Football Season Guide

The past season for Lecce was far from an easy one. They spent most of the campaign dangerously close to relegation and succeeded reaching safety only towards the end. The team was a blend of experienced and young players, with Luigi De Canio at the helm. A couple of months later everything has changed, with the hope that it will all stay the same. De Canio gave his resignation, possibly due to some disagreements with the management of the club, and Eusebio Di Francesco is now in charge. Apart from a successful campaign in Lega Pro 1 with Pescara, he is basically inexperienced at this level. He seems likely to adopt a 4-3-3 system of play, which is not too far from the one adopted by his predecessor. However, the transfer campaign brought to Lecce not only a new coach but also several new players, who are expected to overshadow the memories left in the supporters by those who, in the meantime, left. In goals, Julio Sergio will take Rosati's place. His Roman seasons have been rather contradictory and, considering that a house must be built from its foundations, the premises for Lecce are far from enthusiastic. The back four should see Carrozzieri and Esposito as the centre-backs while Brivio and Tomovic should be the full-backs. Due to injuries and suspensions or choice of the managers, the four have not been playing much in the recent past. In the midfield, Piatti and Giacomazzi will be helped by Strasser. The losses of Munari, Vives and, mostly, Bertolacci could end up being regretted. In the attack, Muriel is the player to watch carefully. He did some wonders during the recent Copa America and this could be his season, together with Di Michele and one between Cacia and Corvia.