The curtains have officially closed on the latest football season, with the Club World Cup final providing a definitive endpoint. As the dust settles on the pitch, a different kind of preparation phase kicks into high gear for a dedicated segment of fans: the strategists of Italian fantasy football.
For the uninitiated, fantasy football in Italy, often centered around the popular “Fantacampionato” based on Serie A, is less a casual pastime and more a rigorous intellectual pursuit. And for these committed “fantallenatori” (fantasy managers), there is little time for post-season repose.
The signal that the new campaign is truly approaching arrived today. The first official player list and their initial market values – the all-important “quotazioni” – for the 2025-26 Serie A season have been unveiled. This crucial resource, traditionally published as a dedicated section in a major sports newspaper, marks the definitive starting point for team building and strategy formulation.
Spanning a double-page spread, this initial list provides the vital data needed to begin constructing theoretical squads. It compiles the expected participants of the upcoming Serie A, assigning a starting value to each player based on pre-season expectations and recent performance. For fantasy managers, this document is akin to a tactical blueprint for the months ahead.
The list offers a fascinating mix of confirmed talent and potential future stars. High-profile arrivals and established league giants are naturally featured with significant market values – names like Luka Modric, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jonathan David are highlighted as potential top-tier acquisitions for fantasy squads. These are the players expected to anchor teams and deliver consistent high scores.
Beyond the marquee signings, the list also includes familiar faces looking for a renaissance. Veterans of the Italian league, perhaps seeking a new lease on their careers or a return to form, are also assessed. Figures like Ciro Immobile or Edin Dzeko might offer intriguing options for managers banking on their experience and goal-scoring pedigree.
Loyal point-getters, those players who consistently perform without always grabbing headlines, are also present. The list acknowledges the value of reliable players such as Riccardo Orsolini or Scott McTominay, who might be fantasy mainstays. Crucially, it also incorporates emerging young players identified during early training camps or through pre-season buzz. These potential “scommesse” (bets) represent the high-risk, high-reward element of fantasy drafting – players with low initial values who could become season-defining bargains.
It is, of course, important to remember that the transfer market remains open for a considerable period – over a month and a half, to be precise. Player movements will undoubtedly occur, affecting both player values and availability on future list updates. However, possessing this initial list allows managers to get a crucial head start, refine their understanding of player values, and begin plotting their draft strategies or auction tactics.
The real games are still weeks away, but for the dedicated community of Serie A fantasy football managers, the season countdown has accelerated dramatically. With the release of the first official player list, the intricate process of building a winning team, identifying hidden gems, and planning for bonus points has officially commenced. Leaving preparations to the last minute is not the style of a serious “fantallenatore,” and this list provides the essential tools to avoid just that.