Football Season Guide

Even though they had a rather troubled beginning of the season, coach Corini, the hero of the previous two salvations, ended up being fired due to a highly negative streak, and they displayed the next-to-worst attack of the whole Serie A, netting only 28 goals in 38 games, in the past campaign Chievo Verona succeeded obtaining a quiet safety with plenty of advance. The key to their safety was represented by the outstandingly tight defence built by coach Maran around Bizzarri. So tight that they conceded just 41 goals, ending up with the fourth defence of the league. Considering the results obtained in the past campaign, the management decided to confirm Maran and the backbone of the squad, while providing just a few adjustments in order to strengthen what was by far their weakest department, the attack that is. Zukanovic, to Sampdoria, undoubtedly was their major loss during the transfer campaign while Schelotto and all the others who went back to their parent clubs should not be missed at all. So, in a 4-4-1-1, 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bizarri solidly in goals, Cacciatore and Frey should be contending for a place at right-back while Gobbi, a survivor of Parma’s catastrophe, should act on the left with Cesar, Gamberini and Dainelli rotating in the heart of the defence. Izco, Hetemaj and Radovanovic will be playing in the middle of the park with the newcomers Pepe and Castro, who are both in need of a redemption from unlucky seasons, to join Birsa as candidates for the flanks. Paloschi, whose goals undoubtedly weighed a lot in the last campaigns, will still be leading the attack supported by Mpoku, whose experience with Cagliari was quite positive, and the everlasting Pellissier, who is still scoring some heavy goals despite his 36 years. However, the management are still looking for another striker, Rolando Bianchi in particular, feeling that they might still be a bit too light up-front.