Football Season Guide

Last season was an incredible one for Salernitana, who eventually managed to avoid relegation despite looking hopeless for most of the campaign. In fact, they only managed to win 3 games in the initial 28 games, but once the third coach of the season, Davide Nicola, settled in and a massive group of players arrived in the winter transfer campaign they started performing, picking up 4 more decisive successes and avoiding the drop in the very last week. Quite surprisingly, considering that they had the next-to-worst attack, with 33 goals scored, and the worst defence of the league, with 78 goals conceded. Coach Nicola, who made the miracle thanks to his clinical football, was confirmed at the helm also for the new season. The summer at Salernitana was a very busy one with plenty of players going and just as many arriving. First of all, they got rid of an array of deadwood and players who hardly made the pitch after Nicola’s arrival, Strandberg and Schiavone among them. Then, they saw the departure of one of the key actors in last season’s salvation, midfielder Ederson. The 22-year-old was sold for good money and has not been adequately replaced yet, with Coulibaly expected to regain a starting place as in the first part of last campaign. Djuric, their most present player and second-best striker, 5 goals and 5 assists, also left for pastures new and they hired Botheim in his stead, who had a fantastic season with Bodo, scoring 15 goals. Moreover, they managed to sign again Bonazzoli, a hero of their salvation with 10 goals. The defence is the line which was refreshed the most with just-arrived youngsters Lovato and Pirola set to earn starting spots alongside experienced Fazio. Salernitana are still looking for a prolific striker, to improve the area where they suffered the most last season, and a new leader for the middle of the park.