© EuroFootball.com
On the weekend, the final of the major European championships begins - due to an extended corruption scandal, the 2006/07 season of Italy's "Serie A" championship will kick off late, which will be unique for many reasons.
The country's football fans experienced a particularly strange summer. Many of them were disappointed by the scandal involving referees and corruption, not only because it revealed the biggest problems in Italian football, but also because of the superficial investigation and unclear motives for handing out punishments. The gloomy cloud of the scandal dispersed for a while due to the triumph of the national teams in the World Cup, but after the euphoria subsided, fans had to return to reality and face the variety of unusual things.
This season, "Serie A" is hardly recognizable. For the first time in history, the champion, Turin's "Juventus," has been relegated to a lower division, the title-winning Milan "Inter," is back in the Champions League, along with "Roma," despite their involvement in the scandal, "Milan" will not participate in European tournaments, along with "Fiorentina" and Rome's "Lazio," as well as "Reggina," who are considered underdogs and will have deficit points.
EuroFootball.com briefly reviews each club in the league.
Last season: 10th place (12th before the scandal)
In: Gianluca Pagliuca (goalkeeper, Bologna), Ervin Skela (forward, Kaiserslautern), Marco Delvecchio (forward, Parma), Fabio Pecchia (defender, Bologna), Dimitrios Eleftheropolous (goalkeeper, Roma), Paolo Foglio (defender, Siena), Viktor Boudianski (Avellino)
Out: Igor Budan (forward, Parma), Fabio Quagliarella (forward, Sampdoria), Vittorio Tosto (defender, Empoli), Pasquale Foggia (defender, Lazio), Ricardo Bonetto (defender, Lazio), Daniele Adani (defender, Empoli), Gianluca Comotto (defender, Torino), Carlo Zotti (goalkeeper, Roma), Maurizio Domizzi (defender, Sampdoria), Cristiano Del Grosso (defender, Cagliari)
Last season surprised everyone by easily securing a place in the middle of the league table. However, the "black and white" team, without any surprises and a talented coach, will have to fight hard to stay afloat until the end of the season. Attilio Tesser will be helped by experienced goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca, but the departure of forward Fabio Quagliarella weakens the offensive line.
Goal: Survival Forecast: A lack of goals could be fatal
Last season: 1st place in Serie B
In: Christian Vieri (forward, out of contract), Cristiano Doni (defender, Mallorca), Nelson Abeijon (defender, Cagliari), Fernando Tissone (defender, Udinese), Jose Leonardo Talamonti (defender, River Plate), Kewullay Conteh (defender, Palermo), Massimo Donati (defender, Messina)
Out: Luca Saudati (forward, Empoli), Rolando Bianchi (forward, Reggina), Ducio Innocenti (defender, Albinoleffe), Massimo Taibi (goalkeeper, Torino), Antonino D‘Agostino (defender, Cagliari)
In recent seasons, the team has constantly fluctuated between rise and fall, but this year they will finally try to solidify their status in Serie A and prove that they belong to the country's elite league. Strengthened by experienced players such as Christian Vieri, Nelson Abeijon, and Cristiano Doni and prepared for the battle with other strugglers for survival.
Goal: Survival Forecast: They should be able to survive one way or another
Last season: 14th (16th)
In: Marco Fortin (goalkeeper, Siena), Leonardo Colucci (defender, Bologna), Simone Pepe (forward, Udinese), Cristiano Del Grosso (defender, Ascoli), Antonino D‘Agostino (defender, Atalanta)
Out: Nelson Abeijon (defender, Atalanta), Francesco Bega (defender, Genoa), Massimo Gobbi (defender, Fiorentina)
Last season, the team struggled in the relegation zone for a long time, but regained their form after Christmas. This summer brought good news with the retention of forward Davide Suazo, who scored 22 goals last season. This year, the Sardinian club will try to aim for a higher position in the league table and surpass clubs with less experience in Serie A.
Goal: Mid-table position Forecast: They will be among the mid-table teams
Last season: 2nd place in Serie B
In: Fausto Rossini (forward, Udinese), Giuseppe Colucci (defender, Livorno) Walter Garcia (defender, Kazan Rubin), Lorenzo Stovini (defender, Lecce), Mark Edusei (defender, Gana)
Out: Roberto De Zerbi (forward, Napoli)
After 20 years of wandering, the small Sicilian club returns to Serie A, but made only a couple of modest changes in the team that remained in second place in Serie B and will have to fight hard to avoid relegation back to the second division. The team was weakened by the departure of forward Roberto De Zerbi, who scored goals and led the team.
Goal: Survival Forecast: They will have to fight bravely for survival, but may lack the skill
Last season: 4th (7th)
In: Vincenzo Sicignano (goalkeeper, Lecce), Denis Godeas (forward, Palermo), Kamil Kosowski (defender, Southampton)
Out: Alberto Fontana (goalkeeper, Palermo), Daniele Franceschini (defender, Sampdoria), Amauri (forward, Palermo)
The modest Verona club has gained a reputation as a surprising team and demonstrated it last season when, after the punishment scandal, they received a ticket to the Champions League qualifying rounds. However, the “Flying Donkeys” lost their qualification round and will have problems in the attack as they will have to play without the sold Brazilian Amauri and the disqualified Nigerian Victor Obinna.
