Football Season Guide

After just a 2-year permanence in Serie B, Crotone made it back to the top flight of the Italian football having closed the past season on the second standing, a long way, 18 points, from table leaders Benevento. The second-best attack and the third best defence of the league, with 63 goals scored and 40 conceded respectively, the Sharks well-deserved their promotion thanks to what they did after the season restarted following the Covid-19 break. In fact, having reached the second spot right before the pandemic spread, they sealed their return to the Serie A with an 11-game undefeated run. Former Milan midfielder Giovanni Stroppa was the architect of their promotion: at his third season with Crotone, he was confirmed also for their new experience at the top level. He already had a taste of the Serie A back in 2012/2013 when he resigned from Pescara after 13 games in command (W3, D2, L8). Since then, he mostly coached teams in Lega Pro and Serie B and this might represent a problem for the season ahead. Over the summer, Crotone squad logically underwent a major overhaul in order to provide the coach with the quality and quantity needed for fighting against relegation. Of all the players who left, Barberis is certainly the main loss: he was lured away by Monza money after scoring 1 goal and serving 8 assists in the past campaign. With Armenteros, Jankovic and Lopez gone and 20-goal giant Simy also on the verge of a departure, they will certainly see their attack greatly changed. In terms of new signings, Crotone hired promising Magallan from Ajax, who should join Marrone, whose loan was made permanent, at the back in a 3-5-2 formation while Vulic and Cigarini, both coming from mixed seasons just past, at Red Star Belgrade and Cagliari respectively, should battle for the middle of the park. Moreover, newly-arrived Rispoli should be starting on the right. Several youngsters returned from loan elsewhere and the most remarkable one is represented by wonder boy forward Kargbo, who scored 10 goals and served 7 assists last season in Serie C. Not enough if they are to fight for survival, though. Not too surprisingly, Crotone are still looking for experienced players for all the departments, in particular on the flanks and up-front.