Football Season Guide

The last Serie A campaign was disastrous for Verona, they ended at the very bottom of the table having collected only 28 points. An awful beginning was lethal, they had to wait 22 rounds before picking up a victory. Despite the change on the bench, from Mandorlini (on the gialloblu bench for 5 years!) to Del Neri, the signs of recovery have been few and nevertheless arrived too late. Yet there had been no warnings for a such a disappointing outcome, after their return in the top flight two years ago, the Veneti surprised everyone finishing both seasons with a comfortable mid-table placement, it seemed that coach Mandorlini had established and consolidated Verona as a Serie A club again. Del Neri left after relegation and in June the club decided to appoint Fabio Pecchia as new coach, maybe a gamble considering his lack of experience. Despite relegation Hellas managed to keep most of the players, that means they can now count on a very competitive team made of higher category players such as Pazzini, Viviani, Gomez, Greco and Jankovic. In addition during the summer transfer market they further strengthened the squad taking on loan important players like young striker Ganz, Argentinian fantasista Zuculini, centre-back Caracciolo and playmaker Fossati. The main departures were the ones of goalkeepers Gollini and Rafael, well replaced by former Trapani Nicolas, midfielder Ionita and centre-back Moras. However the only gap that will be impossible to fill is the one left by Luca Toni (48 goals in 95 games with Hellas!) who has decided to retire. Meanwhile the gialloblu had an excellent approach to the new season by reaching the fourth round of Coppa Italia (at the end of November they will face Bologna) defeating Foggia and Crotone.