Serie A recap: Napoli's Scudetto in a photo finish, Inter’s collapse on all fronts, and the club that waited 50 years

The 2024–25 Serie A season was a thrilling chapter in Italian football, marked by a dramatic title race, intense battles for European qualification, and a fierce struggle to avoid relegation. Napoli's resurgence under Antonio Conte, Juventus's late push for Champions League qualification, and the heartbreak of relegation for teams like Empoli, Venezia, and Monza defined a season full of narratives.

TITLE RACE

Napoli: Conte's Calculated Ascent

When Antonio Conte took the helm at Napoli in June 2024, expectations were high. Despite the mid-season departure of star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to PSG in January 2025, Conte's strategic acumen kept Napoli on course. The acquisition of Scott McTominay from Manchester United for 25 millions proved pivotal; McTominay's leadership and goal-scoring prowess earned him the Serie A MVP award. Napoli's campaign was marked by consistency and resilience. A crucial 2–0 victory over Cagliari on the final matchday secured their fourth Serie A title, finishing just one point ahead of Inter Milan.

Open 'Diego's window' and celebrate McTominay! Napoli are the Champions!

Inter Milan: The Near Miss

Under Simone Inzaghi, Inter Milan began the season strongly, aiming to defend their title. Captain Lautaro Martínez led the charge, delivering consistent performances and crucial goals. Inter's journey was not without challenges. A 2–0 victory over Atalanta in March extended their lead at the top, but a subsequent 1–1 draw against Napoli allowed their rivals to close the gap. Despite a strong finish, including a 2–0 win over Torino, Inter fell just short, finishing second by a single point.

Mamma mia! Inter knock down Barca in one of the greatest-ever spectacles

The Final Stretch

As the season drew to a close, both teams were neck and neck. Napoli's unwavering form, coupled with Inter's intense schedule—including a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona—tested the depth and endurance of both squads. In the end, Napoli's consistency under Conte's guidance proved decisive.

EUROPEAN BATTLE

Atalanta – The Entertainers

Atalanta secured a Champions League spot with a third-place finish, showcasing an attacking brand of football. Striker Mateo Retegui emerged as the league's top scorer with 25 goals, while Ademola Lookman provided crucial support. Despite injury challenges, Gian Piero Gasperini's side maintained consistency, highlighted by an 11-match winning streak.

Gasperini had two great offers, and his final decision is worth respect

Juventus – Resilience Amid Transition

Juventus clinched the final Champions League berth with a dramatic 3–2 win over Venezia on the last day. Interim coach Igor Tudor steadied the ship after replacing Thiago Motta, guiding a youthful squad through a 21-match unbeaten run.

Roma – Narrowly Missing Out

Roma finished fifth, securing a Europa League spot. Despite managerial changes, including the appointment of Ivan Juric, the team showed resilience but fell short of Champions League qualification. Their season was marked by inconsistency, but they remain a formidable force in European competitions.

Bologna – A Remarkable Rise

Bologna's transformation under Thiago Motta was one of the season's standout stories. Traditionally a mid-table team, they secured a Europa League spot through Coppa Italia, showcasing efficient attacking football and tactical discipline. Their ascent reflects the club's strategic planning and effective management.

Fiorentina – Progress and Change

Fiorentina achieved their best league finish since 2016, ending sixth and qualifying for the Conference League. However, managerial instability persisted, with Raffaele Palladino departing just weeks after signing a contract extension. The club continues to seek stability and success in European competitions.

AC Milan – A Season to Forget

AC Milan endured a turbulent season, finishing eighth and missing out on European football. Managerial changes, including the return of Max Allegri, failed to stabilize the team. Key players like Kyle Walker and Fikayo Tomori face uncertain futures as the club looks to rebuild.

Fall of a giant – AC Milan miss out on Europe

Lazio – A Disappointing Campaign

Lazio's season was marred by inconsistency and managerial changes, culminating in a failure to secure European qualification. The departure of key players and inadequate reinforcements contributed to their struggles, highlighting the need for a strategic overhaul.

