2026 has proven to be a challenging year for Serie A, marked by the absence of the Azzurri from the World Cup for the third consecutive time and the elimination of Internazionale by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League. The reigning Scudetto winners, Napoli, languish in 30th place in the Champions League table, while Atalanta suffered a staggering 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.

As Serie A grapples with its declining reputation, historic clubs like AC Milan and Juventus missed out on Champions League qualification. Instead, they now compete in the Europa League, while Inter secured their 21st Scudetto under Cristian Chivu, matching his predecessor Simone Inzaghi's title count.

This season sees a mix of familiar managerial faces and new arrivals. Ruben Amorim takes charge at AC Milan after a rocky tenure at Manchester United, while Goncalo Ramos joins Milan for a record €74m to rejuvenate their attack. Juventus brings back Randal Kolo Muani amid a significant overhaul, including younger talents like Kenan Yildiz.

Inter retains key players like Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco while reshaping their squad, losing notable veterans and signing John Stones. Como, under Cesc Fabregas, aims to balance domestic and European commitments as they join the fray.

As clubs adapt to the shifting landscape, the managerial carousel continues, with Maurizio Sarri now at Atalanta and Gennaro Gattuso taking over at Lazio. Despite the challenges, the league's unpredictability, evidenced by seven clubs finishing in the top four over the last three seasons, offers a glimmer of hope.

Ultimately, Serie A's future hinges on its ability to re-establish itself in European competitions, as the pressure mounts for clubs to perform on the continental stage.