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#3 Inter Milan (Serie A)
As far as defending champions go, Inter Milan have done a good job thus far. After ending Juventus' dominance last season, they've got their 2021-22 campaign off to a bright start, with five wins from seven games.
They lost some of the key pillars of their Scudetto triumph, such as Romelu Lukaku, Achraf Hakimi and manager Antonio Conte. All of them left the club in the summer. But the Nerazzurri have fared well, remaining unbeaten in the league thus far.
Part of their brilliant run is down to shrewd acquisitions like Edin Dzeko, Hakan Calhanoglu and Joaquin Correa to bolster their attack. New manager Simone Inzaghi has also been tactically astute, retaining his predecessor's approach while maintaining a strong team unity.
With 17 points in the bag, Inter Milan are only behind table-toppers Napoli and AC Milan in the Serie A table. This is the longest Inter have gone without a defeat since the start of a league campaign since 2017-18 season, when they went 16 games unbeaten.
#2 AC Milan (Serie A)
Inter Milan's title victory last season ended Juventus' near-decade-long Serie A dominance. The 2021-22 campaign seems to be more competitive, with AC Milan also off to a flyer along with the Nerazzurri.
Continuing from where they left off in May, the Rossoneri have been among the most impressive teams in the division. They have won six of their opening seven league games. They are in second place in the league standings.
Having accumulated 19 points thus far, it's Milan's best start to a domestic campaign since 2003-04, when they went on to win the Scudetto.
It's also the second consecutive year Milan have gone without defeat in their opening seven league game. Their streak ended at 16 last season. Milan would hope for a longer one this campaign.
#1 Napoli (Serie A)
One team that has quietly impressed the most and surpassed expectations is Napoli, who've won all their seven league games this season.
PSG were on an eight-game winning run in Ligue 1. But defeat to Rennes on Sunday ended their run. That leaves the Partenopei as the only side in Europe's top five leagues with a 100% record.
Spearheaded by the peerless Victor Osimhen, Napoli are in red-hot form right now. They've taken apart every side on their way, including Juventus, whom they beat 2-1 on matchday two.
With Gennaro Gattuso leaving after failing to take Napoli to the Champions League, Luciano Spaletti has come in to steer the team back to the competition. Thus far, he has made a fabulous start.
The Naples outfit have not only been menacing in attack, but have also been solid in defence, conceding only three goals. It's the fewest in Serie A and the joint-lowest in Europe's major leagues; Chelsea, Manchester City and Villarreal have also conceded thrice.
