Inter Milan enters Serie A as top favourite and biggest hunted side

The Serie A season opens on Saturday, and Inter Milan step into the campaign as the defending champion, the top favourite and the most hunted side after securing Swiss centre‑back Manuel Akanji for their back line. Their ambition is to repeat the double that crowned them last season.

Inter's squad changes

Inter Mailand arrive as defending champion and favourite in Italy's Serie A (ITA). Coach Cristian Chivu, a former Romanian international, leads an experienced team. Manuel Akanji anchors the central defence. The image credit for the preview goes to Buzzi.

The Nerazzurri lost two team pillars, goalkeeper Yann Sommer of FC Brugge and full‑back Denzel Dumfries of Real Madrid, over the summer. Despite those exits, the club added targeted signings during the same window to bolster the squad. The new arrivals complement the core that delivered the recent double.

Swiss players and challengers

Usual challengers AC Milan, Juventus Turin and SSC Napoli are expected to contest Inter's throne. AC Milan have brought in midfielder Ardon Jashari, a Swiss international. Napoli and Juventus will rely on their existing rosters to try to unseat the favourites.

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The Swiss contingent in Serie A has shrunk sharply, falling from fourteen players across the league in 2025/26 to nine this season. Apart from Akanji and Jashari, no Swiss player features for a top club. Djibril Sow and Ethan Meichtry at Genoa, together with Eray Cömert at Torino, are set for their first Italian playing time.

Inter's double‑winning pedigree contrasts with the challengers' ambition to dethrone a side that already proved its dominance. While Inter compensates for the loss of Sommer and Dumfries with precise summer signings, the challengers must rely on consistency and tactical edge. The double winner from last season returns with confidence.

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The juxtaposition of a reinforced Inter and a reduced Swiss presence underscores a season where the defending champions must fend off hungry rivals despite roster turnover. All eyes will be on Saturday as the campaign unfolds across Italy, England and France.