Serie A 2008-2009 Season Preview: A-C

By: Francesco | August 25th, 2008

Our beloved Serie A kicks off this weekend and it’s preview time. After thinking that last season was a tough season to predict, this season it becomes even tougher. There are so many quality sides in the top flight this season that it is really hard to predict who will finish where this season. It is shaping up to be a very interesting season and should be really fun to follow. (By the way did anyone catch that horrible FSC Serie A preview show? I had to turn it off after 5 minutes. It was really useless). Here is the preview (in alphabetical order) starting with clubs A-C. Tomorrow we’ll see F-L, followed by M-R, and then S-U. So let’s begin:

ATALANTA

The Orobici look to confirm themselves as a good mid-table Serie A side and get rid of the yo-yo club reputation they have had to carry for years. Last season Atalanta finished a very respectable 9th place, only 2 points away from an Intertoto place. Manager Gigi Del Neri likes to play a strict defensive 4-4-2 that relies on good counter-attacking play and the technical ability of Cristiano Doni, who when in form is very difficult to stop and can work magic with the ball. The problem with Doni is that sometimes he lets his emotions get the best of him and he is frequently suspended due to yellow card accumulation or red cards. To satisfy this problem, Atalanta has brought in Chilean attacking midfielder Jamie Valdes on a free transfer. He will most likely be Doni’s sub and understudy. Atalanta made some other good buys, bringing in Austrian right back Gyorgy Garics from Napoli and securing U21 and Roma youth product Alessio Cerci on loan. Cerci, a versatile player who can play in almost any attacking position, has loads of talent and is coming off an impressive year with Pisa in Serie B. Look for him to raise eyebrows. Another notable acquisition was Christian Vieri, who makes his return to Atalanta (admist protests from fans) and will most likely be used as a sub. The Atalanta fans didn’t want him but Vieri can provide valuable experience and a handful of goals. Italy U21 keeper Andrea Consigli was brought in to fight for a starting spot with Ferdinando Coppola. The coup of Atalanta’s transfer campaign however was securing Italy U21 midfielder Luca Cigarini on a co-ownership deal. Cigarini has loads of potential and will direct Atalanta’s midfield. Up front Sergio Floccari, who seems to improve every season, will look to have a big year. Midfielders Simone Padoin and Tiberio Guarante also come off impressive seasons. Atalanta have put together a really good squad and barring a disaster they should finish comfortably mid-table yet again.

Manager: Luigi Del Neri

Best Buy: Luca Cigarini- The Italy U21 midfielder has loads of potential and has been likened to Andrea Pirlo for the way he controls the play of the team. He should have a good year.

Probable Formation (4-4-1-1): Coppola; GARICS, Rivalta, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Guarente, CIGARINI, Padoin; Doni; Floccari.

BOLOGNA

Bologna return to Serie A after 3 seasons in Serie B. The management have invested around 20 million euro on new signings to assure the Rossoblu stay in Serie A. Manager Daniele Arrigoni likes to play a 4-4-2 and relies on experienced players to get the job done (the average age of the Bologna squad must be sky high). Bologna were the leaders in Serie B for a while last season but towards the end were overtaken by Chievo. They also had a proven goalscorer in Massimo Marazzina who hit a good number of goals. The whole squad has been revamped. Francesco Antonioli is still an excellent goalkeeper at his old age and Bologna can rely on the former Roma keeper to make some good saves. In defense Cristiano Zenoni and Salvatore Lanna have been brought in to defend the flanks, while Britos has been brought in to shore up the center. In midfield, Bologna did a great job in securing the services of Sergio Volpi, who knows how to control the midfield and dictate the tempo. Brazilian Coelho has been likened to Cafu and will play on the wing. Belgian midfielder Gaby Mudingayi was brought in from Lazio to be the workhorse in midfield. Up front, target man Marco Bernacci was brought from Ascoli after a very impressive year in Serie B and experienced striker Marco Di Vaio was bought from Genoa to provide experience and goals up front. On the bench there are some decent players, like Brazilian attacking midfielder Adailton who has a magical left foot, experienced midfielders Davide Bombardini and Christian Amoroso, and defenders Vangelis Moras and Claudio Terzi. Bologna aim to avoid the drop and with their squad it is doable.

Manager: Daniele Arrigoni

Best Buy: Sergio Volpi- the center midfielder has been one of the most consistent players in Serie A over the years and brings tons of experience and playmaking ability to Bologna’s midfield.

Probable Formation (4-4-2): Antonioli; C. ZENONI, Castellini, BRITOS, LANNA; COELHO, VOLPI, MUDINGAYI, Valiani; Marazzina, DI VAIO.

CAGLIARI

What can we say about Cagliari. The Sardinian side quite simply performed a miracle last season. After looking all set for the drop, Davide Ballardini was called in to take charge and led the squad (with key performances from Conti, Cossu, and Acquafresca) to a magical salvation. However owner Massimo Cellino is known to be a little on the crazy side and did not renew Ballardini’s contract this summer. Instead, he brought in ex-player Massimiliano Allegri to manage the squad. Last year Allegri led tiny northern club Sassuolo to a surprising promotion to Serie B. For the most part, Cagliari has not changed much at all. The starting line-up will be exactly the same as last season except for the goalkeeper, Federico Marchetti, who was brought in after a good season with Albinoleffe. Other new signings were 21 year old defender Davide Astori, and 24 year old midfielder Andrea Lazzari, who was one of the best midfielders in Serie B last season. The surprise of the season could be 17 year old striker Daniele Ragatzu, who has been impressive in the preseason. Otherwise, Cagliari will look towards their experienced players to pull off another salvation. Lopez and Canini should put together a good central defensive pairing, while Davide Biondini, Andrea Parola, and captain Daniele Conti will do all the work in midfield. The creative duties will be handed to Andrea Cossu. Cossu, a Cagliari native, was on loan at Serie C1 side Hellas Verona last season but was called back to base in January. He was placed into the starting line-up by Ballardini and immediately became an integral part of the Cagliari side, making countless assists, dribbles, and scoring crucial goals. He will look to have another good year. Up front Robert Acquafresca is back (on loan from Inter) and will have to confirm himself as a promising talent after netting 10 goals last season. He will most likely be partnered by Brazilian striker Jeda, who had a good year as well. On the bench are Alessandro Matri (who I still think is not a Serie A caliber player) and Argentine Joaquin Larrivey (who still has yet to impress). Cagliari’s inactivity in the transfer market may come back to haunt them as the season goes on, and they may not be able to perform another miracle.

