Serie A - injuries & suspensions October 2026

The 2026/2027 Serie A season kicked off in August and will run until the end of May. Once again, 20 teams are taking part in the competition. There was no shortage of changes in the dugouts and squad overhauls over the summer. Some clubs are also hoping to improve their results and climb into the top half of the table.

Inter aim to reaffirm their status

Inter Milan enter the season as defending champions. The team led by Cristian Chivu finished the previous campaign with 87 points, 11 clear of Napoli. The Milan side also won the Coppa Italia, completing a domestic double. They remained firmly in the league’s top spots for most of the season, and their attack was among the most prolific in the competition.

Defending the title will be a difficult task, however. Inter must balance the league with their Champions League and domestic cup campaigns. Chivu enjoyed a successful first season in charge, but expectations are now higher. Their rivals will look to capitalise on any slip-ups by the champions and close the gap at the top.

Napoli, Milan and Juventus seek answers

Napoli finished last season in second place, 11 points behind Inter. Massimiliano Allegri is now in charge, returning to work in Serie A after a break. His task is to get the most out of the squad and improve results so Napoli can challenge for the title again.

There have also been changes at Milan. The club appointed Ruben Amorim, who is expected to introduce his own tactical ideas and improve on last season’s results. For a club with such a distinguished history, simply qualifying for European competition may not be enough. The new coach will therefore be under considerable pressure.

Juventus are also hoping to return to the title race. Above all, the Turin side need greater consistency. With the competition at the top so tight, matches against direct rivals will be just as important as those in which Juve are favourites.

Como move closer to Europe’s elite

Como are one team to watch this season. The club continue to develop their sporting project and, after a successful campaign, are preparing for the Champions League. They will now find out how they cope with a congested fixture schedule. Competing on several fronts will require not only a strong starting XI, but also quality options off the bench.

Cesc Fàbregas has had a major influence on the team’s development. The Spaniard favours an adventurous style of play and focuses on developing players. European competition will give Como a chance to gain experience, but it will also test the team against stronger opponents.

Nine clubs change managers

Nine clubs opted to change managers ahead of the season. The new coaches will need to implement their ideas and find the formation best suited to the players at their disposal. Not everyone will manage that straight away, so the opening rounds could produce significant differences in results.

Among the most high-profile moves were Allegri’s appointment at Napoli, Amorim’s arrival at Milan and Maurizio Sarri’s move to Atalanta. Other clubs have also brought in new managers, hoping either to improve their results or begin a longer-term project. Much will depend on how quickly the teams adapt to their new coaches.

Over the summer, clubs strengthened various areas of their squads, signing both experienced players and footballers with room to develop. For teams chasing European qualification, the ability to rotate will also be important, particularly when league fixtures are interspersed with matches in Europe.

Three teams return to Serie A

Venezia, Frosinone and Monza are back in the top flight for the 2026/2027 season. Each club has different experiences and resources, but all three must make staying up their top priority.

After promotion, squads need to be adapted to a higher level of competition. A solid defence, clinical finishing and enough players ready to feature regularly will be crucial. Matches against teams with similar aims will be particularly important, although points picked up unexpectedly against favourites could also prove valuable.

The title race and the battle to stay up

Inter begin the season as champions and the team their rivals will be looking to dethrone. Napoli, Milan and Juventus are targeting the title, while Como face the challenge of competing with Europe’s elite. With so many managerial changes, some teams may need a few rounds to hit their stride.

At the bottom of the table, Venezia, Frosinone and Monza will be fighting to stay up, but more teams could find themselves in danger. In Serie A, a poor run can quickly complicate a team’s position in the table, so picking up points consistently will be just as important as performing well against direct rivals.