Spal were by far the absolute protagonists of season 2016/2017, just back in Serie B after 23 years, they won the title and were promoted to the top flight after more than 50 years. An extraordinary ride in which they have consistently been at the top of the table, prevailing on battleships such as Hellas Verona and Frosinone. Their consistency was incredible, after a very short period of adaptation to the new category, which lasted just a few weeks, they entered the top positions and never left the playoff zone. After the winter break a very long streak of defeatless matches led the biancazzurri fighting for direct promotion, the awareness of their strength has grown from game to game and, when they reached the first position, they never left it. That Spal could be one of the biggest surprises of the season could be expected already in August, they kept most of the players that led them to Serie B adding some important ones in each role. A targeted campaign that reinforced each role with quality players, some very promising youngsters, others more experienced with many seasons in Serie B on their shoulders. As for the first ones between the sticks they took on loan from Udinese Under 21 international Alex Meret, who proved to be a top-class keeper, in defense on loan from Torino Kevin Bonifazi, who, after a disappointing first half of the season, exploded onto the scene after Christmas, in attack other Under 21 international Alberto Cerri. The amount of experience was brought by midfielders Pasquale Schiattarella and Mariano Arini and by former Leeds forward Mirco Antenucci. Moreover, in the winter market given the disappointing performance of Cerri, they replaced him with forward Sergio Floccari, definitively a right move considering the great conribution of experience given by the former Lazio who also scored 7 goals. The main doubt was related to coach Leonardo Semplici who, in addition to not having any experience at this level, had to mix many new players in a short time...well he did it in an excellent way giving a clear identity to the squad always relying on the 3-5-2 system of play. Semplici's play has proven to be very balanced, a solid defense (in the end the third best of the league) in which Cremonesi, Giani, Bonifazi and Vicari put themselves in the limelight and a lethal attack (the best of all Serie B with 66 goals scored) which was heavily supported by the play on the wings where Manuel Lazzari and Filippo Costa were crucial with their continuous running. In the center of the attack Antenucci was the main catalyst of the crosses coming from the wings, he scored 18 goals being the third best scorer of the championship. An excellent support inside the penalty area was given also by other forward Gianmarco Zigoni who hit the net 11 times.
