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Serie A
Teams: Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Inter
Performance in 2017-2018:
While Juventus have made it to two of the last 4 Champions League finals, it was AS Roma who surprised everyone by defeating Barcelona in the quarterfinals and made it to the last 4. The race between Juventus and Napoli went down to the wire for Serie A title last season, but it was in the Champions League that both of them disappointed.
Juventus had to come second place behind Barcelona and even though they did overcome Tottenham in the round of 16, a sublime performance from Ronaldo in the first leg and a last minute penalty handed Real Madrid victory in the quarterfinals.
Napoli, under Mauricio Sarri, did play beautiful football, but it was not enough to go past the group stage. Even in Europa League, they could not progress past the Round of 32 as the squad clearly could not handle the pressure of multiple competitions.
Inter Milan are making a return to the tournament and are much fiercer with the additions of Nainggolan, Lautaro Martinez, Sime Vrsaljko and Keita Balde. They had a strong start to the season but a collapse mid-way saw them having to defeat Lazio on the final day to secure Champions League football.
Predictions for 2018-2019:
The tormentor for Juventus in the earlier seasons has now joined them. Juventus would be looking for Champions League glory with the addition of Ronaldo to the already fearsome attack of Dybala, Douglas Costa and Mario Mandzukic. With even greater squad depth than the previous season, they should be looking at least a last 4 spot; however, anything other than ultimate glory would seem to be a downer for them.
Napoli look more balanced under Carlo Ancelotti's Champions League pedigree but having been handed the group of death with PSG and Liverpool, the chances this season do look bleak. With Ancelotti looking to rebuild the squad, this season could again see them go back to Europa League.
AS Roma, last season's giant killers have lost a few mainstays with Alisson leaving for Liverpool and Nainggolan departing for rivals Inter; but the arrivals of Pastore and Kluivert should be enough to go past CSKA and Plzen into the Round of 16.
The fourth Italian team, Inter Milan are nowhere near the might of Mourinho's Inter of 2010, but with quality players such as Icardi and Perisic and the new summer signings will be dark horses in their group containing Barcelona, Tottenham and PSV Eindhoven.
