Football Season Guide

Returning to the Serie A after a long absence, Spezia obtained a quiet salvation under fashionable coach Italiano in the 2020/2021 campaign. The following season, with Thiago Motta at the helm, they managed to repeat the feat, thus not suffering from the notorious second-year-syndrome. With just 3 wins in the initial 18 games, they looked to be heading for the fall but 3 wins in January were sufficient for them to steady the ship and steer clear of the relegation zone. Not particularly prolific up-front, they scored 41 goals only, Spezia leaked like a sieve at the back, with Salernitana only doing worse than their 71 goals conceded. Thus, they are now logically expected to strengthen both the defence and the attack over the summer but, for the new season, they will have a different man at the helm. In fact, Thiago Motta and Spezia parted ways and former Udinese coach Luca Gotti was hired instead. Compared to his predecessors, the latter has a more defensive approach and so Spezia are expected to concede a lot less in the new campaign. Even though their signing restrictions have been lifted by the UEFA, Spezia have not been particularly active in the transfer campaign. They lost two major protagonists of the past season in centre-back Erlic and striker Manaj (5 goals last season), while forwards Salcedo and Colley hardly left any mark. Moreover, they released playmaker Sena, an unfulfilled promise who spent the last season injured. In terms of new arrivals, Caldara, coming off a mixed season at Venezia, is expected to become a protagonist in the heart of the defence. Ekdal, who arrived as a free agent after losing starting status at Sampdoria, should provide experience and muscles to the midfield. Last but not least, Maldini could represent an interesting alternative to the attacking midfielders or second strikers. After a troubled season, during which he hardly saw the pitch, Nzola could become a protagonist for Spezia attack again, for want of alternatives. Spezia are still looking for players at the back, in the midfield and the attack as the squad is incomplete and lacks quality.