Serie B Preview 2008/2009

By: Francesco | August 29th, 2008

Along with Serie A this weekend, Serie B will kick-off as well. The second division has many exciting teams this year and it should provide for an interesting campaign. In my opinion Serie B is the best second division in Europe. There are so many quality players in Serie B and it is a league with lots of skill and technique. There are teams with history (Vicenza, Bari, Parma, just to name a few) and newcomers that surprise (Sassuolo, Cittadella). So I’ll divide the teams up into Promotion contenders, Almost-Promotion contenders, Relegation candidates, and the rest of the lot.

Promotion Contenders

Parma- The Gialloblu’s relegation last season shocked the calcio world and expect them to be out for vengence. Parma have an experienced manager (Gigi Cagni) and a squad filled with players that could easily be playing in Serie A. The big name is Cristiano Lucarelli, who will look to score lots of goals to redeem himself for last season. They also have attacking midfielder Julio Cesar Leon, who is a luxury in Serie B. Young Milan striker Alberto Paloschi joined yesterday and will look to learn from Lucarelli. Parma should be the force of Serie B.

Empoli- The Tuscan side will most probably be the other force of Serie B. Silvio Baldini has always been a great manager when it comes to getting teams promoted. There squad also has many Serie A caliber players. Captain Ighli Vannucchi is a great player and should make the difference in Serie B. Francesco Lodi is another skillful player that will make a difference after some impressive seasons at Frosinone. Up front Nicola Pozzi may be on the way out, while Luca Saudati and Daniele Corvia should get the job done. In January Francesco Flachi will return to the pitch as his suspension is up. He will just be an added asset to the Empoli front line.

Livorno- The Amaranto are another team intent on getting right back up to paradise. They have the squad to do it, and manager Leonardo Acori (formerly of Rimini) will look to satisfy the Tuscan fans. They too have experienced players, and I expect Alessandro Diamanti to have an awesome season. Diamanti left his mark in Serie A and he looks all set to breakout. Francesco Tavano will look to score goals after disappointing last season.

Brescia- Brescia are desperate to get back into Serie A after being relegated in 2005. Serse Cosmi is at the helm and will look to finally lead them back to glory. The team added Domenico Morfeo, who on his day can be a genius, and have a good strike force in Andrea Caracciolo and Davide Possanzini. The rest of the squad has experience but Brescia will have to fight hard and be consistent all season to realize their dream.

Almost-Promotion Contenders
These are teams that could push the big 4 for promotion places.

Bari- Bari hasn’t been in Serie A since 2001, and since then haven’t really put up much of challenge to come back. But it looks like the club that launched Antonio Cassano is finally serious about getting back to the top. Manager Antonio Conte has proved to be a very good tactician and good at managing young players. If they can play well consistently they may be able to surprise.

AlbinoLeffe- Tiny AlbinoLeffe were the surprise of last season and almost found themselves promoted to Serie A. The squad is something to behold. Most players are homegrown, and only 2 players in the entire 28 man squad aren’t Italian (Brazilian), and there aren’t any big names. The players work hard and play as a team, and that gets them results. Striker Marco Cellini was excellent last season. Let’s see if they can confirm themselves again this season.

Mantova- In the past few years Mantova has always been tipped as a promotion contender but in the end they always wind up disappointing. This season they once again have a squad that is capable of gaining promotion, and even added experienced veteran Tomas Locatelli to their ranks, who should easily be one of the best players in Serie B. Denis Godeas had a great season up front last year, but the defense looks to be a little shaky. Also, this is manager Giuseppe Brucato’s first stint with a Serie B club, he has only managed small teams in the past.

Rimini- In recent years Rimini has not only become known for its beaches and clubs in the summer but also for its soccer team. The small club has been knocking on promotion’s door but can’t seem to find the right key to open it. The squad has lost some players but they still have Argentine fantasista Adrian Ricchiuti, who really makes the difference.

Possible Surprises

Sassuolo- That’s right, little Sassuolo. The club from the tiny town of 40,000 may very well be the surprise this season. Andrea Mandorlini is in charge and they have picked up some players that can make the difference, especially striker Riccardo Zampagna. The big striker looks like a big physical presence but he has the technique of a fantasista. He has the ability to score amazing goals. Experienced midfielder Emiliano Salvetti is also in the squad and is always a hard worker with good playmaking and goalscoring ability.

Triestina- The club from Trieste has long been trying to put together and a promotion project but has failed every time. They finally look to have something good cooking up. They are aided by the fact that revelation striker Pablo Granoche, although signed by Chievo, will stay on loan for the rest of this season.

Vicenza- Although the storied club were almost relegated last season, I believe they made some really good signings this summer and the squad is really good and ready to compete for higher objectives in Serie B. They are well rounded all over the pitch and have a mix of good youngsters and experienced veterans.

Relegation candidates

Ancona- Ancona are back in Serie B but I think it will just be a one year stay. They haven’t done much on the transfer market to improve.

Treviso- The club were nearly relegated last season and I don’t think they’ll make it this season. Manager Luca Gotti’s only other coaching experience has been with the Italy U17 national team. The squad has been virtually unchanged from last year.

Cittadella- Padova’s neighbors are a nice story, but unlike Sassuolo they haven’t made changes to their squad that may allow them to surprise.

The Rest of Serie B

Avellino- Readmitted to Serie B because of Messina’s bankruptcy, the Irpini have worked diligently on the transfer market this summer to ensure they won’t be relegated again.

Ascoli- Recently in Serie A, Ascoli will look to surprise with a promotion playoff push but will most probably finish midtable. Christian Bucchi, who has always been awesome in Serie B, returns, and they will hope to keep hold of talented winger Stefano Guberti.

Frosinone- Since promotion from Serie C Frosinone have proven to be a decent Serie B team. Not good enough for promotion but not bad enough for relegation. Just an average team that will finish midtable.

Grosseto- Grosseto did well in their maiden voyage last year, finishing 13th and safely away from relegation. Expect them to have a similar campaign, but they may fall into relegation trouble.

Modena- Last in Serie A in 2004, Modena are trying hard to put another project together that will get them back into Serie A again quickly. However it most probably won’t happen this year.

Piacenza- A mainstay in Serie A during the late ’90s, Piacenza haven’t tasted the top flight since 2003. Unfortunately the club still hasn’t gotten back on track and will most likely be midtable again.

Pisa- The surprise of last season, Pisa were so close to being promoted to Serie A. However I don’t think they can repeat last season’s performance, especially after their brilliant attacking trio from last season (Cerci, Castillo, Kutuzov) have moved on and they lost Emmanuele D’Anna in midfield.

Salernitana- The Granata are finally back in Serie B after being relegated and suffering financial problems in 2005. Fabrizio Castori, who did well with Cesena, is at the helm. They have experience up front in Arturo Di Napoli and Dino Fava so goals shouldn’t be a problem. Manolo Pestrin will bring grit to the midfield. They should be capable of achieving salvation and then will look to greater heights in 2009/2010.