (Frosinone)
The Viola didn’t manage to qualify for Europe last season, but to their credit managed to keep all their top players in the offseason, as well as add the depth of Gaetano D’Agostino and Artur Boruc. However, the absence of Adrian Mutu (suspended until the end of October) and Stevan Jovetic (injured for a majority of the season) means that the scoring burden will be even more on striker Alberto Gilardino.
Genoa
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini
Star men: Eduardo, Luca Toni
Last season: 9th
Season expectations: Europe
Ins: Diego Angelo (Nacional); Esposito (Livorno), Eduardo (Sporting Braga) Ranocchia (Bari), Rudolf (Debrecen), Toni (Bayern Munich), Strasser (Milan), Zigoni (Milan), Oduamadi (Milan), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Rafinha (Schalke 04), Zuculini (Hoffenheim)
Outs: Aleksic (Crotone), Amelia (Milan), Bolzoni (Siena), Esposito (Bologna), Ledesma (Crotone), Meggiorini (Bologna), Papastathopoulos (Milan)
Genoa president Enrico Preziosi has never hid his ambition and this summer is no different. Some high-profile signings have arrived in Eduardo, Luca Toni, Rafinha, and Miguel Veloso. As well as young stars Andrea Ranocchia and Franco Zuculini. If the Grifoni can gel they should indeed be a prospect to be reckoned with this coming season and a strong contender for European places.
Inter
Coach: Rafael Benitez
Star men: Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito
Last season: Champions
Season expectations: Scudetto
Ins: Biabiany (Parma), Castellazzi (Sampdoria), Coutinho (Vasco da Gama), Faraoni (Lazio), Serrano (Astor), Burdisso (Roma)
Outs: Arnautovic (Werder Bremen), Donati (Lecce), Quaresma (Besiktas), Toldo (retired), Krhin (Bologna), Balotelli (Man City)
‘The Special One’ may have left after leading Inter to the treble, but another established name in Rafael Benitez comes in to lead the way for the Nerazzurri, who have a treble to defend. Inter boast one of the strongest sides on the globe with Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto’o, Maicon, and relentless Javier Zanetti in their ranks in a star-studded line-up. Only time will tell if they are able to continue their domestic dominance in their search for a sixth consecutive Scudetto. Starlet Mario Balotelli’s disciplinary issues are no more, as he left for Eastlands, but will the Nerazzurri miss his explosive talent?
Wesley Sneijder was voted the top star of 2009-10 in the Goal.com 50
Juventus
Coach: Luigi Del Neri
Last season: 7th
Season expectations: Scudetto
Star men: Giorgio Chiellini, Gianluigi Buffon
Ins: Bonucci (Bari), Lanzafame (Parma), Martinez (Catania), Motta (Udinese), Pepe (Udinese), Storari (Milan), Krasic (CSKA Moscow)
Outs: Almiron (Bari), Cannavaro (Al Ahli), Chimenti, (out of contract), Caceres (Barcelona), Immobile (Siena), Marrone (Siena), Molinaro (Stuttgart), Yago (Villarreal), Giovinco (Parma), Poulsen (Liverpool), Ekdal (Bologna)
The Turin-based giants had one of their worst season in history, finishing seventh place and being embarrassed in both the Champions and Europa League. Much more is expected this season with the title the initial goal, but it still may be too tough a task for a side that seem to be missing something up front. Veteran Fabio Cannavaro leaves the defence and is replaced by youngster Leonardo Bonucci as well as Marco Motta, but reports indicate more moves will be made on the transfer market before summer’s end as sporting director Giuseppe Marotta and new coach Gigi Del Neri look to construct a title-challenger.
