8 Best Reasons to Watch Serie A This Season

Serie A has been enthralling this season with plenty of drama, high-quality football and surprises throughout.

It has previously been labeled as a league in decline which produces boring, defensive football.

This season however, has shattered those stereotypes and won some new friends, proving to be thoroughly entertaining.

On this evidence, we can safely predict that despite losing a Champions League place, as of next season, Serie A is returning to prominence.

Here are eight reasons you need to tune in each week.

SSC Napoli

Now that most of the world have experienced Walter Mazzarri's Napoli after their wonderful run in this season's Champions League, football fans should check them out each week in Serie A.

Napoli have become a joy to watch each week. They produce a unique brand of football and stick to their principles no matter what.

Mazzarri has implemented the 3-4-2-1 formation, which has charmed calcio fans since their return to Serie A in 2007. Their style is often different to their opponents, which makes for an entertaining match.

Fast-flowing, counterattacking football at its best is on show each week with Napoli, and their protagonists are staking a claim to be some of Europe's best players.

The magical trident of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani will not be there for long, though, as many of Europe's biggest clubs have been circling like vultures to prize Napoli's jewels away.

In all likelihood, one of the three tenors will be sold this summer, so make sure you enjoy the remaining 11 matches while they remain together.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly worth watching each week, as he is in the middle of his best ever season.

The Sweden international is often labelled as overrated by the English media, but Zlatan has been far from it this season, with 19 goals in 21 games along with seven assists.

Ibra has developed in to a unique type of player who enjoys leading the line as Milan's main forward, but also tends to drop deeper in order to create far more than he ever used to.

His form has been a joy to behold with clinical finishing, wonderfully disguised through-balls and some of the best flicks and tricks you are ever likely to see.

So make the effort to watch a Milan game and see what all the fuss is really about.

The Renaissance of Juventus

Juventus have stormed back in to contention for the Scudetto this season after several years in the doldrums after the Calciopoli scandal of 2006.

The Bianconeri remain unbeaten in the league under Antonio Conte and are Milan's main challengers for the title, just four points back.

It is fascinating to see one of Europe's greatest ever clubs rejuvenated, and their return to prominence will only strengthen Italian football.

Andrea Pirlo has been pulling the strings and is still one of Europe's best passers and free-kick takers.

A new era for The Old Lady has just begun, and Champions League football looks set to be unveiled at the spectacular Juventus Stadium next season, as Juve are seven points clear of Napoli in fourth spot right now.

Juve are a club on the rise, and with their new stadium now sold out for almost every game, they are set to become a dominant force in European football once more.

Some of Football's Best Young Managers

Italy tend to produce Europe's best managers, and a new generation is coming through right now in Serie A, all with their own ideologies and styles to invigorate the league.

Vincenzo Montella is the latest. The 37-year-old has taken the reigns at Catania, who have proven to be the league's surprise package this season. L'Aeroplanino has guided the Elefanti in to the top half of the league with a stylish brand of attacking football.

Massimiliano Allegri is forging a legacy for himself at Milan as he sets his sights on retaining the Scudetto with the Rossoneri. At only 44 years old, the former Cagliari man has a wonderful future ahead of him, which seems to be with Milan for the foreseeable future.

Credit should be awarded to Allegri for transforming Milan's style away from Carlo Ancelotti's great side and stamping his own identity on the team.

Antonio Conte is enjoying his first season in charge with Juventus and has relished the opportunity to work with significant resources, as he has been entrusted in revitalising this sleeping giant.

The former Bianconero's work has been interesting thus far with plenty of positives as well as some negatives that he will learn from in order to help him become one of Serie A's elite coaches. Conte has shown great tactical variety by altering his formation from 4-2-4 to 4-3-3 and even 3-5-2 on the odd occasion.

Luis Enrique is also worth a mention given that he is the only foreign manager in the league, which is a hint as to why Italy has produced so many top managers in its history. Fundamentally, it is down to the opportunities afforded to its homegrown coaches.

Roma have entrusted their latest project with the former-Barcelona star who, at 41 years old, is beginning his first appointment at a top-flight club. More on the former Barcelona B manager and his Roma later.

Serie A has become a playground for the world's greatest managers who look to outwit each other in one of football's toughest tactical environments; be sure to experience it each week.

Inter Milan's Rebuilding Project

Inter Milan have endured a torrid season as the Nerazzurri enter a transitional phase in their history.

Jose Mourinho's legendary two years spoilt the fans and presented continuous success that was not sustainable. Now, the side is fading fast, and the president, Massimo Moratti, has entrusted Claudio Ranieri for the time being to oversee this period of change.

Inter are no less interesting, though, without their dominance, as their persistent errors have made for some enthralling matches while they still possess some undoubted quality from some aging stars that make them a force to treated seriously still.

Many young players such as Ricardo Alvarez, Joel Obi, Luc Castaignos, Marco Faraoni and Andrea Poli are supposed to ensure a smooth transition away from the Mourinho era, but Moratti knows further investment in the summer is required.

But for now, enjoy the trainwreck that is the Nerazzurri, with plenty of highs and lows still awaiting us in the remaining fixtures.

Roma Revolution Under Thomas DeBenedetto

Roma have begun their new regime under Thomas DeBenedetto in a mixed fashion with some promising signs and some frustrating moments.

Luis Enrique's football philosophy is admirable, but at times, it can be painful to see him force it upon his side in one of the toughest environments in football to experiment in. The ideas are clear to see, and the slick pass-and-move style has already impressed many calcio fans.

With a group of gifted young players, Roma seem capable of emerging as a contender for the scudetto for many years to come, and it is a super opportunity at this moment to experience the first stages of what should be a successful project.

The Giallorossi have gone about their business with a certain swagger, which has been part of their downfall in overhauling their system so quickly.

The expectations were relatively low to begin with, but the new owners will want to see signs of progression in the closing moments of this season to be assured that Enrique can deliver substantial success in his second season.

Competition and Strength in Depth

Serie A has become one of the strongest leagues in Europe in terms of its strength in depth. Proof of this is the race to represent Italy in next season's Champions League. The final place is currently occupied by Lazio, but there remain four other strong contenders in Napoli, Udinese, Roma and Inter Milan.

The fact that Italy has seven different sides that could represent them in next season's Champions League is credit to the clubs for attracting high-quality players in the years before and during their prime, which has allowed for a quick cycle at the top.

For example, Inter Milan have been a dominant force in Serie A for the last decade, but are now faced with the prospect of no European football whatsoever from next season. Given the league's strength, guaranteed Champions League football is no longer possible during a transitional season in this league.

It has made for a league with plenty of drama and surprises along the way.

Europe's Next Best Players, Lamela and Jovetic

Serie A is full of extraordinarily talented players, and it is the perfect league for them develop both technically and physically in order to fulfil their potential.

Here are two players that I feel should be monitored throughout the remainder of the season and beyond, as both could be considered among the best in Europe in the near future.

Erik Lamela, Roma: The Argentine has not disappointed since his €19 million transfer from River Plate last summer. The 19-year-old is an exceptionally gifted playmaker with a burst of pace that enables him to thrive both in wide areas as well as centrally. 

Stevan Jovetic, Fiorentina: Another player who is destined for a massive future and could well be set for a huge transfer this summer. Jovetic is the complete striker and has carried the Viola this season, who would almost certainly be relegated without him. With a wonderful touch and close control, Jovetic can drift past opponents with ease, but has become more clinical in front of goal this season with 12 goals in 16 games.

Jack Alexandros is a football analyst for Football Radar covering Serie A. You can follow him on Twitter @jackalexandros and @FRcalcioJack.