Forza Italian Football takes a brief look at this season’s Serie A new boys who will be hoping to emulate the achievements of Hellas Verona and Sassuolo by remaining in Serie A come this time next year.
After spending two seasons down in Serie B, Cesena are back in Serie A after emerging victorious in the play-offs against Modena and Latina.
The Cavallucci Marini (Seahorses) finished fourth in the 2013-14 Serie B with 66 points, six points away from achieving automatic promotion.
Pierpaolo Bisoli’s team struggled to score goals during the campaign, putting the ball into the back of the net just 45 times. Padova scored just as many, and not only have they been relegated from Serie B, they also went bankrupt.
Despite the lack of firepower up front, Cesena were solid in defence conceding just 35 times. Only champions Palermo conceded less.
This is not very surprising because Bisoli has had a reputation for being a defensive-minded coach. His tactics did not work to his advantage when he coached Cagliari in 2010 and at Bologna in 2011 in Serie A but he has thrived in both stints with the Romagna club.
From 2008-10, Bisoli achieved back-to-back promotions with Cesena, getting them from Lega Pro to Serie A. During that time he was able to bring the best out of players like Massimo Volta, Luca Ceccarelli, Ezequiel Schelotto and Emanuele Giaccherini.
Bisoli returned during the 2012-13 Serie B season to replace Nicola Campedelli and he guided them to salvation.
After a full season in charge in 2013-14, Bisoli once again brought the best out of the players at his disposal. His preferred formations are the 4-2-3-1 and the 4-3-3 so he will probably stick to those formations in Serie A.
Cesena has not spent huge money on players yet but they have been able to maintain key men and find the right additions.
Unsurprisingly they have worked predominantly on their defence early in the summer transfer window.
Bisoli played experienced goalkeepers Andrea Campagnolo and Achille Coser last season but Azzurrini shot stopper Nicola Leali is expected to start between the posts in Serie A after spending a season with Spezia.
Romanian right-back Constantin Nica has arrived on loan from Atalanta and Stefano Lucchini has been bought from La Dea. Another recent addition to the Cesena defence is Gabriele Perico, who played four seasons for Cagliari.
Massimo Volta is owned by Sampdoria but he has been loaned out to the Cavallucci Marini once again and young Slovenian defender Luca Krajnc has signed on until 2017.
In midfield, Cesena have looked towards Atalanta again as a source for players, bringing Luigi Giorgi and Riccardo Cazzola on loan spells. They will be expected to support Emmanuel Cascione in the middle of the park.
Significant purchases have not been made in attack yet but they are taking an interest in Brazilians such as Ze Eduardo and Sao Paulo youngster Ademilson.
Bisoli seems to be content with his young forward line which contains players such as Gregoire Defrel and Luca Garritano in the wide positions. He has lost right-winger Marco D’Alessandro to Atalanta who played in 44 competitive matches last season, more than any another player.
Although Spanish striker Alejandro Rodriguez was Cesena’s leading goalscorer with eight goals, the Seahorses are likely to put their faith in Guido Marilungo to score goals.
Marilungo, who is another player from Atalanta, arrived on loan in January this year and despite scoring only two goals in 20 league matches, he was the hero in the play-offs scoring three goals in four games.
This Cesena side won’t be expected to entertain or go very far in Serie A this season but they do have a coach who can bring the best out of them.
They also have released their kits for next season, including a pink third kit in homage to former cyclist Marco Pantani, who passed away 10 years ago. The winner of the 1998 Giro d’Italia and Tour de France hailed from Cesena.
The club could make a quick return to Serie B but they should not be expected to go out with a whimper.
Follow Vito Doria on Twitter: @VitoCDoria
