Football Season Guide

In their more than centennial history, Carpi had never come close to the Serie A nor had they ever dreamed of reaching it at all. After one quite positive first campaign in Serie B, though, against all odds they dominated the league from beginning to end and so they well-deservedly made it for the first time to the top flight of the Italian football. Their promotion represented a real shock for all, football institutions included, and now they hope to keep on shocking the nation also at the highest level. In order to do so, the management confirmed coach Castori, the architect of such a triumphal march, even though he has no experience whatsoever in Serie A. Unfortunately for them, some of the boys who led Carpi to promotion had to leave as they returned to their parent clubs. The likes of Gabriel, Struna, Molina and Suagher, just to name a few, will have to be replaced by a whole bunch of new players, arriving on loan or on free transfers. Udinese contributed the most to Carpi’s construction, lending them Brkic, who will start in goals, Bubnijc, who could act in the heart of the defence alongside Spolli and/or Romagnoli, and Gabriel Silva, who is willing to redeem himself after an anonymous season, at left back. Wallace, from Chelsea, should complete the defence at right-back. In a 4-3-3 formation, the midfield could be composed by Lazzari, Martinho and Marrone, all players who enjoyed little if no playing time in the last season. In the attack, luckily enough Carpi succeeded not losing Mbakogu, who proved fundamental to the promotion with his goals. Matos is expected to support him alongside some obscure youth like Wilczek or the next-to-be-signed Paraguayan Gonzalez from Olimpia Asuncion. The arrival of Gilardino could represent a fundamental one, given his experience. However, Carpi need a few more signings in order to be really competitive in all the departments.