Can AS Roma and Napoli dismantle Juventus from the top of the perch?

At the start of 2013-14 season, A.S. Roma and S.S.C. Napoli were primed to fight Juventus tooth and nail for the title. Roma were a contender as they redefined themselves around an attacking possession based football under Rudi Garcia. While Napoli under their mercurial manager Rafa Benitez worked wonders in transfer market by signing big names like Higuain, Mertens, Callejon etc. But Napoli could only falter in their title challenge falling to 3rd place while Roma eventually finished 2nd with 85 points, 17 behind the league champions Juventus who under Antonio Conte steamrolled past the opposition and only lost 2 games all season - making it look easy for the teams behind them.
Roma started the campaign really strong, as one of the best and most clinical sides in Europe. They went on a 10 match winning streak at the start of season. Moreover it was until the 18th match which they lost to champions Juventus. But they lost their consistency after they lost key matches and eventually lost their form. Roma only conceded 25 goals in 38 matches, highlighting their defensive capabilities. But Destro and Totti had only scored 23 goals between them. If they can sign a world-class striker who can score 20 goals+ a season, they should have no trouble doing well in both the Champions League and Serie A title. Full-back Ashley Cole, midfielder Urby Emanuelson and Porto wonder kid Juan Iturbe have signed for Roma. The loss of midfield maestro and Dutch playmaker Kevin Strootman in January was a big void left in the centre of midfield alongside Pjanic and De Rossi. If they have players fit, they can challenge the Bianconerri or the black and white Juventus to make for an intriguing rivalry.
Coming back to Naples the big question remains if this is the Scudetto year for Napoli? A decade after instigating Napoli’s rebirth, De Laurentiis has created a club compliant with Financial Fair Play regulations, that genuinely challenges for the Scudetto and that represents a credible European force. Napoli went on to achieve successive two Champions League adventures and win two Italian Cups. And under Rafa Benitez the club has retained core players like Hamsik, Inler, Insigne and added Michu on loan becoming a serious title challenger.

Roma and Napoli have qualified for the UEFA Champions League this season, which they will be hoping to not act as a distraction from their domestic competition. Roma and Napoli are strong challengers and contenders for the Serie A title, but they will need to keep their consistency and fitness at a high level. Both have proved that they are an improved side in recent years, and the drive and hunger of their management to win titles and strong transfer business suggests that they are ready to fill the void created by an average Inter Milan and AC Milan sides. Juventus have dominated it for a few years. But loosing Conte this season and an unnerved Vidal on the team sheet, time is ripe for Roma and Napoli to go for the kill. This season’s has all the background to become a Serie A classic.