Football Season Guide

Serie B
Italy
Serie B
2016/2017
Novara
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Novara

In


Di Mariano (mid)(Roma); Sansone (att)(Sampdoria); Koch (def)(Zurich); Kupisz (mid)(Chievo on loan); Calderoni (def)(Chievo on loan); Scognamiglio (def)(Pisa); Kanis (att)(Albinoleffe)

Out


Lazzari (sp)(mid)(Ascoli); Ludi (sp)(def)(retired); Schiavi (mid)(Modena on loan); Evacuo (r)(att)(Parma); Gonzalez (r)(att)(Alessandria); Vicari (sp)(def)(Spal); Dell'Orco (r)(def)(Sassuolo); Faraoni (r)(def)(Udinese end of loan)

The past year Novara surprised everyone, few could have imagined a season constantly in the top end of the table for a newly promoted team also burdened by the weight of two penalty points...the blues ended the regular season in 8th position and were defeated in the playoff's semi-final by Pescara. The main architect of this great result was definitively coach Marco Baroni, who after a limping start understood that the 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 systems of play he alternated didn't suit his players and switched to the 4-2-3-1 which instead perfectly suited to the team characteristics. Surprisingly in June Baroni resigned and the club appointed Boscaglia as new coach. Former Trapani and Brescia should probably switch either to the 4-3-3 system or to the 4-3-1-2. Another big surprise for the fans was the departure of two of the most beloved players like Evacuo and especially Gonzalez (six years with the Piedmonteses for the Argentinian) who were anyway well replaced by Sansone, eager to redeem a last disappointing season, and Polish winger Kupisz. Less surprising the departure of defenders Dell'Orco and Faraoni, well replaced by former Trapani defender Scognamiglio and full-backs Koch and Calderoni. Even if there were many changes the squad seems to have maintained its characteristics and even appears to be stronger. Excellent the season debut for Novara who reached the fourth round of Coppa Italia (where they will face Chievo) having defeated Juve Stabia and Latina.

Target


Novara have all it needs to repeat the previous excellent season and therefore reach again the playoffs...much will depend on the speed with which newcomers will integrate with the group and the speed at which all players will become familiar with the new coach's tactics.