Football Season Guide

Hellas Verona return to the top flight of Italian football just one year after falling to Serie B. They were expected to dominate the league but only achieved promotion at the very end after two dramatic legs against Cittadella in the playoff finals. Coach Alfredo Aglietti, who led them in the final and decisive 7 games of the campaign, was not confirmed at the helm, as the management preferred to hire Ivan Juric. The latter did well with Crotone in Serie B but his 3 stints at Genoa in Serie A all ended with unavoidable sackings. Relying on a rather limited budget, Hellas Verona had to count on several loanees for their past campaign and a few of them have had to quit: the regulars Gustafson, Matos and Laribi above all, while they managed to renew some others’ deals or turn them into permanent ones. This was certainly the case for Di Carmine, Dawidowicz, Di Gaudio and Marrone. In terms of new signings, they obtained some new players on loan, while also hiring some free agents. So, for the goal they picked an alternative to Silvestri in Radunovic. For the defence, they signed Bocchetti, whose Russian adventure has come to an end, Rrahmani from Dinamo Zagreb and Gun-ter, who had little opportunity to shine at Genoa. They could all make the starting eleven. In the midfield, they had Bessa’s return, while also signing a few players in need of redemption, Ve-loso, Badu and Lazovic, while Verre did well in Serie B but still has to impose himself at the top level. For the attack, the experienced Pazzini, who has a love-hate relationship with the club, will be joined by the talented Tutino. Hellas Verona are still a work in progress and they need to sign both defenders and midfielders with some experience in Serie A.