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Serie A

Kelvin Leong previews the latest edition of the Italian top flight, Serie A.

Many have claimed that the exit of Kaka from AC Milan to Real Madrid means Serie A has become a less exciting league.

And when Swede hitman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, decided to join Madrid nemesis, Barcelona, the fans cried foul that the best footballers are leaving Italian shores because the league is boring.

Really?

Not quite true.

Jose Mourinho has taken it upon himself as Internazionale coach to form his very own version of ‘Serie A Galacticos' akin to that of Madrid's starwars galaxy.

Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito signed up for the Special One's Inter project along with Brazilian midfield toughies, Lucio and Thiago Motta.

Having won the league title with consummate ease in his first season in charge, Mourinho will now seek to retain the title while gunning for the ultimate prize, the Champions League.

Their closest challenge will come from Turin in the form of a resurgent Juventus.

Old warhorse, Alessandro Del Piero finally has the ammunition to go for his eighth league title with two samba boys, Diego and Felipe Melo moving to Turin from Werder Bremen and Fiorentina respectively.

Despite Pavel Nedved's retirement, Ciro Ferrara has another old-timer to depend on in comeback kid, or should I say golden oldie, Fabio Cannavaro.

Whilst Juve's renaissance continue, AC Milan seem to have gone the other way.

Living legend, Paolo Maldini has hung up his boots while giant posters picturing Kaka's face will now be kept in dusty shelves.

Ronaldinho, formerly of Barca fame is the key man on the pitch.

However, it is Carlo Ancelotti's decision to leave the San Siro for Stamford Bridge that could very well be a choice Milan live to regret having installed the inexperienced, Leonardo, as their new boss.

Captain, star player and coach. All gone in one knockout blow. Can the Rosseneri overcome these losses?

Cesar Prandelli's purple warriors from Fiorentina and AS Prince of Rome's Roma will likely battle for the final Champions League spot in fourth place.

Francesco Totti and Adrian Mutu need to stay healthy the entire season for either team to stand a chance.

Elsewhere, Genoa, Lazio, Sampdoria, Napoli, Palermo and Udinese will be neck-to-neck in their quest for Europa Cup spots.

Napoli seek to muscle their way into a top six finish with the talented group of Marek Hamsik, Ezequiel Lavezzi and newcomer, Fabio Quagliarella as the key trident.

However, it is Sampdoria who seem to have the best chance of upsetting the odds and climb even higher up the table having Antonio Cassano as running the show down the middle.

The former Real Madrid star will be determined to put up a good showing with the 2010 World Cup looming large on the horizon.

Cassano's first club side, Bari, are also on the rise as they join Livorno and Parma as the three teams promoted from Serie B.

Bologna, Atalanta, Catania, Cagliari, Chievo, and Siena are the six existing clubs who may be caught up in a relegation dogfight with the promoted trio.

While Parma have Alberto Paloschi and Bologna have Marco Di Vaio to rely on for the goals that could prove instrumental in staying up, the other seven sides will struggle to find the back of the net.

It is anyone's guess, which three sides will take the ill-fated step down to the Serie B.

Predictions

Champions - Internazionale

Runners-up - Juventus

Automatic Champions Leaugue - AS Roma

Champions League Qualifying - AC Milan

Europa Cup - Fiorentina and Napoli

Relegation - Bari, Siena and Chievo