Speaking to the microphones of Il Calcio Quotidiano, Xavier Jacobelli painted a picture of Serie A, with a look at Napoli‘s difficulties, the ambitions at the top, and the future of the National Team.

According to the journalist, Napoli is going through a complicated period: “Seven defeats in fourteen official matches represent a serious warning sign. The reasons for this negative period are many. The Azzurri team is inevitably paying for the wear and tear of some veterans and is showing a bit too much nervousness, as was evident in the last Champions League match. The summer transfer market, then, was not up to par, Allegri risks facing an anonymous season and on Sunday, as you pointed out, the surprising Lazio of Rino Gattuso arrives.”

The coach himself is at the center of one of the most positive stories at the start of this championship. “Gattuso has been good at isolating the team from the environmental tensions caused by the now irreparable rift between fans and ownership. He has solidified the group by revitalizing players who seemed finished: I’m thinking of Belahyane, Mandas, Isaksen, and Tavares. It’s a great football story, Gattuso deserves all the applause he’s receiving.”

On the title race front, Jacobelli points to Inter as the main candidate: “I see Inter as the favorite, who authoritatively responded, in the Champions League, to the criticism after the derby, but watch out also for Roma, Milan, and Como.” A tournament that, in his opinion, promises to be very intriguing.

Finally, a word on the National Team. Jacobelli expresses confidence in Roberto Mancini‘s management: “Very much so. Our head coach is called upon to pick up the pieces after the latest, bitter disappointments. We have the duty to reach the European Championship first and the World Cup after. It won’t be an easy job, patience is needed, we must be careful not to fall into frenzy, which has proven, in the past, to be our main enemy.” The journalist also mentions the path indicated by Silvio Baldini and the talents of Papaccioli and Liberali as encouraging signs for the future of Italian football.

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