The 4 Teams Looking to Blow This Season's Serie A Scudetto Chase Wide Open

With Juventus winning the Serie A title for the last six campaigns, this season could be completely different with Napoli, AC Milan, and Inter Milan all seeking to put an end to Juve's reign.

While Juve has slightly weakened in defence, their Serie A rivals have become stronger by making key signings in the summer transfer window - so they can match the high standards of  the Turin giants.

Here are the four squads that could make the Serie A title race one of the most entertaining yet...

4. Inter Milan

Inter Milan made an appalling start to the campaign last season - resulting in Frank de Boer being dismissed as manager. 

The arrival of Stefano Pioli revitalised the Nerazzurri in the midst of the season, but losing six games towards the end of the season ended in Pioli being sacked from the club. A seventh-placed finish was not acceptable in the eyes of the owners and fans - as the expectations are high for such a club that boasts 18 Serie A trophies. However, there have been encouraging signs for the Beneamata at the beginning of this season. 

The emergence of the new manager - Luciano Spalletti - has re-energized this side and given them a new mentality - one of picking up crucial wins. With Mauro Icardi already scoring two braces, the Argentine star looks more threatening in front of goal under the presence of Spalletti. 

Beating Fiorentina and AS Roma these past two weeks will be a confidence booster for Internazionale to challenge for the scudetto.

3. AC Milan

Performing consistently is something that the Rossoneri have been lacking in for the past six seasons. Though, this season the Milanesi are almost fielding a totally different starting 11, after signing 10 new players to the tune of £160m. 

Milan's biggest signing - Leonardo Bonucci - has already bolstered their defensive line. 21-year-old Andre Silva has shown his clinical ability in front of goal during the off season, while youth product Patrick Cutrone was pivotal in the team's 3-0 win against Crotone in the opening round of the Serie A. The 19-year-old also helped his side claim three points against a resolute Cagliari outfit in the second round. Meanwhile. the arrival of Franck Kessie from Atalanta has reinforced the midfield and added that dynamic creativity. 

Vincenzo Montella rekindled the Rossoneri last season by making a return to the European stage by qualifying for this season's Europa League competition. It was expected that it would take a couple of seasons for Montella's men to materialise, but it looks like they are ahead of schedule and set for a season of surprises.

2. Napoli

Napoli has come inches away from taking the spotlight off rivals Juventus over these last couple of Serie A seasons, but the southern Italians will be looking to go one better this campaign.

With the loss of Gonzalo Higuain at the beginning of last season, the Neapolitans have only thrived since, giving Dries Mertens the responsibility of playing the striker's role. The 30-year-old Belgian impressed the Partenopei fans by scoring a staggering 28 goals in last season's competition. The Ciucciarelli arguably play the most attractive brand of football in the nation and possibly the globe. 

Maurizio Sarri has retained the 4-3-3 formation - allowing the midfielders to play the short passing game with an attacking mindset. With the two-time scudetto winners maintaining the same squad from last season, they should only improve and become the team to beat in this season's Serie A. 

Two 3-1 victories against a promoted Hellas Verona and a resilient Atalanta side have things already looking optimistic in the city of Naples. 

1. Juventus

Pressure has never have been this high for the Bianconeri - as this time they will have giant rivals chasing them for the scudetto. 

It was a phenomenal campaign for the 33-time Serie A champions last season; unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst when the Turin club was written off by Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Cardiff, while losing their top defender - Leonardo Bonucci - weakened them in the build up to the new Serie A season. 

Juve will continue to push for a seventh consecutive league title, but they will face some better competition on this occasion. Nonetheless, the two opening rounds have seen Massimiliano Allegri's men take six points from Cagliari and a persistent Genoa team. Recent additions to the squad such as Blaise Matuidi, Douglas Costa, and Federico Bernardeschi will all enhance the depth of this experienced side.

The Old Lady may be conceding more goals, but the flair of Higuain and the No.10 role of Paulo Dybala will continue to make this team a formidable opponent for the rest of the competition.