Where did it all go wrong for Hellas Verona? That will be the question on many Serie A observers' lips at the end of a torrid campaign for the Gialloblu. After a fantastic return in 2013/14 where they achieved a top half finish, they managed to avoid the dreaded "second season syndrome" in 2014/15 by finishing comfortably in mid-table. It looked as though Andrea Mandorlini had established and consolidated Verona as a Serie A club again, so their sudden and rapid decline this season came as a shock to many. There didn't seem to be any signs early on as they drew three of their opening four games but a win would continue to elude them. Indeed, they went on to have 22 Serie A matches before they would eventually pick up a victory in February. It was a truly dismal run and Mandorlini was relived of his duties 14 games into it. Luigi Delneri was his replacement but things didn't change for a long time. A late season resurgence where the players finally seemed to start playing with some pride proved to be too little, too late. Relegation had seemed inevitable for a while and it was eventually confirmed as Hellas finished rock bottom with a measly 28 points. It was hard to find any positives from this season but Luca Toni was once again top scorer despite almost being 40 years of age. In fact, it was perhaps his goals in the past couple of seasons which have papered over the cracks in Verona. His lack of playing time this season due to injury and ageing legs exposed the team for a lack of ruthlessness in the final third as only Bologna scored fewer goals in Serie A. It looks like its going to be an uncertain time for Hellas Verona going forward as no one within the club had prepared for such a disastrous season.