Lazio
Coach: Edy Reja
Star men: Mauro Zarate, Hernanes
Last season: 12th
Season expectations: High mid-table
Ins: Bresciano (Palermo), Cinelli (Lumezzane), Gonzalez (Nacional Montevideo), Pintos (San Lorenzo), Kozak (Brescia), Mendicino (Crotone), Garrido (Manchester City), Hernanes (Sao Paulo)
Outs: Carrizo (River Plate), Faraoni (Inter), Hitzlsperger (West Ham), Makinwa (Larissa), Kolarov (Manchester City)
Lazio are a far cry from the team that won the Scudetto in 2001 as Claudio Lotito's financially responsible reign continues. Star left-back Aleksandar Kolarov was another ‘victim’ of Manchester City’s spending spree, but Hernanes has been brought in to bolster the centre of the pitch. If Mauro Zarate can play to his potential rather than sulk, then there is hope for a European place after last year’s dismal campaign.
Lecce
Coach: Luigi De Canio
Star men: Daniele Corvia, Guillermo Giacomazzi
Last season: Serie B
Season expectations: Survival
Ins: Diamoutene (Bari), Donati (Inter), Olivera (Penarol), Reginiussen (Schalke 04), Piatti (Independiente), Chevanton (Sevilla)
Outs: Angelo (out of contract), Cacia (Piacenza), Marilungo (Sampdoria), Trazzi (Chievo)
Back from Serie B, Lecce are considered one of the contenders to drop back down to the second tier. Survival will be the name of the game for the colourful southerners, who will rely on players such as former Juventus winger Ruben Olivera to give them the boost in quality. Luigi De Canio will attempt to get the best out of a fairly thin squad.
Milan
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri
Star Men: Ronaldinho, Alessandro Nesta
Last season: 3rd
Season expectations: Champions League qualification
Ins: Amelia (Genoa), Diniz (Livorno), Legati (Crotone), Yepes (Chievo), Papastathopoulos (Genoa)
Outs: Darmian (Palermo), Diniz (Parma), Favalli (out of contract), Storari (Juventus), Strasser (Genoa), Zigoni (Genoa), Oduamadi (Genoa)
The Rossoneri have not won the Scudetto since 2004, and after a lacklustre transfer campaign and with a fairly aging squad, there remains little hope they can overcome the cream of the crop this season. Massimiliano Allegri will have his first taste of coaching one of the elite at 43. If Alexandre Pato stays injury-free there is always hope for the fans, who to their eternal credit never give up and have seen their squad pull off miracles in both Serie A and Europe before.
Milan's hopes could rest on the fitness of star striker Alexandre Pato
Napoli
Coach: Walter Mazzarri
Star men: Marek Hamsik, Fabio Quagliarella
Last season: 6th
Expectations: Europe
Ins: Cavani (Palermo), Lucarelli (Parma)
Outs: Contini (Real Zaragoza), Datolo (Espanyol), Cigarini (Sevilla)
Ending a respectable sixth last season and qualifying for the Europa League, Napoli have plenty to build on. They also potentially added the centre-forward they were missing last season by prising Uruguayan international Edinson Cavani from Palermo. Some believe that Champions League qualification is finally in reach for the Partenopei this season with Walter Mazzarri staying at the reins from the start of 2010-11.
Palermo
Coach: Delio Rossi
Star men: Fabrizio Miccoli, Javier Pastore
Last season: 5th
Expectations: Europe
Ins: Darmian (Milan), Glik (Piast Gliwice), Garcia (Rosario Central), Guana (Bologna), Kasami (Bellinzona), Maccarone (Siena), Pinilla (Grosseto), Munoz (Boca Juniors)
Outs: Bresciano (Lazio), Cavani (Napoli), Giovio (Grosseto), Kjaer (Wolfsburg), Raggi (Bari), Simplicio (Roma), Bertolo (Real Zaragoza)
The Rosanero will have a tough act to follow, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification, they have sold two stars in Simon Kjaer and Edinson Cavani, but Abel Hernandez and the acquired Ezequiel Munoz are both young and eager to fill in those roles. Delio Rossi no doubt has an exciting team at his disposal, but can they obtain the consistency necessary to finish near the top?
