Attacking stars set to light up Serie A
Serie A is poised to shed its outdated reputation as a dour defensive league, with Italy's top flight playing host to a fine collection of the world's best attacking players.
The days of the dour Serie A stalemate are long gone and this season, Italy's top flight is set to deliver some of the most exciting football on the continent, with an increasing number of the world's best attackers calling the league home.
Chief among them is Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored an incredible 311 goals in 292 games across a decorated nine-year career for Real Madrid. But the race for the Capocannoniere won't be an easy one for the 33 year-old, who is in very good company in Serie A when it comes to prolific scorers.
Take, for example, the man who made way for Ronaldo’s arrival in Turin - Gonzalo Higuain. The 30 year-old sealed a move to AC Milan, where he will hope to be the second prominent Argentinian to go toe-to-toe with Ronaldo in goal-scoring.
Meanwhile the blue side of Milan has an Argentine hitman of its own, club captain Mauro Icardi.
The 25 year-old was the league’s joint top-goalscorer last season, with 29 goals in 34 appearances and with Rajda Nainggollan’s addition to the Nerrazurri midfield, Icardi has every chance of going one better this season.
Icardi shared the Capocannoniere with Cirio Immobile, who inspired Lazio to a fith-placed finish and a spot in the UEFA Europa League.
Before you write off Immobile as a one-season wonder, consider his 23-goal haul in the season prior and with Italy missing out on the FIFA World Cup in Russia, the 28 year-old has enjoyed a full pre-season to hit the ground running from the opening round.
A little further down the table, you have Torino with a forgotten gem of its own in Italy international Andrea Belotti. It was a relatively quiet season for the 24 year-old when compared to the lofty standards he set in 2016-2017, but there’s no doubting what the former Palermo man is capabale of on his day.
Still not convinced? Sit back and enjoy this bicycle stunner he scored against Sassuolo last season.
Add Roma striker Edin Dzeko and Napoli sensation Dries Mertens to the mix and you have what’s shaping up to be the tightest golden boot race in Serie A’s fabled history.
