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It’s that time of the year again where the writing and podcast staff at SempreMilan voluntarily humiliate themselves try to call the upcoming season.
The 2024-25 campaign was a tough one to call, as shown by the fact none of the staff called Napoli rebounding to win the league nor Milan having one of the worst campaigns in recent memory, finishing eighth.
Despite this, the upcoming season might be even tougher to call given the sheer amount of overhaul. Napoli, Juventus and Bologna are the only top nine sides to keep their coaches with Inter, Atalanta, Roma, Lazio, Milan and Fiorentina all deciding to roll the dice.
As a disclaimer to this, there is still just under two weeks of the mercato remaining at the time of publishing, which will very much feed into some of the calls that the staff have made.
Without further ado, Oliver, Anthony, Isak, Madison, Stefano, Lorenzo, Ahmed, Maxi, Ivan, Rohit and Nikita put what is left of their reputations on the line.
Scudetto winner
Oli: Napoli. While I think the Lukaku injury could be looked back upon as a sliding doors moment, I also think that the Partenopei have strengthened from an already strong platform, which will allow them to deal with having European football. Never bet against Antonio Conte, either, but I don’t think they will be runaway winners at all.
Anthony: Napoli to repeat but Milan close.
Isak: AC Milan. None of the rivals’ business has moved me this summer, and without a strong prediction, I might as well say the Rossoneri.
Madison: Napoli, I don’t think anyone will be able to stop Conte.
Stefano: Milan.
Lorenzo: Napoli, although it’s hard to believe they will be the first team to defend the Scudetto since Juve’s dominance, Conte can and is their X-Factor. But their squad will suffer with Europe and so Milan (2nd) will be close on their heels.
Ahmed: Napoli.
Maxi: Napoli.
Ivan: Milan.
Rohit: Napoli. Lukaku’s injury might change things but Napoli’s depth is of Serie A pedigree and a coach like Antonio Conte can always work with Serie A pedigree.
Nikita: Milan.
Top seven in order
Oli: Napoli, Inter, Milan, Roma, Juventus, Atalanta, Como. I don’t see Inter’s drop-off as being huge like many because the team will be virtually the same with many similar principles. Roma will be fun under Gasperini and will ride out the positive end to last season, while I see Atalanta struggling a bit under Juric, and Como going up a level after a brilliant mercato.
Anthony: Napoli, Milan, Juventus, Inter, Roma, Como, Lazio.
Isak: AC Milan, Napoli, Inter, Roma, Fiorentina, Juventus, Como.
Madison: Napoli, Milan, Inter, Juve, Roma, Lazio, Atalanta, Bologna.
Stefano: Milan, Napoli, Inter, Roma, Juve, Atalanta, Bologna.
Lorenzo: Napoli, Milan, Juve, Inter, Roma, Lazio, Como.
Ahmed: Napoli, Inter, Roma, Atalanta, Milan, Juve, Lazio.
Maxi: Napoli, Inter, Juventus, Milan, Roma, Atalanta, Fiorentina.
Ivan: Milan, Napoli, Juve, Roma, Inter, Atalanta, Lazio.
Rohit: Napoli, Milan, Inter, Roma, Juventus, Atalanta, Fiorentina.
Nikita: Milan, Napoli, Inter, Juve, Lazio, Roma, Atalanta.
How Milan will do in the Coppa Italia
Oli: Win it! The drought has to end one year, we’ve been close on several occasions in the past decade, and the man to get us over the line (Allegri) is the man who has won the competition the most (five times).
Anthony: Easy path to the semis and I think they can beat Juve for a derby final. I have a feeling they don’t win it though, so runners-up.
Isak: Semi-finals. I’m not buying into the Mr Coppa Italia hype as much as other fans.
Madison: We are going all the way.
Stefano: Semi-final and knocked out.
Lorenzo: Final, just at this point winning it seems harder than a UCL for us. We have the competitions best manager so it’s possible, but I see some reffing bullsh**. But a final appearance is an absolute must.
Ahmed: Winners.
Maxi: Semi-finals.
Ivan: Win it baby!
Rohit: Winner. Max the Coppa specialist will look to win the trophy given Milan only has two trophies to contend.
Nikita: Winners, it’s a double!
