Serie A 2025/26 kicks off: Napoli, Roma and Milan open the first matchday | OneFootball

After three months of waiting, Serie A reopens its doors for the 2025/2026 season. The championship resumes with the Italian champions Napoli called to inaugurate the tournament: the Azzurri take the field at 18:30 in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo, while at the same time Genoa-Lecce will be played.

Serie A 2025/26 kicks off, Napoli, Roma, and Milan open the first matchday

In the evening, at 20:45, it will be the turn of Roma-Bologna and Milan-Cremonese, two matches that also mark as many debuts on the bench.

Sassuolo-Napoli: Conte starts again with De Bruyne, but without Lukaku

The Italian champions Napoli open the season at the Mapei Stadium. Antonio Conte is aiming for an ambitious goal: to defend the Scudetto and try to win a second consecutive title, a feat never achieved in the club’s history, not even in the days of Maradona. The team from Campania will have to do without Romelu Lukaku, who is out for a long time due to injury. Ready to take his place is Lorenzo Lucca, supported by new signings Kevin De Bruyne and Noa Lang. On the neroverde side, Sassuolo — newly promoted and fresh from renewing Domenico Berardi’s contract until 2029 — dreams of spoiling the champions’ opening party.

Genoa-Lecce: Camarda leads the Salento attack, Grifoni start again with Vieira

The Salentini, having achieved a record of three consecutive survivals, are aiming for a fourth stay by relying on coach Eusebio Di Francesco. Their transfer campaign was significant, with the usual remarkable development of a player: this time Krstovic, who moved to Atalanta for a sum very important for the Apulian club. The market brought to Lecce (on loan) the striker in whom Italian football places its greatest hopes for the future: Francesco Camarda, 17 and a half years old and already hundreds of goals scored in various youth categories with the Milan shirt.

Milan-Cremonese: Allegri’s second spell begins without Leao

Massimiliano Allegri returns to lead Milan in Serie A more than eleven years after his last time. The debut at the Meazza against Cremonese comes at a delicate moment: Rafael Leao is unavailable due to an injury suffered in the Coppa Italia against Bari. Luka Modric is ready to take control of the midfield, while the Grigiorossi, led by Davide Nicola, aim to snatch precious points as they did in the 2022/2023 season (two draws in two meetings).

Roma-Bologna: the Gasperini era begins

The official debut of Gian Piero Gasperini on the Giallorossi bench will take place at the Olimpico. Roma’s objective is clear: to return to the Champions League after years of absence. However, the coach will have to do without Leon Bailey, who was injured shortly after his arrival, while Vincenzo Italiano’s Rossoblù arrive buoyed by their Coppa Italia victory and eager to confirm themselves in the league as well. Holm will be the main absence for the Felsinei.

A season start already full of talking points

Three matches, three different stories but a common denominator: the anticipation to discover the new balance of a Serie A that promises to be uncertain and competitive. Napoli, Milan, and Roma start with high ambitions, but even from the first matchday, every misstep could weigh heavily in the long race for the title.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.