Football Season Guide

Vicenza

In


Pucino (def)(Chievo on loan); Rizzo (mid)(Perugia on loan); Fabinho (att)(Perugia); Fontanini (def)(San Lorenzo on loan); Matteo Di Piazza (att)(Akragas); Bogdan (def)(NK Krka); Beduschi (def)(Lecce); Siega (att)(Reggiana on loan)

Out


Modic (sp)(mid)(Milan end of loan); Sampirisi (r)(def)(released); El Hasni (sp)(def)(Etoile Sportive de Sahel); Laverone (mid)(Salernitana); Ebagua (r)(att)(released); Brighenti (r)(def)(Frosinone)

In the past season only thanks to a very good season finale, Vicenza managed to avoid relegation reaching the 13th position. That the biancorossi couldn't repeat the previous extraordinary season in which they played a great tournament, finishing in 3rd place and reaching the playoffs' semifinals, was highly expected considering the departures of many key players, however the team still seemed equipped to play a decent league, maybe close to the playoff zone. Strangely enough the biancorossi played well below expectations and had to deal with many serious injuries, especially among the defenders, as well as with the poor performance of some players. At some point it seemed the team wasn't following anymore coach Marino who was replaced with Franco Lerda that managed to save Vicenza from relegation relying on a cautious 4-2-3-1 system of play. Given the good job done Lerda was confirmed on the bench also for this season. During the summer transfer market two important defenders such as Brighenti and Sampirisi left, as well as winger Laverone and centre-forward Ebagua. Anyway the club was very proactive also in the inbound market taking on loan two good defenders like fromer Lanciano Pucino and Argentinian Fontanini, a very solid midfielder as Rizzo and buying from Perugia Brazilian striker Fabinho. In addition the biancorossi have expanded the roster with some interesting players coming from lower divisions. As for the first official games of the season Vicenza defeated Casertana in the second round of Coppa Italia, but were then defeated by Empoli in the third one.

Target


Hard to imagine what will be the path of Vicenza in this season, a lot will depend on the performance of some quality players who last year had fallen short of expectations (above all Bellomo and Galano). The main goal will be to avoid relegation, but could also make a quiet mid-table path.