The 2024–25 Serie A season showcased the league's depth and competitiveness, with traditional powerhouses facing challenges and emerging teams making significant strides. As clubs prepare for European competitions, the upcoming season promises further excitement and intrigue.

RELEGATION THINGS

The fight to avoid relegation was intense. Empoli, despite a commendable run to the Coppa Italia semi-finals, couldn't escape the drop, finishing 18th.

Venezia's return to Serie A was short-lived, as they struggled throughout the season and were relegated after failing to secure a single away victory.

Monza's season was particularly disappointing. Despite managerial changes, they finished last with just 18 points, marking one of the lowest totals in recent history.

INTERESTING STATISTICS

Total Matches: 380

Total Goals: 973

Top Scorer: Mateo Retegui (25 goals)

Biggest Home Win: 5–0

Biggest Away Win: 4–0

Longest Winning Streak: Atalanta (11 matches)

Longest Unbeaten Run: Juventus (21 matches)

Longest Winless Run: Empoli (20 matches)

Longest Losing Streak: Monza (6 matches)

Highest Attendance: 80,018 (Inter vs. Lazio)

Lowest Attendance: 1,449 (Empoli vs. Udinese)

Average Attendance: 30,842

SO, WHAT NOW?

Napoli's resurgence under Conte sets a high bar for the upcoming season. With potential reinforcements and a return to the Champions League, they aim to maintain their dominance. Inter Milan will seek to regroup and challenge for titles, while clubs like Atalanta, Juventus, and Roma aim to build on their successes. The relegated teams face the challenge of bouncing back, and newly promoted sides will strive to make their mark in the top flight.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

The 2024–25 Serie A season was a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by unexpected triumphs and disappointing downfalls. From standout players to managerial masterclasses and underwhelming performances, here's a comprehensive look at the season's biggest winners and losers.

WINNERS:

1. Antonio Conte (Napoli Manager)

Antonio Conte orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent Serie A history. Taking over a Napoli side that had finished 10th the previous season, Conte instilled discipline and tactical acumen, leading them to their fourth Scudetto. Despite losing key players like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Conte's strategic signings and focus on league performance paid dividends.

Conte is not going anywhere after all

2. Scott McTominay (Napoli Midfielder)

Deemed surplus at Manchester United, McTominay's 25 millions move to Napoli proved to be a masterstroke. His 17 goals and consistent performances earned him the Serie A MVP award, highlighting his transformation into a midfield powerhouse under Conte's guidance.

3. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan Forward)

As Inter's captain, Martinez led by example, netting 24 goals in 33 matches. His partnership with Marcus Thuram was instrumental in Inter's strong league performance and their journey to the Champions League final.

4. Claudio Ranieri (AS Roma Manager)

Returning to Roma amid managerial chaos, Ranieri stabilized the team, guiding them from 13th to a European qualification spot. Under his leadership, Roma achieved the best record in Serie A in 2025, showcasing his tactical prowess and ability to inspire.

5. Francesco Acerbi (Inter Milan Defender)

Acerbi's resilience shone through as he overcame personal battles to become a key figure in Inter's defense. His crucial 93rd-minute goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals epitomized his determination and importance to the team.

From depths of hell to UCL final: before Barca, Inter's hero Acerbi topped cancer, depression, alcoholism...

LOSERS:

1. AC Milan

Milan's season was marred by instability, with managerial changes and underwhelming performances. Despite a promising squad, they finished eighth, missing out on European football. The return of Max Allegri as manager signals a potential overhaul.

2. AC Monza

Monza's campaign was a disaster, finishing last with just 18 points. Poor recruitment and managerial instability under Alessandro Nesta contributed to their downfall and subsequent relegation.

3. Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta Forward)

Scamacca's season was derailed by a serious ACL injury in August, sidelining him for months. His absence was a significant blow to Atalanta's attacking options.

All in all, we've witnessed one of the most exciting seasons in Serie A, both in the title race and the battle for European spots. Now we wait to see what changes will happen in the clubs during the upcoming transfer window and hope that next season will be even more thrilling.