Parma
Coach: Pasquale Marino
Star men: Sebastian Giovinco, Valeri Bojinov
Last season: 8th
Expectations: High Mid-table
Ins: Armero (Palmeiras), Bojinov (Manchester City), Diniz (Milan), Paletta (Boca Juniors), Paonessa (Vicenza), Paponi (Perugia), Portin (Ascoli), Rispoli (Brescia), Pisano (Torino), Giovinco (Juventus)
Outs: Biabiany (Inter), Jimenez (Ternana), Lanzafame (Juventus), Mihajlovic (Bellinzona), Paponi (Bologna)
The Gialloblu flew out of the gates last season up from Serie B and never looked back, finishing in the top half of the table and in the running for a European place for a large portion of the season. The addition of diminutive Sebastian Giovinco has the fans' mouths watering, as the playmaker has more than a few tricks up his sleeve.
Roma
Coach: Claudio Ranieri
Star players: Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi
Last season: 2nd
Season expectations: Scudetto
Ins: Adriano (Flamengo), Barusso (Rimini), Cicinho (Sao Paulo), Loria (Torino), Rosi (Siena), Simplicio (Palermo), G Burdisso (Rosario Central)
Outs: Motta (Udinese), Toni (Bayern Munich), Burdisso (Inter)
Roma once again were second best to Inter last season, but they will look to take advantage of any early slip-ups by the Nerazzurri after strengthening their squad with the notable additions of Brazilians Adriano and Fabio Simplicio. If Francesco Totti and co. can stay healthy than there is every chance of a Scudetto run once again, but can they and Claudio Ranieri finally overcome the ‘runners-up’ tag.
Sampdoria
Coach: Domenico Di Carlo
Star players: Antonio Cassano, Angelo Palombo
Last season: 4th
Season expectations: Europe
Ins: Curci (Siena), Volta (Cesena), Zauri (Lazio), Guberti (Roma)
Outs: Castellazzi (Inter), Storari (Milan), Padelli (Bari)
Antonio Cassano was brilliant in 2009-10 and helped Sampdoria to fourth-place and the Champions League qualifying rounds. More will be asked of them this season as they compete on the European front, Gianluca Curci replaces Marco Storari in goal, but holding on to Giampaolo Pazzini and Angelo Palombo means that all the star players stayed at the Marassi and that success is still possible for the Blucerchiati.
Udinese
Coach: Francesco Guidolin
Star players: Antonio Di Natale, Alexis Sanchez
Last season: 15th
Season expectations: Mid-table
Ins: Karagounis (Atromitos), Muriel (Deportivo Cali), Surraco (Ancona), Vydra (Barik Ostrava)
Outs: D'Agostino (Fiorentina), Lodi (Empoli), Motta (Juventus), Romero (Bari), Pepe (Juventus), Lukovic (Zenit), Obodo (Torino)
Udinese surprisingly were involved in the relegation battle last season, but the fantastic form of Capocannoniere Antonio Di Natale (29 goals) was enough in the end to keep them afloat. Influential players like Simone Pepe and Gateano D’Agostino are out the door, but Chilean World Cup 2010 star Alexis Sanchez is still at the Stadio Friuli and that is definitely something for the fans to cheer about. A more comfortable season will be appreciated this time around.
Bari
Coach: Giampero Ventura
Star men: Paulo Vito Barreto, Sergio Almiron
Last season: 10th
Season expectations: Low mid-table
Ins: Almiron (Juventus), Caputo (Salernitana), Ghezzal (Siena), Pulzetti (Livorno), Raggi (Palermo), Romero (Udinese), Padelli (Sampdoria)
Outs: Bonucci (Juventus), Bonvissusto (Ascoli), Carobbio (Siena), Diamoutene (Lecce), Kamatà (Siena), Ranocchia (Genoa)
Bari built their fantastic start to last season on defence, but have lost their star central back-line pairing of Andrea Ranocchia and Leonardo Bonucci to large bids from bigger sides. Whether the Galletti can adapt remains to be seen, perhaps a repeat of last season’s success may be too much to ask – but avoiding relegation should still be fairly easy for the southern Italians. Holding on to Barreto and Almiron ensures the offence will not suffer.
