The sun will still hit the Stadio Olimpico just right, the espresso will stil...

Here’s how I see the top eight shaking out in 2025-26, based on projected performance, a bit of gut feeling, and a whole lot of watching these guys week in and week out.

The Last Line of Defense

8. Michele Di Gregorio (Monza/Juventus)

Look, the whispers around Di Gregorio heading to Juventus are getting louder. If he makes that jump, he’s got the opportunity to prove himself on a bigger stage. At Monza in 2023-24, he notched 14 clean sheets and a respectable 78% save percentage, conceding just 1.03 goals per 90. His distribution accuracy was 72%, solid enough for a team that doesn't always play out from the back. The jump to Juve means more pressure, but also a better defense in front of him. I think he settles in, but the initial phase will be a test. He’s got the athleticism; it’s the mental game under the Turin spotlight that will define his season.

7. Etrit Berisha (Empoli)

This is my curveball, and I'm ready for the hate mail. Berisha is criminally underrated. He’s been around, played for Atalanta, Torino, and most recently Empoli, where he managed 9 clean sheets in 2023-24, pulling off a 77% save percentage. More importantly, his 1.15 goals conceded per 90 is impressive considering the quality of defense ahead of him. His distribution accuracy sits around 75%. He's a commanding presence, and for a mid-table side, he’s a rock. If Empoli or another similar club keeps him as their number one, he'll be a high-volume shot-stopper. He might not have the flashy highlight reels, but he's efficient.

6. Alex Meret (Napoli)

Meret has always had the talent, but consistency has been his biggest battle. After Napoli’s Scudetto season, where he had 16 clean sheets and a 79% save percentage, 2023-24 was a tougher ride for the entire team, with Meret managing just 8 clean sheets and a 74% save percentage. His goals conceded per 90 jumped from 0.81 to 1.34. The key for 2025-26 will be Napoli’s overall stability. If they sort out their defensive issues, Meret will shine again. His distribution is usually pinpoint, hovering around 82%. He’s got the shot-stopping ability; it’s the chaos around him that sometimes makes him look worse than he is.

5. Rui Patrício (Roma)

Yeah, he’s getting older, but Patrício is still a top-tier professional. The experience he brings is invaluable. In 2023-24, he recorded 10 clean sheets for Roma with a 76% save percentage, conceding 1.1 goals per 90. His distribution accuracy is a solid 78%. He’s not going to make the impossible saves anymore, but he makes the saves he *should* make, and he commands his area with authority. For a team like Roma, who often rely on defensive solidity, Patrício's calm presence is a massive asset. He's one of those keepers who makes his defenders feel secure.

4. Łukasz Skorupski (Bologna)

Bologna's rise has been one of the stories of Serie A, and Skorupski has been a huge part of it. He's a consistent performer, year in and year out. In 2023-24, he racked up 15 clean sheets, an impressive 79% save percentage, and conceded a measly 0.95 goals per 90. His distribution accuracy sits at a respectable 76%, often launching quick counter-attacks. He's incredibly reliable, rarely makes a mistake, and has a knack for big saves in critical moments. If Bologna continues its trajectory, Skorupski will be right there, leading from the back.

3. Yann Sommer (Inter Milan)

Sommer came to Inter and proved all the doubters wrong, including me, to some extent. His relatively smaller stature was a talking point, but his positioning and reflexes are elite. In his first Serie A season, he had a league-leading 19 clean sheets, a stellar 82% save percentage, and conceded just 0.68 goals per 90. His distribution accuracy was 80%, consistently finding his teammates. He reads the game brilliantly and is a master of sweeping behind his defense. He might be 37 by 2025-26, but his game isn't reliant on athleticism that will diminish rapidly. He'll still be a top performer for Inter.

2. Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham – but hypothetically back in Serie A)

Okay, this is a bit of a cheat, but hear me out. If by some miracle Vicario came back to Serie A for 2025-26, he’d immediately be one of the best. His time at Empoli and then Tottenham has shown his incredible shot-stopping ability and modern goalkeeping skills. In his last Serie A season (2022-23 for Empoli), he had 7 clean sheets, an 80% save percentage, and conceded 1.2 goals per 90 for a struggling side. His distribution accuracy was 76%. He’s got everything – reflexes, command of his box, and good footwork. He’s a complete keeper. If he’s back, he’s elite.

1. Mike Maignan (AC Milan)

Despite some injury concerns, Maignan is still the gold standard in Serie A. When he's healthy, there's no better all-around goalkeeper. He's a major factor. In 2023-24, despite missing some time, he still managed 10 clean sheets, an 81% save percentage, and conceded 0.9 goals per 90. His distribution accuracy is phenomenal, often hitting long-range passes at 85% success. He's a leader, an incredible shot-stopper, and essentially an extra outfield player with his feet. Milan relies on him heavily, and he delivers. He has the presence, the skill, and the attitude. He’s the top dog.

My bold prediction? By the end of the 2025-26 season, Di Gregorio will have established himself as a legitimate starter for Juventus, proving his worth despite the monumental pressure, and will be pushing for a top-5 spot.