If Carletto wins the double, then I don't think there will be too much competition.

Best mid-fielder? Pirlo? As much as I'd like that...it won't make a difference to me if he doesn't win it or not. I love him too much. I hope at the end of the season, the best mid-fielder is one of Flamini or R80. It would mean we did a few things right.

Sheva for golden boot. Now that, would be poetic...

Kaladze for me. But what would be really cool, is to have Darmian win it.

Hey c'mon be serious. Digao is no longer in Serie A.

No, sounds good to me too. Mostly. I just don't buy the Golden Boot, Best Youngster, Reggina relegated, Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year shtick. There are far too many better alternatives than the ones chosen. Of course, I've been wrong before, and I may be wrong again. So let's wait and see.

Scudetto Winners: Milan

They bought me after that: I don't care about the rest

Serie A: 2008-09 club-by-club

After a summer of frenzied activity, the new Serie A season is about to begin. Paul Watson gives the lowdown on the runners and riders

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ATALANTA
Coach: Luigi Del Neri - A no-nonsense disciplinarian who did a solid job last term and has the knack of making the most out of scant resources.
Last season: 9th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Luca Cigarini - An Azzurrini midfielder produced in the Parma youth system who could provide a crucial injection of flair.
Pre-season: A long string of friendly wins over amateur opposition, but they weren't really tested and the arrival of Christian Vieri angered the fans.
Forecast: Mid-table awaits

BOLOGNA
Coach: Daniele Arrigoni - The 48-year-old tactician impressed at Cagliari in 2004-05, but is still relatively unproven at the highest level.
Last season: 2nd in Serie B
Signing of the summer: Marco Di Vaio - The former Azzurri hitman has gone off the rails over the last couple of years but he has a predator's eye.
Pre-season: The Felsinei earned an impressive draw with AEK Athens and saw off lower League sides with ease while doing just about enough in the market.
Forecast: The Emilia-Romagna outfit should expect a dogfight.

CAGLIARI
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri - A promising young boss but he faces a steep learning curve in his first Serie A season.
Last season: 14th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Robert Acquafresca - It was shrewd to bring the talented striker back for another season on loan. He should hit double figures.
Pre-season: Apart from a poor trip to Portugal, results have been encouraging but there has been a notable lack of investment.
Forecast: The arrival of an inexperienced tactician and a lack of summer spending could lead to a bleak campaign.

CATANIA
Coach: Walter Zenga - The former Inter goalkeeper arrived late last season and guided the Elefanti to a dramatic final-day escape.
Last season: 17th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Pablo Ledesma- An Argentine international midfielder who played over 100 games for Boca Juniors.
Pre-season: The Rossazzurri managed a confidence-boosting string of 10 wins.
Forecast: Zenga will look to lead his men away from the dogfight but the fight for survival could go to the wire again.

CHIEVO
Coach: Beppe Iachini - A novice at the highest level, but he assembled the superb Piacenza side of 2006-07 before leading Chievo to the Serie B title.
Last season: 1st in Serie B
Signing of the summer: Pablo Granoche - The unheralded Uruguayan predator blasted 24 goals for a dull Triestina side last term and could thrive with better service.
Pre-season: The Flying Donkeys started the summer well, beating QPR too, and a flurry of late signings may help but a Coppa Italia exit against Padova was worrying.
Forecast: The Veronese minnows have no shortage of experience in relegation battles and will need to fight tooth and nail once again to stay up.

FIORENTINA
Coach: Cesare Prandelli - Regarded by many as the greatest Coach in Italian football, the loveable former Parma man has built a top-four side from scratch.
Last season: 4th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Alberto Gilardino - He may have struggled horribly at Milan, but Gila is back in the Italy squad and ready for a renaissance.
Pre-season: The Tuscans disappointed in their friendly against Barcelona, but they signed astutely and crucially kept hold of Adrian Mutu.
Forecast: The Gigliati can equal last term's fourth place, but to do any more is a huge ask as they look to juggle a European campaign.

GENOA
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini - A quiet man of calcio, Gasperini gets on with his work and has led the Grifone back from Serie C with minimal fuss.
Last season: 10th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Ruben Olivera - The former Juventus midfielder has been electrifying in pre-season and has already become a cult figure at Marassi.
Pre-season: Some impressive victories have lifted the fans, while Raffaele Palladino fills the hole left by Marco Borriello.
Forecast: The Rossoblu will push for a UEFA Cup place and won't fall far short.

INTER
Coach: Jose Mourinho - All eyes are on the Special One. The Portuguese mastermind is no stranger to pressure but has no room for error in his Serie A debut.
Last season: 1st in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Amantino Mancini - One of the stars of Roma's Scudetto bid last term, the Brazilian wizard is a vital injection of flair.
Pre-season: Despite a defensive crisis, Jose managed to deliver wins over Benfica, Bayern Munich and Ajax as well as the Italian Super Cup.
Forecast: Inter are the side to beat once again. It's hard to imagine them losing their grip on the title, but the Champions League could remain a step too far.

