At long last, Serie A is back. January 4 sees the Italian top flight play its traditional New Year fixture, with all sides in action through the course of the day.
As the World Cup begins in Qatar, one major nation is conspicuous by its absence.
Since winning the tournament in 2006, Italy has failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and failed to get out of the Group Stage of the competition in 2010 and 2014.
That’s all while winning Euro 2020 under boss Roberto Mancini last summer too.
Yet while the Azzurri will undoubtedly be missed, there are plenty of links to the Bel Paese to look out for this winter.
After 15 games, Serie A will now take a break for the World Cup until the beginning of 2023.
But with less than half of the season played, how’s it looking at the top?
Napoli has proven to be unstoppable up until now, their 3-2 win over a Udinese side that has enjoyed some success themselves this season a keen indicator that they were determined to reach the break with a win.