Former Lazio and Italy striker Ciro Immobile has named Inter Milan as the clear favourites to defend their Serie A title next season, warning that AC Milan, Napoli and Juventus must significantly strengthen to mount a credible challenge.
Speaking to Football Italia, Immobile praised Inter’s consistency and squad depth under Simone Inzaghi, who led them to a dominant Scudetto triumph in the 2025-26 campaign.
“Inter are the team to beat. They have a strong identity, a deep squad and a winning mentality. Milan, Napoli and Juventus must gear up if they want to fight for the Scudetto,” Immobile said.
The 36-year-old, who has scored over 200 Serie A goals, believes Inter’s stability gives them a significant edge, with key players like Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Barella forming a formidable core. He also pointed to Inzaghi’s tactical acumen as a major factor.
Milan, who finished third last season, are in transition under a new coach, while Napoli continue to rebuild after their title-winning campaign in 2022-23. Juventus, despite a strong financial footing, have yet to address glaring gaps in defence and attack – a concern highlighted by their reported pursuit of Fikayo Tomori from Milan.
Immobile’s remarks come amid a flurry of early transfer activity, with Juventus revisiting the Tomori deal. However, the veteran striker insists that simply spending money won’t be enough.
“It’s not just about buying players; it’s about building a project. Inter have done that brilliantly. The others need to find the same chemistry if they want to close the gap,” he added.
Inter, meanwhile, are expected to further reinforce their squad, with Inzaghi targeting a top-class midfielder to replace the ageing Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Nerazzurri are also confident of keeping hold of their prized assets, including Martínez, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League.
With the 2026-27 season just over a month away, Immobile’s warning serves as a timely reminder of the challenge facing Inter’s rivals. The Milanese giants head into pre-season as overwhelming favourites, and the pressure is firmly on the chasing pack to respond.