Football Season Guide

The Summer 2011 should be remembered by Chievo Verona supporters as a rather amazing one. In fact, first of all, coach Pioli, who had led the team to an incredibly quiet safety just in May, left for Palermo after one season only. Then, several players who had contributed substantially to the reaching of safety left as well. This is certainly the case of Fernandes, Constant, Mantovani and, to a lesser degree, Guana and Marcolini. So, Pioli was unexpectedly replaced by Di Carlo, who had obtained two safeties in a row with Chievo Verona before sinking with Titanic/Sampdoria. His return clearly represents a major doubt since his recent experience must have left a deep mark on him. However, the transfer campaign was not only characterized by a great number of excellent departures. As it always happens in President Campedelli's club, a great number of unknown players have arrived from the lower tiers and from abroad. At a first look, the signings of Paloschi and Hetemaj should represent the feathers in the cap of this campaign. For the first time in several years, captain Pellissier will have a partner as competitive as him. Thus, Chievo Verona will no longer have to rely only on his goals. The former Brescia midfielder will certainly get a place in the midfield such as Peruan Cruzado, who shone during the latest Copa America. In his past experience with Chievo Verona, Di Carlo used to adopt a 4-3-1-2 formation. Now, he could opt for a 3-5-2 one. With Sorrentino on the way to Palermo, Puggioni should become the regular goalkeeper. Acerbi is likely to find some place in the defence, hoping he can be a valid alternative to Mantovani, now in Palermo. After a rather troublesome season, during which he was always injured, Luciano should make it back in the starting eleven.