JUVENTUS
Coach: Claudio Ranieri - The veteran Coach won plaudits for the smooth return to the top last term, but he has to prove that he is capable of winning silverware.
Last season: 3rd in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Amauri - The Palermo marksman was arguably the biggest transfer swoop of the summer and should be a goal machine.
Pre-season: A win over Arsenal and a draw with Manchester United were overshadowed by a thumping in the Trofeo Berlusconi. There are whispers that more should've been done in the market.
Forecast: A harder task for the Old Lady this season. They may have to settle for third place again but European success may ease the feeling of inertia.

LAZIO
Coach: Delio Rossi - A boss with a lot to prove. After leading the Aquile to third place in 2006-07, he nearly lost his job during a dismal 2007-08 campaign.
Last season: 12th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Juan Pablo Carrizo - Better late than never, the Argentine No 1 arrives a year late to end Lazio's goalkeeping woes.
Pre-season: Mixed results in friendlies and a string of adequate signings have given little indication of what lies ahead.
Forecast: Improvement on last season is almost inevitable, but there doesn't seem to be enough quality for a UEFA Cup berth.

LECCE
Coach: Mario Beretta - A survival specialist, Beretta led Siena to comfortable safety last season only to be given the push.
Last season: 3rd in Serie B
Signing of the summer: Daniele Cacia - Undoubtedly talented, Cacia is a proven Serie B scorer and saw what is expected on the big stage at Fiorentina last year.
Pre-season: A worrying lack of activity in the market and a succession of wins over minnows.
Forecast: It is hard to see how the Salentini will stay afloat.

MILAN
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti - Carletto enters his eighth season in the Milan hot seat keen to eradicate the memories of his worst campaign to date.
Last season: 5th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Ronaldinho - He may have gone off the boil in the last 18 months, but Dinho is still a rare talent and just what the Rossoneri needed.
Pre-season: An injury-ravaged side suffered a 5-0 humiliation against Chelsea but destroyed Juventus in the Trofeo Berlusconi. They have signed very well and the late addition of Andriy Shevchenko is an admirable gamble.
Forecast: If an ageing defence doesn't fall apart at the seams, the Diavolo will be second only to Inter and should lift the UEFA Cup.

NAPOLI
Coach: Edy Reja - A close friend of Fabio Capello and a highly respected Coach, Reja has guided the Partenopei back from the abyss of Serie C.
Last season: 8th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Christian Maggio - The wide man enjoyed a breakthrough season at Sampdoria last term and is on the cusp of Azzurri selection.
Pre-season: Powerful performances in Europe seemed to suggest a side in harmony, but the Trofeo Birra Moretti is best forgotten.
Forecast: The battle for a UEFA Cup place will be fierce and the Vesuviani are likely to fall just short again.

PALERMO
Coach: Stefano Colantuono - Sacked and reinstated last season, the unassuming ex-Atalanta man is yet to settle in Serie A.
Last season: 11th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Marco Amelia - Italy's second best goalkeeper has finally escaped Livorno and could stop the steady trickle of goals against.
Pre-season: Defeat against Porogruaro and a Coppa Italia slip-up at the hands of Ravenna caused embarrassment, but the personnel changed greatly and will need time to gel.
Forecast: No longer Amauri plus 10, the Sicilians will fare better without their former talisman and will be there or thereabouts in the UEFA Cup race.

REGGINA
Coach: Nevio Orlandi - Hardly a household name, Orlandi remarkably brought the Amaranto back from the brink when he stepped in last March.
Last season: 16th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Bernardo Corradi - Back from a poor spell in England, the fiery hitman will look to recreate the steady scoring of his Lazio days.
Pre-season: A draw with Gubbio and a defeat against Ancona saw Orlandi admit that his side wasn't good enough but they eased past Grosseto in the Coppa Italia.
Forecast: The Calabrians won't go down without a fight, but they will go down.

ROMA
Coach: Luciano Spalletti - The shiny-headed Tuscan has created an entertaining a highly effective side and is regarded as one of Europe's best.
Last season: 2nd in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Julio Baptista - He's not Adrian Mutu but if he can rediscover the form he showed at Sevilla he will be an asset.
Pre-season: Disastrous. Defeat against Steaua Bucharest and a 5-0 pummeling at Tottenham caused panic as the Giallorossi's transfer campaign never really got started.
Forecast: The only way is down for the Lupi and they may struggle to keep a place in the top four.

SAMPDORIA
Coach: Walter Mazzarri - The ex-Reggina man exudes authority and ended a spell of Blucerchiati underachievement with an impressive 2007-08 campaign.
Last season: 6th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Bruno Fornaroli - The man nicknamed 'The Tuna' was hot property and could bag some vital goals if he adapts to Italian football.
Pre-season: Steady if not spectacular. Samp notched up some confidence-boosting wins and Antonio Cassano looked especially sharp.
Forecast: Last season will be hard to follow but Mazzarri's men are capable of maintaining sixth spot.

