The idyllic pause of summer holidays is officially over for Italy`s top football clubs. As the vibrant Italian sun dips lower, signalling the approach of autumn, the twenty forces of Serie A are trading their well-deserved downtime for the rigorous demands of pre-season preparation. With the 2025-26 campaign slated to kick off on August 23rd, the next few weeks represent a critical period of physical conditioning, tactical fine-tuning, and team cohesion. It’s a carefully choreographed dance of drills, strategy, and high-stakes friendlies, all set against the constant murmur of the transfer market.
The Unsung Importance of Summer Preparation
While the glamour of league matches and European nights dominates the football calendar, the pre-season is arguably where championships are forged. It`s a time for players to shed any holiday rust, regain peak physical condition, and for managers to imbed new tactical systems or integrate fresh faces into the squad. From gruelling fitness sessions to the strategic interplay on the training pitch, every moment is designed to build a robust foundation for the intense competitive season ahead.
This period also offers a crucial opportunity for clubs to test their mettle against a variety of opponents, ranging from local amateur sides in the initial days to formidable European giants in high-profile international friendlies. These matches not only serve as vital practice but also as showcases for new signings and emerging talent, giving fans a tantalizing glimpse of what to expect.
The Grand Tour: Serie A Clubs Hit the Road
The training camps themselves vary widely, from the traditional mountain retreats offering fresh air and solitude to extensive international tours designed to broaden brand appeal and test teams against diverse footballing philosophies. Let`s delve into how each Serie A club is preparing for the season`s inaugural whistle.
Atalanta
- Training Camp: Zingonia (from July 15)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Atalanta Under 23 (July 26), vs. RB Leipzig (Aug 2), vs. FC Köln (Aug 9)
Bologna
- Training Camp: Casteldebole (July 12), Valles (July 15-26)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Virtus Verona (July 20), Triangular with Sassuolo and Sudtirol (July 26), vs. VfB Stuttgart (Aug 9)
Cagliari
- Training Camp: Asseminello (July 10), Ponte di Legno (July 13-22), Linz, Austria (July 23-26)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Galatasaray (July 23), vs. Hannover 96 (July 26), vs. Saint-Étienne (Aug 2)
Como
- Training Camp: Mozzate (July 11-22), Marbella (July 23-27)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Lille (July 18), Quadrangular with Al Ahli, Ajax, and Celtic (July 23-27)
Cremonese
- Training Camp: Cremona (until July 26), Livigno (July 27 – Aug 4)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Torino (July 26), vs. Pro Patria (Aug 3)
Fiorentina
- Training Camp: Viola Park (July 14-27), England Tour (until Aug 9)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Leicester City (Aug 3), vs. Nottingham Forest (Aug 5), vs. Manchester United (Aug 9)
Genoa
- Training Camp: Pegli (July 14), Moena (July 15-27)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Kaiserslautern (July 19), Triangular with Villarreal and Oviedo (July 31), vs. Rennes (Aug 9)
Hellas Verona
- Training Camp: Verona (July 10), Folgaria (July 13-27)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Rovereto (July 20), vs. Virtus Verona (July 27), vs. Südtirol (Aug 3)
Inter Milan
- Training Camp: Appiano Gentile (from July 26)
- Key Friendlies: To be officially announced; anticipating four summer clashes, including one against Monza.
Juventus
- Training Camp: Continassa (July 25 – Aug 1), Herzogenaurach, Germany (Aug 2-9)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Borussia Dortmund (Aug 10)
Lazio
- Training Camp: Formello (July 14-26)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Avellino (July 26), vs. Fenerbahçe (July 30), vs. Galatasaray (Aug 2), vs. Burnley (Aug 9)
Lecce
- Training Camp: Acaya Golf Resort & SPA (from July 11), Bressanone (July 21 – Aug 4)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Spezia (July 27), vs. Carrarese (Aug 3)
AC Milan
- Training Camp: Milanello (until July 18), then Asia & Australia Tour (from July 19)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Arsenal (July 23), vs. Liverpool (July 26), vs. Leeds United (Aug 9), vs. Chelsea (Aug 10)
Napoli
- Training Camp: Castel Volturno (July 15), Dimaro (July 17-27), Castel di Sangro (July 30 – Aug 14)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Brest (Aug 3), vs. Girona (Aug 9), vs. Olympiacos (Aug 13)
Parma
- Training Camp: Collecchio (July 13-20), Neustift (from July 21)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Werder Bremen (July 26), vs. Mallorca (July 31), vs. Heidenheim (Aug 9)
Pisa
- Training Camp: Pisa (July 9), Morgex (July 17-31)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Empoli (July 30), vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Aug 5), vs. Augsburg (Aug 8)
Roma
- Training Camp: Trigoria (July 13 – Aug 1), Burton Upon Trent, UK (Aug 3-9)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Kaiserslautern (July 26), vs. Lens (Aug 2), vs. Aston Villa (Aug 6), vs. Everton (Aug 9)
Sassuolo
- Training Camp: Ronzone (July 11-28)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Trento (July 23), Triangular with Bologna and Sudtirol (July 26), vs. Empoli (Aug 5)
Torino
- Training Camp: Filadelfia (July 8-13), Prato allo Stelvio (July 14-26)
- Key Friendlies: vs. Ingolstadt (July 19), vs. Cremonese (July 26), vs. Valencia (Aug 9)
Udinese
- Training Camp: Udine (July 3-20), Lienz (July 21 – Aug 2)
- Key Friendlies: vs. NK Opatija (July 18), vs. Werder Bremen (Aug 9)
Note: Some dates and opponents are subject to change as clubs finalize their schedules. Always consult official club channels for the most up-to-date information.
The Anticipation Builds
This summer gambit, a blend of gruelling physical demands and strategic international exposure, is much more than just a warm-up. It`s the critical precursor to what promises to be another thrilling Serie A season. As the calendar pages turn towards August 23rd, the diligent work of the pre-season will culminate in the ultimate test: the battle for Scudetto glory. Fans worldwide eagerly await the return of the beautiful game, and these summer preparations are the first exciting chapters in the new season`s unfolding narrative.