Bologna
Coach: Franco Colomba
Star men: Marco Di Vaio, Emiliano Viviano
Last season: 17th
Season expectations: Survival
Ins: Esposito (Genoa), Meggiorini (Genoa), Paponi (Parma), Krhin (Inter), Garics (Atalanta), Gavilan (Real Betis), Ekdal (Juventus)
Outs: Guana (Palermo), Savio (Munich 1860)
The Rossoblu have based their transfer campaign on young talents like Rene Khrin, Manu Gavilan, Andrea Esposito, and Albin Ekdal. Should they take the responsibility thrust upon them then Bologna could be an exciting team to watch, however another year fighting to avoid relegation is expected.
Brescia
Coach: Giuseppe Iachini
Star men: Davide Possanzini, Andrea Carraciolo
Last season: Serie B
Season expectations: Survival
Ins: Sereni (Torino), Ignacio (River Plate)
Outs: None
Roberto Baggio ended his career with Brescia in 2004 and they haven’t seen any of the same success since the divine ponytail’s departure from the Stadio Rigamonti. Having finally gotten back into Serie A, experienced coach Giuseppe Iachini will have a tough task ahead of him as they have done little on the transfer market to add quality to their side thus far.
Cagliari
Coach: Pierpoalo Bisoli
Star men: Andrea Cossu, Alessandro Matri
Last season: 16th
Season expectations: Mid-table
Ins: Martignoni (Locarno), Pinardi (Modena)
Outs: Dessena (Sampdoria), Lupatelli (out of contract), Marzoratti (Empoli)
Cagliari enjoyed a mid-table position in Serie A for most of last season, comfortably avoiding relegation despite their eventual fall at the end of the campaign as coach Massimiliano Allegri made his exit. Robert Acquafresca’s move from Genoa is not official just yet, but he is expected to return to the club where he enjoyed two prolific seasons, but with or without him they have the talent to once again keep themselves safe in Serie A.
Catania
Coach: Marco Giampaolo
Star men: Maxi Lopez, Giuseppe Mascara
Last season: 13th
Season expectations: Low mid-table
Ins: Antenucci (Ascoli), Pesce (Ascoli), Gomez (San Lorenzo)
Outs: Dica (Manisaspor), Martinez (Juventus), Moretti (Ascoli)
The Sicilians may not be as successful as their neighbours Palermo, but have plenty of players at their disposal who can get the job done. Maxi Lopez was electric in a half-season, bagging 11 goals, Giuseppe Mascara is known for his mouth-watering highlight-reel strikes, and Marco Biagianti never gives up in midfield. A repeat of last season would likely please the fans and could very well be on the cards.
Cesena
Coach: Massimo Ficcadenti
Star men: Stephen Appiah, Ezequiel Schelotto
Last season: Serie B
Season expectations: Survival
Ins: Caserta (Atalanta), Pellegrino (Atalanta), Von Bergen (free transfer), Appiah (free transfer), Tachtsidis (AEK Athens)
Outs: Bucchi (Napoli), Franceschini (out of contract), Volta (Sampdoria)
Cesena were last in Serie A in 1991 and will hope that their return, nearly 20 years later, is not just a short stint. They have taken a chance on oft-injured Ghana star Stephen Appiah and added the experience of midfielder Fabio Caserta. They are one of the true question marks ahead of the 2010-11 campaign, but have up-and-coming Italy Under-21 winger Ezequiel Schelotto, who may well attract attention from bigger clubs if the Seahorses have success.