Manager: Massimiliano Allegri

Best Buy: Andrea Lazzari- The young midfielder is very versatile and can play any position in midfield. He was one of the best midfielders in Serie B last season with Grosseto and should be able to confirm himself as a good Serie A player.

Probable Formation (4-3-1-2): MARCHETTI; Pisano, Lopez, Canini, Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Parola; Cossu; Acquafresca, Jeda.

CATANIA

The Sicilian side looks to have a good season after narrowly avoiding relegation the last two seasons. Walter Zenga seems to be very focused and really wants to turn Catania into a good midtable side instead of fighting for relegation. Catania, with the sale of Juan Vargas, made a good amount of money to spend on the transfer market and spent it wisely. Two Argentine midfielders were brought in- Ezequiel Carboni from Red Bull Salzburg and Pablo Ledesma from Boca Juniors. Both midfielders will play defensive roles in front of the defense. Zenga used his knowledge of Romanian football to bring in attacking midfielder Niculae Dica. Dica is a very technical player who can make the difference on a small Serie A side like Catania and should have a good year, especially when you have another technical player like Giuseppe Mascara playing right next to you. Mascara has been the talisman of this side, at times he can do things that are world class, but other times he can look like a Serie D player. Giacomo Tedesco is another player with excellent technique but he is also a very dirty player and gets in trouble with the referee often. Up front young striker Michele Paolucci was brought in to prove himself, and Zenga has shown faith in him during the preseason. However on the bench there is the experience of Gionatha Spinesi, who is a natural goalscorer. In midfield Davide Baiocco is the workhorse and inspirational captain. However the one thing that doesn’t convince me is the defense, which could have used an experienced central defender. Also in net it is unclear whether Zenga will go with Bizzarri, Polito, or new signing Kosicki. But then again Zenga, a former goalkeeper, should make a good decision in that department. All in all, Catania have a side capable of finishing comfortably midtable.

Manager: Walter Zenga

Best Buy: Niculae Dica- The Romanian attacking midfielder was handed the number 10 shirt by Giuseppe Mascara because he is so talented. If he can adapt to Italian football Catania will have a very good player on their hands.

Probable Formation (4-2-3-1): Bizzarri; Sardo, Terlizzi, Stovini, Sabato; CARBONI, LEDESMA; Mascara, DICA, Gia. Tedesco; PAOLUCCI.

CHIEVO

The Flying Donkeys are back in Serie A after a year in purgatory. Manager Beppe Iachini (who is known for always wearing a hat) will take charge of a Serie A side for the first time, and will most probably play a 4-3-3. In goal Stefano Sorrentino returns to Italy after trying some experiences abroad. In defense Nicholas Frey (yes, brother of Viola keeper Sebastian Frey) has been brought in from Modena. Chievo also signed some interesting Serie B players. Emmanuele D’Anna joins after an impressive year with Pisa while Bogdan Patrascu (played under Iachini at Piacenza) has been signed as well. The real coups of the transfer market came a couple of days ago. Chievo made a double deal with Udinese, bringing in Giampiero Pinzi and Antonio Langella. Pinzi has always been a hardworking midfielder who will fit well into the Chievo midfield while Langella, despite being signed by Udinese this summer, was quickly sent to Chievo as he realized he would get little playing time in Udine. Langella is coming off an excellent season at Atalanta and will look to continue his impressive form. Some of the names you will probably recognize, as Moro, Mandelli, and Malago’ were all part of Chievo’s last stint in Serie A. Marcolini and Bentivoglio will start in midfield. Keep an eye on Simone Bentivoglio, he is a classic “regista” who knows how to control the tempo in midfield. Up front Chievo will rely on the goals of captain Sergio Pellissier, and the attacking ability of Luciano, who has been with Chievo since their miracle 2001/2002 season. On the bench there is also Nigerian striker and Olympic silver medalist Victor Obinna, but he may leave before the transfer window ends. Albanian striker Erjon Bogdani will provide a good attacking threat off the bench, and is excellent in the air. The big news for Chievo is that before the transfer window ends Kerlon may arrive on loan. Kerlon is the young Brazilian player that is famous for the “seal dribble” (he balances the ball on his head and runs around the field, which means the only way to stop him is to foul him). Inter look set to buy him and then send him on loan to Chievo for experience. We’ll see if it happens. Chievo are back and avoiding relegation is their main priority. They should be able to do it.

Manager: Giuseppe Iachini

Best Buy:Antonio Langella- The skillful winger arrives from Udinese and will look to continue where he left off last season. If he can get into form Chievo will have made an excellent acquisition.

Probable Formation (4-3-3): SORRENTINO; Moro, Mandelli, FREY, Malagò; Marcolini, Bentivoglio, PINZI; LANGELLA, Pellissier, Luciano.

Tomorrow I’ll preview Fiorentina, Genoa, Juve, Inter, Lazio, and Lecce…