Goal: Mid-table position Forecast: A tough season in the lower part of the league table
Last season: 8th (11th)
In: Luca Saudati (forward, Atalanta), Vittorio Tosto (defender, Ascoli), Daniele Adani (defender, Ascoli)
Out: Christian Rigano (forward, Messina), Francesco Tavano (forward, Valencia), Maxwell (defender, Inter)
Unexpectedly, the "Blues" easily won the battle for survival last season and almost got a place in the UEFA Cup due to the scandal. However, the club from Tuscany sold their leading forward Francesco Tavano this summer and will start the season with modest ambitions.
Goal: Survival Forecast: A nervous season on the brink of relegation, but the experience of last season should help them survive.
Last season: 9th (4th)
In: Adrian Mutu (forward, Juventus), Fabio Liverani (defender, Lazio), Manuele Blasi (defender, Juventus), Alessandro Potenza (defender, Mallorca), Reginaldo (forward, Treviso), Cristiano Lupatelli (goalkeeper, Palermo), Mario Santana (defender, Palermo), Massimo Gobbi (defender, Cagliari)
Out: Valeri Bojinov (forward, Juventus), Cristian Brocchi (defender, AC Milan), Stefano Fiore (defender, Torino), Giuseppe Pancaro (defender, Torino), Luis Jimenez (defender, Ternana)
Back in Italy's elite and last season earned a place in the Champions League, but were punished and lost the right to participate in European competitions. The team kept almost all of its leaders, including the most prolific player of the 2005/06 season Luca Toni, but the club is hampered by a huge 19-point deficit.
Goal: Qualify for the UEFA Cup Forecast: They will sneak into the top six
Last season: 16th (6th)
In: Matteo Sereni (goalkeeper, Treviso), Tommaso Berni (goalkeeper, Ternana), Libis Arenas Roberto Baronio (defender, Udinese), Stephen Makinwa (forward, Palermo), Cristian Ledesma (defender, Lecce), Massimo Mutarelli (defender, Palermo), Mobido Diakite (defender, Pescara), Ricardo Bonetto (defender, Ascoli), Alberto Quadri (defender, Inter)
Out: Fabio Liverani (defender, Fiorentina), Ousmane Dabo (defender, Manchester City), Paolo Di Canio (forward, Cisco Roma), Felice Piccolo (defender, Juventus), Andrea Giallombardo (defender, Livorno), Massimo Bonnani (defender, Sampdoria)
Coach Delio Rossi can be proud of leading the team to sixth place last season. However, the punishment as a result of the Rome club not only took away the right to play in the UEFA Cup but also resulted in an 11-point deficit for the new season. Losing key defenders Fabio Liverani, Ousmane Dabo, and emotional leader veteran Paolo Di Canio, but they have been replaced by younger players, and this season is expected to stabilize and prepare for the future.
Goal: Mid-table position Forecast: A place among the average teams
Last season: 4th (8th)
In: Tomas Danilevičius (forward, Avellino) Antonio Filippini (defender, Treviso), Samuel Kuffour (defender, AS Roma), Simone Pavan (defender, Sampdoria), Jose Luis Vidigal (defender, Udinese), Luca Vigiani (defender, Reggina), Giovanni Pasquale (defender, Inter)
Out: Giuseppe Colucci (defender, Catania), Raffaele Palladino (forward, Juventus), Francesco Coco (defender, Inter), Jorge Vargas (defender, Salzburg), Diego De Ascentis (defender, Torino)
Despite the poor performance in the last season, halted by the departure of the coach Roberto Donadoni, critics were surprised by the coach's and the team's successful spell and a decision by the tribunals to give them a place in the UEFA Europa League. The team retained their talisman, forward Cristiano Lucarelli, who could form a dangerous duo with the recovered Tomu Danilevičius and exploit the deficits of other teams to secure a good position.
Goal: Qualify for the UEFA Europa League Forecast: Mid-table position
Last season: 17th (18th)
In: Christian Rigano (forward, Empoli), Mitsuo Ogasawara (defender, Kashima Antlers), Mark Iuliano (defender, Sampdoria), Edgar Alvarez (defender, Roma), Salvatore Masiello (defender, Udinese)
Out: Gaetano D'Agostino (defender, Udinese), Massimo Donati (defender, Atalanta)
Survived in Serie A due to a tribunal's decision, not due to their performance on the field, as they occupied a place vacated by the famous Turin's Juventus in a lower league. Lingering uncertainties hampered the clubs, and the less strengthened Sicilians will have a hard time fighting for survival.