Chievo
Coach: Stefano Pioli
Star men: Luciano, Sergio Pellissier
Last season: 14th
Season expectations: Mid-table
Ins: Bucchi (Napoli), Franceschini (free transfer), Volta (Sampdoria)
Outs: Evangelisti (Sambenedettese), Yepes (Milan)
The Flying Donkeys have lost two pivotal pieces to last year’s exploits in centre-back Mario Yepes and coach Domenico Di Carlo, but a majority of the team remains intact from the past few years. It should be another fairly relaxed year for the outfit from Verona.
Fiorentina
Coach: Sinisa Mihajlovic
Star men: Alberto Gilardino, Sebastien Frey
Last season: 11th
Season expectations: Europe
Ins: D'Agostino (Udinese), Boruc (Celtic)
Outs: Di Carmine (Frosinone)
The Viola didn’t manage to qualify for Europe last season, but to their credit managed to keep all their top players in the offseason, as well as add the depth of Gaetano D’Agostino and Artur Boruc. However, the absence of Adrian Mutu (suspended until the end of October) and Stevan Jovetic (injured for a majority of the season) means that the scoring burden will be even more on striker Alberto Gilardino.
Genoa
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini
Star men: Eduardo, Luca Toni
Last season: 9th
Season expectations: Europe
Ins: Diego Angelo (Nacional); Esposito (Livorno), Eduardo (Sporting Braga) Ranocchia (Bari), Rudolf (Debrecen), Toni (Bayern Munich), Strasser (Milan), Zigoni (Milan), Oduamadi (Milan), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Rafinha (Schalke 04), Zuculini (Hoffenheim)
Outs: Aleksic (Crotone), Amelia (Milan), Bolzoni (Siena), Esposito (Bologna), Ledesma (Crotone), Meggiorini (Bologna), Papastathopoulos (Milan)
Genoa president Enrico Preziosi has never hid his ambition and this summer is no different. Some high-profile signings have arrived in Eduardo, Luca Toni, Rafinha, and Miguel Veloso. As well as young stars Andrea Ranocchia and Franco Zuculini. If the Grifoni can gel they should indeed be a prospect to be reckoned with this coming season and a strong contender for European places.
Inter
Coach: Rafael Benitez
Star men: Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito
Last season: Champions
Season expectations: Scudetto
Ins: Biabiany (Parma), Castellazzi (Sampdoria), Coutinho (Vasco da Gama), Faraoni (Lazio), Serrano (Astor), Burdisso (Roma)
Outs: Arnautovic (Werder Bremen), Donati (Lecce), Quaresma (Besiktas), Toldo (retired), Krhin (Bologna), Balotelli (Man City)
‘The Special One’ may have left after leading Inter to the treble, but another established name in Rafael Benitez comes in to lead the way for the Nerazzurri, who have a treble to defend. Inter boast one of the strongest sides on the globe with Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto’o, Maicon, and relentless Javier Zanetti in their ranks in a star-studded line-up. Only time will tell if they are able to continue their domestic dominance in their search for a sixth consecutive Scudetto. Starlet Mario Balotelli’s disciplinary issues are no more, as he left for Eastlands, but will the Nerazzurri miss his explosive talent?
Wesley Sneijder was voted the top star of 2009-10 in the Goal.com 50
Juventus
Coach: Luigi Del Neri
Last season: 7th
Season expectations: Scudetto
Star men: Giorgio Chiellini, Gianluigi Buffon
Ins: Bonucci (Bari), Lanzafame (Parma), Martinez (Catania), Motta (Udinese), Pepe (Udinese), Storari (Milan), Krasic (CSKA Moscow)
Outs: Almiron (Bari), Cannavaro (Al Ahli), Chimenti, (out of contract), Caceres (Barcelona), Immobile (Siena), Marrone (Siena), Molinaro (Stuttgart), Yago (Villarreal), Giovinco (Parma), Poulsen (Liverpool), Ekdal (Bologna)
The Turin-based giants had one of their worst season in history, finishing seventh place and being embarrassed in both the Champions and Europa League. Much more is expected this season with the title the initial goal, but it still may be too tough a task for a side that seem to be missing something up front. Veteran Fabio Cannavaro leaves the defence and is replaced by youngster Leonardo Bonucci as well as Marco Motta, but reports indicate more moves will be made on the transfer market before summer’s end as sporting director Giuseppe Marotta and new coach Gigi Del Neri look to construct a title-challenger.
