Serie A's 2025-26 season was a mixed bag for Italian football. The men's national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, and Serie A clubs struggled in European competitions. Inter, last year's Champions League finalists, were eliminated by Bodo/Glimt in the playoff round. Juventus conceded seven goals to Galatasaray, and defending champions Napoli failed to advance past the group stage. Atalanta rescued Italy's honor by overturning a two-goal deficit against Borussia Dortmund to reach the last 16, only to lose 10-2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich.
In the Europa League, Bologna knocked out Roma but lost 7-1 to Aston Villa. Fiorentina trailed 4-0 in their Europa Conference League quarter-final against Crystal Palace before pulling back two goals. Domestically, the Derby d'Italia in February was marred by Alessandro Bastoni's simulation to get Pierre Kalulu sent off, which he shamelessly celebrated. Bastoni later received a red card in Italy's World Cup qualifying playoff defeat to Bosnia, with some calling it karma.
A refereeing scandal led the designator of match officials to suspend himself in April. Scheduling clashes between the Rome derby and the Italian Open tennis finals caused chaos. Goal scoring was low, with 922 goals at 2.43 per game, the lowest average since 1993-94. One October weekend saw only nine goals in nine matches.
Inter's Domestic Double
Inter bounced back from their 2024-25 collapse, winning their first domestic double since 2010. Christian Chivu, appointed with only 13 games of senior management experience, faced skepticism after losing two of his first three matches. Yet his team scored 89 goals, the most in the league. Inter's left wing-back Federico Dimarco was named Serie A MVP, setting a league record with 18 assists and scoring seven goals.
Como's Champions League Qualification
Como, playing in the fourth tier in 2019, qualified for the Champions League for the first time. Under Cesc Fabregas, they played attractive football, but their rapid rise was fueled by billionaire owners and a squad of almost exclusively foreign players. Only one Italian, Edoardo Goldaniga, made two substitute appearances totaling 14 minutes.
The percentage of minutes played by non-Italian footballers in Serie A has risen from about 30% to nearly 70% over 20 years. British players continued to feature: Jamie Vardy scored seven goals for Cremonese, but they were relegated. Kieron Bowie scored four times for Verona, who also went down. Lennon Miller made 24 appearances for Udinese at age 19, and Keinan Davis scored 10 goals for the same club. Scott McTominay scored 10 goals for Napoli, keeping them competitive despite injuries.
Other Storylines
Roma finished in the top four under Gian Piero Gasperini, who survived a power struggle with Claudio Ranieri. Donyell Malen scored 14 goals in 18 appearances after joining in January. Juventus and Milan collapsed late in the season, with Milan sacking Massimiliano Allegri. Luka Modric's elegance at 40 was a highlight for Milan.
Fiorentina turned around a disastrous start after firing Stefano Pioli and hiring Paolo Vanoli. Genoa also improved under Daniele De Rossi. Giovanni Simeone scored double figures for Torino, and Udinese achieved their first top-half finish in over a decade.
End-of-Season Awards
Goal of the Season: Michael Folorunsho's stunning strike topped the list, with Piotr Zielinski's precise finish from a corner second, and Vasilije Adzic's 91st-minute Derby d'Italia winner third.
Player of the Season: Federico Dimarco, with 18 assists and 7 goals, was the official MVP. Scott McTominay, Nico Paz, Lautaro Martinez, and Donyell Malen were also contenders.
Team of the Season (3-4-1-2): Mile Svilar (Roma); Jacobo Ramon (Como), Bremer (Juventus), Evan Ndicka (Roma); Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Nicolo Barella (Inter), Federico Dimarco (Inter); Nico Paz (Como); Donyell Malen (Roma), Lautaro Martinez (Inter).
Manager of the Season: Cesc Fabregas, for leading Como to Champions League qualification despite a lack of Italian players. Christian Chivu and Gian Piero Gasperini were also considered.
Save of the Season: Mike Maignan's penalty save against Hakan Calhanoglu in the Derby della Madonnina, the first time a Serie A goalkeeper saved a Calhanoglu penalty in 29 attempts.
Game of the Season: Juventus 4-3 Inter in October, featuring stunning goals and a brotherly subplot between Marcus and Khephren Thuram.
Culinary Scandal: Jonathan David was reportedly left off Juventus social invitations after grating parmesan on pasta with clams, as revealed by Luciano Spalletti.
Quote of the Season: Gian Piero Gasperini, when Roma topped the table: "When you're in this position it's right to dream. We know those don't often come true, but it's beautiful to experience them ... Let's pretend to wake up, but instead go back to sleep and keep it going a little while longer."
