5 predictions for the 2021-22 Serie A season

#3 Juventus to reclaim the Serie A crown

Juventus won nine consecutive Serie A titles

Juventus were by far the most dominant team in Serie A in the last decade but saw their stranglehold on the title broken last season.

This owed much to the Bianconeri's internal demons, as well as the inexperience of Andrea Pirlo in the dugout.

Massimiliano Allegri's reappointment has signaled an intent to return to basics which could in turn translate to renewed dominance.

Juventus' Serie A quest will be aided by the lack of genuine competition in the league, barring any surprise Cinderella stories.

As already touched upon, Inter Milan are in self-destruction mode, while AC Milan's tame end to last season highlighted the infeasibility of their initial title charge.

Napoli have not shown the consistency of years gone by, while Jose Mourinho's arrival at AS Roma is a headline-grabber at best.

Getting pumped for the Gamper! 👌🏆ALL the #BarçaJuve build-up LIVE now on @Twitch 🔴⤵️

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 8, 2021

Perhaps Atalanta might be the only worthy challenger in Serie A but for all the Bergamo outfit's impressive feats, they lack the squad depth to truly go the distance.

Football is a game where anything can happen but the smart money will be on backing Juventus to triumph in Serie A.

---

#2 Jose Mourinho's Serie A return to end poorly

Jose Mourinho returns to Serie A after 11 years

Jose Mourinho is one of the greatest managers in history but the last few years have been less than flattering on his CV.

High-profile sacks have come at Chelsea and Manchester United, while he has also failed to redeem his battered image at Tottenham.

It is telling of Mourinho's low standing these days that instead of going to a "top club in England or Italy" after his sacking, he is being appointed by a mid-level Serie A side.

AS Roma are one of the most storied clubs in Italian football but the capital side have taken a backseat in recent years.

They cannot even claim to be among the sides pushing Juventus to the limit and have arguably even lost city bragging rights to Lazio.

As such, the appointment of Jose Mourinho is a storied marriage between a club trying to find its identity and a manager who has lost his previous Midas touch.

However, it looks unlikely that there will be any fairytale ending, as Roma do not have the quality needed to genuinely challenge for honors in Serie A.

The Stadio Olimpico outfit have also been embroiled in several controversies over the last few years, with their famous remontada over Barcelona seemingly eons ago.

It might even be a stretch to expect the Giallorossi to attain a top-four finish. And judging by Mourinho's recent history, this is an appointment that could end in ignominy.

---

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo to retain the Serie A Golden Boot

Cristiano Ronaldo wo the Serie A Golden Boot last season

Cristiano Ronaldo will turn 37 years midway through the Serie A campaign but it would be foolhardy to write him off based on that.

The Madeira native has continued his record-breaking ways in Turin and finished each of his three seasons at Juventus as the club's top scorer.

He won a maiden Serie A Golden Boot last term with 29 goals and is poised to repeat the feat in the coming campaign.

For starters, the Portugal international still retains the same drive and hunger to be the best, while Juventus' significant superiority guarantees that he will get chances.

Furthermore, the imminent departure of Romelu Lukaku excludes arguably the only player capable of pushing Ronaldo all the way. As such, it is hard to see beyond the five-time Ballon d'Or winner retaining his Capocannoniere award.

---

Also See: Seven European clubs to win a treble