Lazio
Coach: Edy Reja
Star men: Mauro Zarate, Hernanes
Last season: 12th
Season expectations: High mid-table
Ins: Bresciano (Palermo), Cinelli (Lumezzane), Gonzalez (Nacional Montevideo), Pintos (San Lorenzo), Kozak (Brescia), Mendicino (Crotone), Garrido (Manchester City), Hernanes (Sao Paulo)
Outs: Carrizo (River Plate), Faraoni (Inter), Hitzlsperger (West Ham), Makinwa (Larissa), Kolarov (Manchester City)
Lazio are a far cry from the team that won the Scudetto in 2001 as Claudio Lotito's financially responsible reign continues. Star left-back Aleksandar Kolarov was another ‘victim’ of Manchester City’s spending spree, but Hernanes has been brought in to bolster the centre of the pitch. If Mauro Zarate can play to his potential rather than sulk, then there is hope for a European place after last year’s dismal campaign.
Lecce
Coach: Luigi De Canio
Star men: Daniele Corvia, Guillermo Giacomazzi
Last season: Serie B
Season expectations: Survival
Ins: Diamoutene (Bari), Donati (Inter), Olivera (Penarol), Reginiussen (Schalke 04), Piatti (Independiente), Chevanton (Sevilla)
Outs: Angelo (out of contract), Cacia (Piacenza), Marilungo (Sampdoria), Trazzi (Chievo)
Back from Serie B, Lecce are considered one of the contenders to drop back down to the second tier. Survival will be the name of the game for the colourful southerners, who will rely on players such as former Juventus winger Ruben Olivera to give them the boost in quality. Luigi De Canio will attempt to get the best out of a fairly thin squad.
Milan
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri
Star Men: Ronaldinho, Alessandro Nesta
Last season: 3rd
Season expectations: Champions League qualification
Ins: Amelia (Genoa), Diniz (Livorno), Legati (Crotone), Yepes (Chievo), Papastathopoulos (Genoa)
Outs: Darmian (Palermo), Diniz (Parma), Favalli (out of contract), Storari (Juventus), Strasser (Genoa), Zigoni (Genoa), Oduamadi (Genoa)
The Rossoneri have not won the Scudetto since 2004, and after a lacklustre transfer campaign and with a fairly aging squad, there remains little hope they can overcome the cream of the crop this season. Massimiliano Allegri will have his first taste of coaching one of the elite at 43. If Alexandre Pato stays injury-free there is always hope for the fans, who to their eternal credit never give up and have seen their squad pull off miracles in both Serie A and Europe before.
Milan's hopes could rest on the fitness of star striker Alexandre Pato
Napoli
Coach: Walter Mazzarri
Star men: Marek Hamsik, Fabio Quagliarella
Last season: 6th
Expectations: Europe
Ins: Cavani (Palermo), Lucarelli (Parma)
Outs: Contini (Real Zaragoza), Datolo (Espanyol), Cigarini (Sevilla)
Ending a respectable sixth last season and qualifying for the Europa League, Napoli have plenty to build on. They also potentially added the centre-forward they were missing last season by prising Uruguayan international Edinson Cavani from Palermo. Some believe that Champions League qualification is finally in reach for the Partenopei this season with Walter Mazzarri staying at the reins from the start of 2010-11.