Goal: Survival Forecast: They might need tribunal help again
Last season: 2nd (5th)
In: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (forward, Juventus), Hernan Crespo (forward, Chelsea), Patrick Vieira (defender, Juventus), Olivier Dacourt (defender, AS Roma), Fabio Grosso (defender, Palermo), Douglas Maicon (defender, Monaco), Maxwell (defender, Empoli), Mariano Gonzalez (defender, Palermo)
Out: Juan Sebastian Veron (defender, Estudiantes), Obafemi Martins (forward, Newcastle), Cristiano Zanetti (defender, Juventus), David Pizarro (defender, AS Roma), Giuseppe Favalli (defender, Milan), Aparecido Cesar (defender, Corinthians)
After late getting crowned as Italian champions, and significantly bolstering the team during the summer to defend their title, the team added stars like defender Patrick Vieira, forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Hernan Crespo. They have one of the most powerful compositions in Europe and will not only be favorites to win the national championship but will also aim for the Champions League. It's a historic opportunity for the club, which has faced many disappointments and very few significant victories over the last 20 years.
Goal: Title and Champions League Forecast: Undoubtedly favorites in Serie A, but could face challenges in Europe
Last season: 16th (6th)
In: Matteo Sereni (goalkeeper, Treviso), Tommaso Berni (goalkeeper, Ternana), Libis Arenas Roberto Baronio (defender, Udinese), Stephen Makinwa (forward, Palermo), Cristian Ledesma (defender, Lecce), Massimo Mutarelli (defender, Palermo), Mobido Diakite (defender, Pescara), Ricardo Bonetto (defender, Ascoli), Alberto Quadri (defender, Inter)
Out: Fabio Liverani (defender, Fiorentina), Ousmane Dabo (defender, Manchester City), Paolo Di Canio (forward, Cisco Roma), Felice Piccolo (defender, Juventus), Andrea Giallombardo (defender, Livorno), Massimo Bonnani (defender, Sampdoria)
After leading the team to sixth place last season, coach Delio Rossi can be proud. However, the sanctions following the scandal have cost the Rome club the right to play in the UEFA Cup, and they also have an 11-point deficit for the new season. Key defenders such as Fabio Liverani, Ousmane Dabo, and veteran emotional leader Paolo Di Canio departed, but they have been replaced by younger players and aim to consolidate this season and prepare for the future.
Goal: Mid-table position Forecast: They should be among the middle-ranking teams
Last season: 5th (8th)
In: Tomas Danilevičius (forward, Avellino), Antonio Filippini (defender, Treviso), Samuel Kuffour (defender, AS Roma), Simone Pavan (defender, Sampdoria), Jose Luis Vidigal (defender, Udinese), Luca Vigiani (defender, Reggina), Giovanni Pasquale (defender, Inter)
Out: Giuseppe Colucci (defender, Catania), Raffaele Palladino (forward, Juventus), Francesco Coco (defender, Inter), Jorge Vargas (defender, Salzburg), Diego De Ascentis (defender, Torino)
Despite the ups and downs in recent years, this season, the Genoa club will have a far more difficult task as they need to erase a 15-point deficit. With very few newcomers in the team and the club this season resembling a sinking ship.
Goal: Survival Forecast: The 15-point deficit will be an insurmountable barrier
Last season: 2nd in Serie B
In: Christian Rigano (forward, Empoli), Mitsuo Ogasawara (defender, Kashima Antlers), Mark Iuliano (defender, Sampdoria), Edgar Alvarez (defender, Roma), Salvatore Masiello (defender, Udinese)
Out: Fabio Liverani (defender, Fiorentina), Valerio Bertotto (defender, Udinese), Fausto Rossini (forward, Catania), Fernando Tissone (defender, Atalanta), Mirko Pieri (defender, Sampdoria), Samir Handanovic (goalkeeper, Rimini)
The Udinese team last season performed poorly, withdrawing from Champions League group matches and struggling long at the edge of the relegation zone in the national championship. This time, the team will have the opportunity to recover, and the leaders - forward Vincenzo Iaquinta, defender Sulley Ali Muntari, and others - will help them.
Goal: Qualify for the UEFA Europa League/Champions League Forecast: They should at least reach the UEFA Europa League
Last season: 3rd in Serie B
In: Stefano Fiore (defender, Fiorentina), Christian Abbiati (goalkeeper, Juventus), Giuseppe Pancaro (defender, Fiorentina), Masashi Oguro (forward, Grenoble), Gianluca Comotto (defender, Ascoli), Diego De Ascentis (defender, Livorno), Marco Di Loreto (defender, Fiorentina)
Out: Zisis Vryzas (forward, Xanthi), Mark Edusei (defender, Catania)
One of the most famous clubs in Italian history is back in Serie A after tormenting years in the lower division and bankruptcy. Their primary goal will be to avoid relegation, and the acquisitions of goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, and defenders Simone Barone and Stefano Fiore will significantly help them.
Goal: Survival Forecast: They should easily retain their place in the league
Last season: 11th (13th)
In: Gaetano D'Agostino (defender, Messina), Gyan Asamoah (forward, Modena), Andrea Dossena (defender, Treviso
