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Four Serie A teams who will qualify for the Champions League

By John Vaccaro

TURIN, ITALY - MAY 19: Juventus FC coach Massimiliano Allegri celebrates with the trophy after winning the Serie A Championship at the end of the serie A match between Juventus and Hellas Verona FC at Allianz Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - MAY 19: Juventus FC coach Massimiliano Allegri celebrates with the trophy after winning the Serie A Championship at the end of the serie A match between Juventus and Hellas Verona FC at Allianz Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images) /
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4th August 2018, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland; Pre Season football friendly, International Champions Cup, Liverpool versus Napoli; Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) plays the ball past Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) (photo by Ashley Cahill/Action Plus via Getty Images)
4th August 2018, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland; Pre Season football friendly, International Champions Cup, Liverpool versus Napoli; Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) plays the ball past Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) (photo by Ashley Cahill/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

4. Napoli

It was a tough summer for Napoli. In one move they lost the coach that took them from Europa League to 3 consecutive top 3 finishes, including 2 seasons where they were the “Winter Champions”, and a key member of their midfield. Then they saw arguably their most important summer signing break his arm in practice.

Alex Meret’s injury quickly put a damper on Napoli’s plans. Bringing in David Ospina on a loan will help to soften the blow. However, Ospina has been a backup for the last 4 years and isn’t what Napoli would’ve had in mind to start the summer. He’ll fill in better for Meret than Orestis Karnezis would have, but could still be a weak link for Napoli.

Fabian Ruiz has plenty of potential, but asking him to fully fill in for Jorginho after only one year as a full time starter could be too much too soon and Carlo Ancelotti has had an incredible amount of success as a coach, but there will likely be an adjustment period as he replaces Sarri’s very unique style.

Even without Sarri their offense should be as potent as ever. Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens, and Jose Callejon have been lighting up Serie A consistently for the last few years.

Arkadiusz Milik might even be healthy this year. That would add another offensive component Napoli have been waiting 2 years for year.

Simone Verdi is coming in off of a season with 10 goals and 10 assists at Bologna to add yet another piece to Napoli’s offensive stockpile.

If Ruiz and Verdi can add to Napoli’s high-powered offense then we could be getting the best Napoli we’ve seen yet, but they’ll have to fit in quickly.

Napoli has the tough task of opening up at Lazio in their season opener and then playing Milan and Fiorentina in 2 of their next 3. If there is any adjustment period for Napoli then they could find themselves in a hole very quickly. I don’t think they’ll come nearly as close to the title this year as last year, but they should be able to overcome a slow start to keep themselves in the Champions League next season.

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