Football Season Guide

Miracles cannot happen twice. Last season, Atalanta obtained an incredible safety despite a 6-point deduction that seemed likely to affect their own campaign. This season, Siena will be asked to repeat such a performance since it is going to be their turn facing the Serie A with a 6-point deduction because of some responsibility in match-fixing. And a bigger penalty could occur once a final judgment is taken in September. In the past campaign, quite against all odds and despite the lack of experience of the man at the helm, Siena succeeded reaching safety with quite some ease. In particular, they proved to be quite solid defensively and they offered some aggressive and spectacular football. Calaiò and Destro, up-front, did some wonders,until the captain's season ended through injury. This season, things will have to change necessarily. Coach Sannino was attracted by Palermo's money and so Siena opted for Cosmi, who came real close to saving Lecce despite a very negative beginning of the season. He is known for the way his teams play and for they never give up fighting. He will not be able to count on Gazzi, Brkic, Rossettini, Destro and Brienza, who joined some bigger clubs. Thus, in goals, Pegolo, who had the opportunity to show his skills while Brkic was injured, will make it straight to the starting eleven. Dellafiore and Neto, who arrived from Portugal, should be competing for a place in the back three while Rodriguez, Valiani and Rubin could provide some alternatives for the midfield where D'Agostino will be expected to become the leader. The feeling is that Destro was not properly replaced yet since Calaiò's partner should be found among Bogdani, Paolucci and Larrondo.