Palermo
Coach: Delio Rossi
Star men: Fabrizio Miccoli, Javier Pastore
Last season: 5th
Expectations: Europe
Ins: Darmian (Milan), Glik (Piast Gliwice), Garcia (Rosario Central), Guana (Bologna), Kasami (Bellinzona), Maccarone (Siena), Pinilla (Grosseto), Munoz (Boca Juniors)
Outs: Bresciano (Lazio), Cavani (Napoli), Giovio (Grosseto), Kjaer (Wolfsburg), Raggi (Bari), Simplicio (Roma), Bertolo (Real Zaragoza)
The Rosanero will have a tough act to follow, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification, they have sold two stars in Simon Kjaer and Edinson Cavani, but Abel Hernandez and the acquired Ezequiel Munoz are both young and eager to fill in those roles. Delio Rossi no doubt has an exciting team at his disposal, but can they obtain the consistency necessary to finish near the top?
Parma
Coach: Pasquale Marino
Star men: Sebastian Giovinco, Valeri Bojinov
Last season: 8th
Expectations: High Mid-table
Ins: Armero (Palmeiras), Bojinov (Manchester City), Diniz (Milan), Paletta (Boca Juniors), Paonessa (Vicenza), Paponi (Perugia), Portin (Ascoli), Rispoli (Brescia), Pisano (Torino), Giovinco (Juventus)
Outs: Biabiany (Inter), Jimenez (Ternana), Lanzafame (Juventus), Mihajlovic (Bellinzona), Paponi (Bologna)
The Gialloblu flew out of the gates last season up from Serie B and never looked back, finishing in the top half of the table and in the running for a European place for a large portion of the season. The addition of diminutive Sebastian Giovinco has the fans' mouths watering, as the playmaker has more than a few tricks up his sleeve.
Roma
Coach: Claudio Ranieri
Star players: Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi
Last season: 2nd
Season expectations: Scudetto
Ins: Adriano (Flamengo), Barusso (Rimini), Cicinho (Sao Paulo), Loria (Torino), Rosi (Siena), Simplicio (Palermo), G Burdisso (Rosario Central)
Outs: Motta (Udinese), Toni (Bayern Munich), Burdisso (Inter)
Roma once again were second best to Inter last season, but they will look to take advantage of any early slip-ups by the Nerazzurri after strengthening their squad with the notable additions of Brazilians Adriano and Fabio Simplicio. If Francesco Totti and co. can stay healthy than there is every chance of a Scudetto run once again, but can they and Claudio Ranieri finally overcome the ‘runners-up’ tag.
Sampdoria
Coach: Domenico Di Carlo
Star players: Antonio Cassano, Angelo Palombo
Last season: 4th
Season expectations: Europe
Ins: Curci (Siena), Volta (Cesena), Zauri (Lazio), Guberti (Roma)
Outs: Castellazzi (Inter), Storari (Milan), Padelli (Bari)
Antonio Cassano was brilliant in 2009-10 and helped Sampdoria to fourth-place and the Champions League qualifying rounds. More will be asked of them this season as they compete on the European front, Gianluca Curci replaces Marco Storari in goal, but holding on to Giampaolo Pazzini and Angelo Palombo means that all the star players stayed at the Marassi and that success is still possible for the Blucerchiati.
Udinese
Coach: Francesco Guidolin
Star players: Antonio Di Natale, Alexis Sanchez
Last season: 15th
Season expectations: Mid-table
Ins: Karagounis (Atromitos), Muriel (Deportivo Cali), Surraco (Ancona), Vydra (Barik Ostrava)
Outs: D'Agostino (Fiorentina), Lodi (Empoli), Motta (Juventus), Romero (Bari), Pepe (Juventus), Lukovic (Zenit), Obodo (Torino)
Udinese surprisingly were involved in the relegation battle last season, but the fantastic form of Capocannoniere Antonio Di Natale (29 goals) was enough in the end to keep them afloat. Influential players like Simone Pepe and Gateano D’Agostino are out the door, but Chilean World Cup 2010 star Alexis Sanchez is still at the Stadio Friuli and that is definitely something for the fans to cheer about. A more comfortable season will be appreciated this time around.
Should teach me to see through the transfer window 
Krasic is playing well for Juventus.
Comment