Inter Milan Dominance & An Infamous Napoli Collapse: A Look At What Have Been Serie A’s Biggest Talking Points From This Season

Inter make Serie A history

Suffering major Champions League final heartbreak last summer as they fell to a 1-0 loss at the hands of English heavyweights Manchester City, some were wondering if Inter Milan would show any signs of a hangover when opening up the 2023/24 campaign.

While they might have been frustrated last season as they eventually had to settle for a bronze medal finish among Italy’s elite, the Nerazzurri came roaring back in a remarkable fashion this time around.

Although Simone Inzaghi’s men might have failed to progress any further than the Champions League Round of 16 stage this season, Inter embarked on what was a record-breaking domestic romp on either side of Italy’s festive interval.

Storming their way to a history-making 20th Serie A crown and wrapping up their iconic title change thanks to a 2-1 victory against bitter local rivals AC Milan on April 22nd, Inzaghi’s side suffered just a pair of top-flight defeats this season.

Finishing the season on an astonishing 94 points and holding a 19-point buffer over the chasing pack, the Nerazzurri have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent.

Inter Milan have been crowned Serie A champions for a 20th time after a 2-1 win against rivals AC Milan 🇮🇹🏆 pic.twitter.com/DHgOSQae0u

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 23, 2024

Martinez steals all of the headlines

While France international Marcus Thuram might have made an immediate impact after arriving from German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach on a free transfer last summer, it is Inter’s attacking icon who has stolen most of the Nerazzurri’s headlines this season.

With it announced last week that Lautaro Martinez has agreed on a bumper new deal with the Italian giants, the Argentina international has underlined his status as one of Europe’s most clinical marksmen.

The Inter captain was in a rich vein of form in the 2023/24 campaign as he scored 27 goals across all competitions and provided seven assists in 44 appearances, as Inter won Serie A and the Supercoppa Italiana.

Likewise, registering 24 Serie A strikes this season and breezing his way to Italy’s Golden Boot, Martinez also remarkably bagged eight more goals than any other play in the division.

Now leading Inter’s goalscoring charts in each of the last three campaigns, the 26-year-old is rightfully now regarded as a modern era icon at the San Siro.

⚽ 24 goals
🎁 6 assists
🏆 Serie A winner

Lautaro Martínez is the 2023-24 Serie A Most Valuable Player 🌟 pic.twitter.com/071UepXcke

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 24, 2024

Napoli suffer an infamous collapse

Making real history during the 2022/23 campaign as they were crowned Serie A champions for a first time since Diego Maradona’s side way back in 1990, Napoli found their stock at a red-hot high when opening up the new campaign.

However, although the Azzurri were hopeful of defending their domestic title and establishing themselves as Italy’s new poster boy, the now-former champions have found themselves at the heart of a public nightmare this time around.

Remarkably going through four separate managers this season and coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, it appears that new boss Antonio Conte has a mountain of work that needs to be completed behind the scenes in Naples.

Along with failing to win any of their final seven Serie A appearances, Napoli could also remarkably register just a single victory from any of their final 12 matchups across all competitions – a rut that stemmed all the way back to March 3rd.

Eventually forced to settle for an infamous 10th-place finish season and with no European adventure secured for the 2024/25 campaign, the Blues have faced a major backlash.

🚨🔵 BREAKING: Antonio Conte as new Napoli head coach, here we go!

Agreement reached on every detail also including add-ons, after fixed salary, image rights and staff members.

Conte will sign the contract valid until June 2027, documents approved.

Huge appointment for Napoli. pic.twitter.com/1wr16gBTd4

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 31, 2024

Bologna spring an almighty upset

While German trailblazers Bayer Leverkusen might have underlined their status as Europe’s ultimate surprise package this season, Bologna have certainly upset the establishment among Italy’s elite.

Suffering just six defeats from any of their 38 Serie A appearances, Thiago Motta’s record-breaking squad stormed their way to a remarkable Champions League return for the first time in 59 years. In fact, Bologna’s fifth-place finish this season was their best overall total since way back in 1971.

Gaining a reputation for their free-flowing approach and continuing to shatter a string of long-standing club records, the Greyhounds managed to finish ahead the likes of Roma and Lazio.

With the likes of one-time Bayern Munich starlet Joshua Zirkzee spearheading their charge in the final third, Bologna also collected some heavyweight scalps on their domestic fairytale.

However, left heartbroken last week as it was heavily suggested that Motta will be making the move to Turin to takeover at Juventus, Bologna appear to have some major decisions to make over the summer.

Hands up if you’re playing Champions League football next season! 🌟🙌#UCL #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/pzIVOtwkEs

— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) May 16, 2024