As custom dictates, Christmas can be a time for taking inventory, making judgments, and so, proper on cue as yearly, the OneFootball editorial workforce pauses to look again at what occurred in Serie A in 2025.
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It’s time to make our decisions and rejoice those that really made a distinction, by awarding the distinguished OneFootball Awards. Let’s begin with one of the best coach.
1️⃣ Maurizio Sarri (Alessandro De Felice)
Fifteen months after his resignation, Maurizio Sarri has as soon as once more embraced the Lazio mission. Or quite, the Lazio atmosphere. Sure, as a result of confronted with far larger difficulties than these encountered in his first stint and the disagreeable shock of a blocked switch market, the Tuscan coach selected to as soon as once more decide to the biancocelesti colours, confirming his need to guide the workforce regardless of numerous challenges.
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Out of Europe and with out the chance to behave within the switch market and bolster the squad with gamers extra suited to his type of soccer, after the revolution of the earlier summer season with Baroni’s arrival and the high-profile departures of Luis Alberto, Felipe Anderson, and Ciro Motionless, Sarri is coping with issues associated to the standard and measurement of a non-ideal squad for his footballing philosophy and numerically skinny, reworking a workforce destined for anonymity into one able to being an outsider within the race for a European spot.
The victory in Parma was emblematic on this sense, as had been Provedel’s clear sheets. Sarri’s imprint is clear and has reignited the passion of a disenchanted fanbase, which has been rekindled above all by the work and robust phrases of their Commander.
2️⃣ Antonio Conte (Alessio D’Errico)
After a disastrous season that knocked Napoli out of European competitions and drained the passion of a whole metropolis, Antonio Conte proudly rebuilt the dignity of a workforce humiliated throughout Italy and Europe. Brick by brick, he constructed a path that he himself referred to as a “miracle,” managing to problem Inter for the Scudetto till the tip, bringing house the fourth Tricolore in Napoli’s historical past.
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In the summertime, he recommitted to Napoli and within the second half of the 12 months, regardless of signings which have but to completely ship and a wave of accidents, he stays hooked up to the highest of the desk, displaying nice tactical flexibility. This final facet might be probably the most shocking of a Conte 2.0 who solely must shed the label (rightly) given to him for his typically inadequate European outcomes.
3️⃣ VINCENZO ITALIANO (Diego D’Avanzo)
The danger that Bologna would grow to be a one season surprise after Thiago Motta was very excessive: Vincenzo Italiano took the bench and “modified every little thing in order that nothing would change”. In truth, he modified Bologna’s trophy cupboard with the 2024/25 Coppa Italia: the primary trophy since 1999 (Intertoto Cup).
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Final 12 months’s Champions League run shouldn’t be deceptive – let’s keep in mind the win towards Dortmund – nor ought to the ninth place within the league: with simply 8 extra factors, Juventus certified for the Champions League. However above all, Vincenzo Italiano is entertaining the followers: an attacking type (albeit much less excessive than what we noticed in Florence) that satisfies and pays off, as a result of Bologna is at all times within the Europa Zone. Nonetheless, their wage invoice stays solely the eleventh highest in Serie A: whose advantage is that? We already know.
4️⃣ Antonio Conte (Emanuele Garbato)
Veni, vidi, vici. Napoli hadn’t gained two titles in the identical season because the days of Diego Armando Maradona, and he managed it with disarming ease. The Scudetto in his first 12 months after a tenth-place end, a home specialty enriched by the January sale of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However past his traditional means to show a workforce round in a couple of months and make them the title, there’s far more within the coach’s work.
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The Azzurri wore many alternative tactical outfits, always giving up key gamers to damage. In emergencies, he discovered inventive options to bounce again; after setbacks, he managed to regroup and grow to be extra stable than ever. Antonio Conte took one of the crucial necessary golf equipment of the final 10 years and turned it into the workforce to beat. 2025 was a 12 months of dominance, and in 2026 the sensible evolution will must be proven in Europe as effectively.
5️⃣ Davide Nicola (Marco Alessandri)
Okay, he’s not a front-page title and possibly by no means can be. However what a job – as soon as once more – Davide Nicola has executed. First, he secured security for Cagliari with out a lot bother, who now appear to be having some points with Pisacane.
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Then got here the Cremonese masterpiece, no less than up up to now. A newly promoted workforce with 21 factors after 16 matches, taking part in enticing soccer, sitting 9 factors above the relegation zone, and having revitalized Jamie Vardy, who arrived in Serie A on the venerable age of 38. In between, a sequence of peculiar and pride-worthy outcomes, above all of the 2-1 win at Milan on their debut. Maybe an underrated coach, however actually a beneficial one. Nicely executed!
6️⃣ Raffaele Palladino (Matteo Rimoldi)
Taking on from Vincenzo Italiano at Fiorentina was no simple process. Sky-high expectations, a demanding fanbase, and impressive possession made it a troublesome check for anybody. But the large leap from Monza didn’t scare Raffaele Palladino: quite the opposite, it impressed him.
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The sensible begin to the league satisfied even probably the most skeptical from the outset, setting the tone for a season that ended with out trophies however was stuffed with positives. The revival of Moise Kean underneath his steerage, the Convention League semifinal misplaced to Betis, and above all of the sixth place in Serie A, one of the best end result in comparison with Italiano’s final two seasons, say lots in regards to the work he’s executed.
What partially tainted his chapter in Florence was the contract termination on the finish of the season, additionally on account of friction with Pradé, who was then sacked a couple of months later. However Fiorentina’s horror begin this season solely additional highlights how good a job Palladino did.
If we add to all this his arrival on the Atalanta bench after Juric’s dismissal, the image is evident: Palladino might have been a misplaced wager after leaving Monza, however as a substitute, with competence and humility, he’s proving he can deal with much more formidable golf equipment. Little question about it: high marks.
7️⃣ Claudio Ranieri (Vincenzo Visco)
Claudio Ranieri has left a profound and decisive mark on Roma’s latest resurgence. His return was not only a technical alternative, however an act of stability and imaginative and prescient at a fragile second. Ranieri restored order, giving again id and confidence to a misplaced group, working first on their minds after which on their legs. That’s how Roma restarted: compact, stable, conscious of their strengths. The outcomes have licensed the journey.
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Within the calendar 12 months, the Giallorossi are the workforce that has collected probably the most factors in Serie A, returning to the highest of the league and consolidating themselves as a benchmark. However Ranieri’s biggest legacy was trying forward. He ready the bottom for the long run, indicating and supporting the selection of Gian Piero Gasperini as his successor. A well-thought-out handover, which delivered to the previous Atalanta coach a structured, fertile Roma able to develop much more.
8️⃣ Antonio Conte (Damiano Benzoni)
Profitable a Scudetto in Naples is difficult, DEFENDING a Scudetto in Naples is a singular feat: if anybody feared that Spalletti’s departure may sink the Partenopei, Antonio Conte has proven everybody that he hasn’t misplaced the contact that has seen him win trophies wherever he’s gone. The 2024/25 title was a masterpiece of tenacity and teamwork, in true Antonio Conte type, and what’s most convincing in regards to the new period is how the Salento coach is managing to keep up performances even this 12 months, regardless of many accidents and the necessity to change formations.
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After all, there are nonetheless points to resolve, such because the coexistence of KDB and McTominay when the Belgian returns from damage. However in a league and not using a clear chief, Napoli is maintaining tempo and Conte even appears to have modified his pores and skin, discovering himself defusing controversies and reinventing himself – out of necessity – but once more.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 CARLO HERMANN – AFP or licensors