Relegated teams
Oli: Cremonese, Pisa, Lecce. The former two are promoted sides that haven’t strengthened enough in my opinion, while Lecce losing Krstovic is a big blow, though I hope they do well due to Camarda being there. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sassuolo really struggle too.
Anthony: Parma, Pisa, Cremonese. No particular order.
Isak: Parma, Pisa, Cremonese. For no particular reason whatsoever.
Madison: Pisa, Verona, Sassuolo.
Stefano: Cremonese, Pisa, Lecce.
Lorenzo: Parma, Cremonese, Pisa (in that order).
Ahmed: Cremonese, Pisa, Hellas Verona.
Maxi: Cremonese, Pisa, Lecce.
Ivan: Pisa, Cremonese, Verona.
Rohit: Pisa, Lecce and Cremonese.
Nikita: Pisa, Cremonese, Parma.
Capocannoniere winner
Oli: Marcus Thuram. A really hard decision because I think the winner will get no more than 18 goals, but I think Thuram – without Lookman coming – will play and score plenty. If Boniface can stay fit though…
Anthony: Slim options this season. I guess Kean but no one sticks out. Might be a new breakout player.
Isak: Moise Kean. Pioli ball to make it happen.
Madison: Dare I say Leao?
Stefano: Moise Kean.
Lorenzo: Boniface (if he comes).
Ahmed: Leao.
Maxi: Lautaro Martínez.
Ivan: Leao.
Rohit: Wild option, but I’m gonna go with Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta.
Nikita: Lautaro.
Milan’s top scorer
Oli: Santiago Gimenez. Somewhat paradoxically to my last comment given I mentioned Boniface as a Capocannoniere winner, but I will be surprised if he makes more league starts than Gimenez because of his issues. So, Santi will bang in 13-15 to quieten any doubters.
Anthony: Leao.
Isak: Santiago Gimenez. Please give the man a chance!
Madison: Leao. I think he’s going to be unleashed with Allegri.
Stefano: Boniface* (Leao if not signed).
Lorenzo: Boniface (again if he comes 😂), if not I’m gonna say Rafa.
Ahmed: Leao.
Maxi: Rafael Leao.
Ivan: Leao.
Rohit: Gimenez.
Nikita: Leao.
Most assists for Milan
Oli: Christian Pulisic. Was torn between him and Luka Modric, but for minutes alone I think the Croatian-American takes it.
Anthony: Leao or Pulisic.
Isak: Rafael Leao. His position will affect my prediction a lot, but it feels like a reasonable shout.
Madison: Pulisic is going to be setting up all those Leao goals.
Stefano: Leao.
Lorenzo: Puli, did it last season will do it again.
Ahmed: Pulisic.
Maxi: Leao.
Ivan: Leao.
Rohit: Pulisic.
Nikita: Pulisic.
Milan’s player of the season
Oli: Rafael Leão. It may seem strange given I didn’t name his as top for goals or assists, but I think he gets over 30 goal contributions and will finally be a bit more consistent, which will be acknowledged when the votes are counted.
Anthony: Leao. I think we see a 30+ GA season from him.
Isak: Luka Modric. Wouldn’t that just be beautiful?
Madison: Leao.
Stefano: Leao.
Lorenzo: Leao, simply he is our best player.
Ahmed: Leao.
Maxi: Leao.
Ivan: Leao.
Rohit: Ricci.
Nikita: Leao.
Milan’s breakout performer
Oli: Samuele Ricci. Some may question him being a ‘breakout’ player who cost over €20m, but having seen so much doubt about what he can do, I think after a few games everyone will agree he is a quality regista.
Anthony: Torn between Jashari and De Winter. Jashari probably expected to be top quality but De Winter is my dark horse. He will usurp Tomori’s starting spot and hold it for the season.
Isak: Strahinja Pavlovic. It was a very inconsistent first season, but with Allegri’s guidance and a little more discipline, he could be great.
Madison: I really way Musah to have a break out season. If the news about how Allegri likes him is true then it’s possible! I don’t think it’s fair to pick a new player as a break out one given they have had zero time with the team. With all this being said, the break out player will be none other than… Saelemaekers.
Stefano: Ricci.
Lorenzo: Estupinan.
Ahmed: Jimenez.
Maxi: Ardon Jashari.
Ivan: A bit short on youngsters this year but I think Pavlovic will take a big leap forward and lead at the back after a shaky last season.
Rohit: Jashari.
Nikita: Ricci.
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