Football Season Guide

After failing to make the top 10 of the Serie B in the previous 2 campaigns, last season Pisa immediately installed themselves at the top, leading the table from the end of August until late November, when they were overtaken by Sassuolo. The following cavalcade brought them to an unexpected promotion. 35 years had passed since their last participation to the Serie A. It was a well-deserved second place, as they were second in everything, sporting the second-best defence and the second-best attack of the league. Coach Pippo Inzaghi, at his 3rd promotion in 10 seasons, was the architect of their successful campaign but decided not to stay on, lured away by Palermo money. Pisa thus handed the reins of the team to Alberto Gilardino, in need of a redemption after a disastrous last season at Genoa. While the squad age average was not a very young one, 26 years, it is striking that not many of their players actually ever set their foot in Serie A. For such reason, they mostly tried to inject experience in the squad during the transfer campaign. First of all, in goal, they hired Scuffet, who had a mixed last season between Cagliari and Napoli, and he could be battling with Semper for a starting spot. At the back, 21-year-old prospects Lusuardi, one of the few positives in Frosinone last dramatic experience in Serie A, and Denoon, on loan from Zurich, will earn playing time in the future but experience is still needed in the heart of the defence. 37-year-old right winger Cuadrado, who still has personality, arrived on a free and could be playing his last football for them. The midfield is the area they strengthened the most, though, with the arrival of Aebischer, who lost his starting spot last season at Bologna, and talented Akinsanmiro, on loan from Inter, both set to become protagonists. On the other hand, 19-year-old Vural, their main investment, should represent the future. The attack saw the arrival of Nzola, returning to Italian football after a stint at Lens, but they are on the hunt for more.