If anybody can wrest the Serie A title from Juventus, it’s Inter’s new manager, Antonio Conte.
Serie A has become one of the most predictable leagues in the world. Juventus has won the Scudetto eight consecutive times. They are the unchallenged champions, indeed!
But that accomplishment looks to be under threat after Internazionale Chairman Steven Zhang appointed Antonio Conte as Inter Milan’s new manager.
It has been a while, though, since Inter flexed its muscles. Despite being one of the biggest clubs in Europe, both domestically and abroad, Inter’s last European success came in 2010 (a 2-0 UEFA Champions League win over Bayern Munich). Since then, Inter hasn’t done much. Inactivity in the Transfer Market is one reason why.
Make no mistake about it, though: Conte’s appointment changes the team’s trajectory.
I fully expect additional high-profile signees to find their way to Milan over the summer. They will come at a good time, too. Because Spaletti won his last match of the season (against Empoli), Inter leapfrogged AC Milan to ensure that it will be playing in the Champions League next season.
Juventus, on the other hand, recently had their manager, Max Allegri, mooted off his seat. His ouster came after the team was eliminated by Ajax Amsterdam in Champions League quarterfinal action. Allegri’s successor will now go toe-to-toe with Conte–a leader who’s renowned for making adjustments to put his teams in privileged positions. Consider what Conte did in his first season at Chelsea. He converted a bad start into a league-winning year.
Conte’s recent appointment and Juventus’ soon–to-be-named manager will add spice to Serie A. But no matter who that new man might be, I agree with ESPN’s Stewards Robson’s when he said: “Conte and Inter will challenge Juventus for the title.”
This is going to be fun!
Clutch Sports
