Former striker Aldo Serena: "We're now a second-tier tournament."

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Championship Guide: Serie A Back Underway Aldo Serena comments on it. He won it, lived it, and talked about it. “We're now a second-tier tournament. It's not a declaration of surrender, but simply an acknowledgement,” the former striker tells Foglio Sportivo. Gone are the days when he scored for four different teams. “Who performed best this summer? Napoli. Who's struggling? Inter and Juventus: they're at a standstill. What will be the surprise? Keep an eye on Roma: if Gasperini manages to overcome the physiological initial difficulties, there will be great satisfaction for everyone.” Overview ready.

We were talking about the reigning champions. "Conte is a pragmatist," Serena continues. "He knows how to come up with the right arguments to convince presidents like De Laurentiis to invest. And it's not easy. He won a Scudetto with the carefree attitude of an outsider, now he's strengthening the squad by building a second line that's also competitive for the Champions League. Usually, a winner doesn't affect the group much, but he's done it." Despite the recent uncertainty surrounding Lukaku, who's sidelined until the end of the year. "The autumn will be crucial for all the teams competing in the Champions League: they'll have a terrible, packed schedule. Understanding how they'll approach it will be crucial for the quality of the championship." In other words, if someone slips up in Europe, they could divert their energy to the weekend and escape down the table. AC Milan are also in the running: since they're not competing in the cup competition, they have what it takes to keep going until the end. The fans won't be happy with their transfer market approach, which isn't in line with the Rossoneri's history," including some excellent sales and careful spending. "The funds are thinking differently. But Allegri is a great choice. And the midfield is absolutely top-notch: Modric is a veteran, and Ricci can learn a lot from him . If anything, I see a lot of doubts in defense. Not to mention the center forward."

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As a colleague and former AC Milan forward, who would Serena like to team up with Leao and Pulisic? "More than Hojlund or anyone else, I'd see Vlahovic. I've always admired him, even though he's been a bit of a pain in the ass: he's never been able to wear it lightly. At certain clubs, certain shirts carry more weight." Aldo knows this well. "It takes a bit of healthy recklessness. Dusan has been held back, but at 25, at the peak of his physicality, he can thrive elsewhere ." Also because in Turin they continue to criticize him, even in pre-season. "The whistles are always disappointing. And being held back by that sky-high salary isn't a solution for anyone." As for the rest, what kind of Juve will it be? "A question mark: a lot will depend on a transfer market that appears to be lagging behind." Let's move on to the third big club, with which Serena won her most important Scudetto—as Serie A's top scorer in 1989. "Only the pitch will tell if Inter are still dealing with the aftermath of the last few months," from the Champions League drama to Inzaghi's departure. "It's good to have resolved the Calhanoglu issue. The Lookman idea is a good one. However, I would have gone more decisively for a young, capable defender: the Nerazzurri's defense needs strengthening, while up front they already have two promising strikers in Bonny and Pio Esposito. And if Lookman were to actually arrive—a matter that's far from certain at this point, ed.—it doesn't seem to me that Chivu's midfielders have the ideal characteristics to support a trident with Lautaro and Thuram. A thinker like Ederson would be useful. But Atalanta knows how to negotiate ."

The Ademola case speaks volumes. Will Atalanta be able to repeat itself, with Juric at the helm in Gasperini's year zero? "It's a daunting task," Serena doesn't deny. "For any successor to Gasperini, combining good football, results, and a full coffers is a masterpiece. And Atalanta has replicated it for years. In this sense, Juric has the tactical qualities consistent with the past, but perhaps I would have focused on a more attractive profile. Perhaps with his stock price falling." For example? "Thiago Motta. It would have been a great relaunch for everyone. But in Bergamo, they know what they're doing: in football, it's increasingly the good and competent people who make the difference." Like Giovanni Sartori, who after Atalanta made Bologna great. "He's been a national benchmark for some time. And paradoxically, his skills are all-encompassing: it's difficult for a young sporting director to emerge these days. We need more players like him to help the movement grow ."

Let's stick with the big names: Ranieri. "He's managed to reconnect with a difficult but unique crowd. Gasperini will have to work on a team full of lactic acid, but without pressure, he'll go far. And above all, he can make incredible use of Soulé. But the management must make an effort in attack." What do you mean? "Ferguson alone isn't enough, he lacks a connection with Dovbyk: Gasperini wants players with guts, ready to give 110 percent. Krstovic would have been perfect ." The others on the European train? "Lazio are still relying on Sarri, with a frozen squad: it's difficult to renew in a situation like this." And speaking of returns: "It will be a good year for Fiorentina. The coach is an old roommate of mine from my time at Juve, I respect him a lot and he knows the environment: with Pioli, they can bring home a trophy."

A quick look at the mid-table outsiders, two of Serena's former teams. "The fans at Torino are perpetually disappointed, but this year things have changed a lot: while waiting for Zapata, Simeone will be a point of reference." And Como? "There's a truly innovative idea here. From the technical project to the extensive planning—even free entry to the stands is a fascinating proposition. You can sense a different way to find economic balance, alongside the growth of the football team and that of the city. The exact opposite of those who only think about balancing the budget. So there's room for all this in Italy. But it takes courage. Even among the smaller clubs: Parma's decision to rely on a thirty-year-old coach to replace Chivu deserves attention." And trying to compete with giants like the Premier League would be a losing battle. " We're going through a difficult period, as an Italian club and as a football system. However, we have some virtuous clubs , who have adapted to the rules of the game and found the formula to pursue." Or rather? "Focus on young players, generate real capital gains, and reinvest in youth teams. Times have changed." Serie A too.

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