Page 35 - Soccer360 Issue 107

THE ONES TO WATCH
Stephen Kasiewicz selects five players who are tipped to impress in Serie A during 2024-25.
ALESSANDRO BUONGIORNO - NAPOLI
The Partenopei splashed out $38m for the much sought after centre-back as part of a major defensive rebuild under new coach Antonio Conte. Known for
his speed, timing in the tackle and aerial ability, the 25-year-old has the task of shoring up a porous Napoli backline which shipped 48 goals as they struggled last term.
RAFAEL LEAO - AC MILAN
The fluctuating form of the dazzling
Portuguese winger was a cause of
disagreement among Rossoneri fans
last season, as the 2021-U2E2FASheasrie A Most come a long
Valuable Player was irresistible in some
games and invisible in others. New
coach Paulo Fonseca must bring out the
Champions
absolute best in the 25L-eyageuae rC-uopld for Milan
to become legitimate title contenders.
DOUGLAS LUIZ - JUVENTUS
Much is expected of the expensive marquee signing at Italy’s most popular club, as the Old Lady shelled out $54m to secure the Brazilian midfielder from Aston Villa, where he shone as both
a midfield enforcer and a deep-lying playmaker. How he adapts to life in Italy will be crucial as a resurgent Juve plots a title challenge under new coach Thiago Motta.
LAUTARO MARTINEZ - INTER
The reigning capocannoniere - Serie A Golden Boot winner - had the season
of his life as the Nerazzurri coasted to
a 20th Serie A title last year as his 24 goals propelled the Milan giants beyond the chasing pack into a league of their own. Inter will be hard to stop if the deadly Argentinian striker maintains his goalscoring exploits this season.
MATIAS SOULE - ROMA
Compatriot Paulo Dybala helped convince the skilful left-footed winger to join the Giallorossi after a breakout season at Frosinone. The Argentinian pair will link up with La Liga top scorer Artem Dovbyk at Stadio Olimpico in a formidable attacking triumvirate this season, and the 21-year-old appears ready to step up after scoring 11 goals and providing three assists last season.
way since
Real Madrid
won the very first
in 1955
HELLAS VERONA
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 13th place RECORD: 9-11-18
MOST GOALS: Ngonge (6)
INTERNAZIONALE
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 1st place
RECORD: 29-7-2
MOST GOALS: Martinez (24)
The Nerazzurri are clear favourites
to defend their title after coasting to
the Scudetto in a milestone year. Simone Inzaghi earned himself a new contract after the Milan giants claimed a historic 20th Serie A championship by finishing 19 points clear at the top last season, in which they left the rest of Italian top-flight trailing in their wake with an unrivalled attack and the strongest defensive record.
It is unlikely to be quite as straightforward this time around, with improvements expected from Juventus and 2023
title winners Napoli among others. Yet despite a change of ownership the champions retained all their star players
- including Golden Boot winner Lautaro Martinez and defensive leader Alessandro Bastoni - and added experienced free agents Piotr Zielinski and Mehdi Taremi to boost an already multi-talented squad.
KEY PLAYER
Lautaro Martinez
ALESSANDRO
BUONGIORNO
A complete squad overhaul in January almost cost the Gialloblu their place in the top-flight. They survived by the skin of their teeth in a dramatic end to last term, yet another summer window full of incomings and outgoings will pose a huge test for new coach Paolo Zanetti.
It promises to be another exacting campaign for a club that likes to gamble
on emerging talents. A host of relative unknowns arrived ahead of the 2024-25 edition of Serie A, including forwards Dailon Livramento from Dutch club MVV Maastricht and Colombian midfielder Daniel Mosquera. That makes Hellas Verona a difficult side to predict for the months ahead, but they could cause a few surprises if the new signings hit the ground running.
KEY PLAYER
Daniel Mosquera
Napoli
RAFAEL LEAO
AC Milan
DOUGLAS LUIZ
Juventus
Inter Milan
MATIAS SOULE
Roma
LAUTARO
MARTINEZ
DID YOU KNOW?
Since 2016, Lautauro Martinez has been in a relationship with Agustina Gandolfo. On May 27, 2023, they were married in Villa d’Este (Cernobbio) on Lake Como, Italy.
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