SIENA
Coach: Marco Giampaolo - Sacked by Cagliari last year, young tactician Giampaolo has his work cut out to repeat Mario Beretta's efforts with the Robur.
Last season: 13th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Emanuele Calaiò - Frozen out by Edy Reja at Napoli last term, the experienced Sicilian striker could provide a much-needed cutting edge.
Pre-season: Giampaolo's men were booed off after a stalemate with Salernitana, they lost to Ascoli, drew with Cittadella and fell to Sampdoria.
Forecast: It's a return to nail biting for the Siena faithful and Giampaolo may not have what it takes to safeguard their eight-year residency in Serie A.

TORINO
Coach: Gianni De Biasi - The well-travelled Coach stepped in to steady the ship with five weeks to go last season.
Last season: 15th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Rolando Bianchi - After his English aberration, Bianchi is back in the peninsula and hungry to repeat his 18-goal haul with Reggina in 2006-07.
Pre-season: The necessary new recruits were eventually delivered but the mood isn't altogether harmonious and a 2-2 draw with Fulham left fans unsure what to think.
Forecast: A relegation battle is almost certain but there should be more fireworks than we saw in a dour 2007-08 campaign.

UDINESE
Coach: Pasquale Marino - The ex-Catania Coach adapted to life at the other end of Serie A quickly and is one of Italy's brightest tacticians.
Last season: 7th in Serie A
Signing of the summer: Marco Motta - An Azzurrini defender with a promising future ahead of him.
Pre-season: A fairly low-key series of games but a 1-0 win over Villarreal was a huge boost. However, the lack of big-name signings is worrying, if not surprising.
Forecast: The Friulani will need their usual suspects to play out of their skins and could drop into mid-table.

Can't believe they still put inter ahead of Milan. Silly, old journalists. Besides what does a guy with a name like 'Paul Watson' know about Serie A, I reckon he isn't Italian.

I can't say I disagree with him, I mean in terms of current form Inter is ahead of us. They are the team to beat and but our current squad? I can't see us behind Inter anymore. This might be our year.

yeah but once they get their players back and with the genius of mourinho where he employs hard work and power as his gameplan i can't see inter landing 3 or 4th. They will either take it or be behind us by a very close score.

What Jose is great at is making a team exactly that, a team. Anybody that starts to cause problems, he punishes them and isn't scared to drop anyone. He'll give Inter exactly what they need in my opinion.

I really think Inter's depth has started to decline and anyone can see that in the last season... towards the end of last season. They nearly threw away the scudetto.

But that's because the best player in Italy - Zlatan Ibrahimovic - is irreplaceable.

I really think Inter's depth has started to decline and anyone can see that in the last season... towards the end of last season. They nearly threw away the scudetto.

Anyways, Juventus had a huge blow. Nedved and Sissoko are now injured...

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug28h.html

They are missing Camoranesi, Chiellini (thanks to you know who), Nedved, Sissoko... and perhaps some others...

But that's because the best player in Italy - Zlatan Ibrahimovic - is irreplaceable.

@kurt ... inter always had a squad ! In fact they always had a squad with exceptional players. Their striker slots always have great names filling them and their midfield is the deepest in Serie A ... And no doubt, the signing of Mourinho just gave them a boost, who seems to be keeping his mouth shut and concentrating of football.

But I just cant see them as champions this year, Jose will be getting a lot of heat if results don't stack up, and the merda have been known to bury their heads in the sand if they cant keep up with Milan and Juve. I expect them to share that fate again.

That said, I believe they have a shot at the Champions League, the only teams beside the merda that I can see challenging are Barca and Chelsea. But if Mourinho can somehow reach the final and meet a team of such caliber, then I hope he crashes and burns

I totally don't think Inter is winning another scudetto. They may have a bad start... because of all their injuries. I think Jose's tactics are poor and I never admired what he has done. Nor do I think ManU is gonna win another CL title.

I think they will, but not in the foreseeable future. Goes for both inter and Man U. By the way, just for the record, Milan is the only club to win the CL twice consecutively (in the old format). I believe in 89 and 90. Yay!

In the new CL format no one won the League twice consecutively.
In the old format? Real Madrid 4 times in a row, Bayern 3 (or even 4), Ajax 3, Benfica 2, Inter 2,..

Thanks god!Rai Africa will show the serie A again.
They'll show Udinese-Palermo and Sampdoria-Merda tomorrow.

ببینم، چجوری این کانال لعنتی باز میشه

زکی! ترکیه دارید؟

it seems that quresma will sign for inter soon i think he will be one of the bst signing for inter and probaby italy

I think Quaresma is overrated.

I think Quaresma is overrated.

Isn't there an MF official Serie A league??

Dude WTF...I'm asking you...

I think Quaresma is overrated.

Inter did us a huge favour by getting Suazo. Thank God Galliani is incompetent, we may have ended up with him otherwise.

I think he has more talent than C.Ronaldo... always thought that even when both were in Sporting Lisbon.

The thing is: if Mourinho can get the best out of him, then he'll be one of the best wingers in the game.
And I believe that's a big possibility.

I don't get it, what do you mean he has more talent than CR? What can he do better?

Mourinho I think can shake him up.

Dude WTF...I'm asking you...