The Serie B Cinderalla story of the season looks set for its ending come the weekend, and a happy ending it should be.
On November 15, Carpi beat Cittadella 5-2 to go top of Serie B. Fabrizio Castori’s side had enjoyed some good results up to that point, most notably a 5-0 win at Pescara.
They’d been top a couple of weeks before but had been deposed by Frosinone, after a defeat at Virtus Entella (the only stadium smaller than their own — and that by only 10) .
Should the Falconi beat that self-same Frosinone at the weekend, they will find themselves in Serie A for the first time ever.
Sitting as they do, 15 points clear of Vicenza and Bologna with six games to go, it doesn’t seem a particularly risky suggestion that they look set to join the elite; not least when they hold the head-to-head advantage against both their challengers.
While there are some Serie B clubs who should be looking shame-facedly at themselves, after this undoubtedly small club romped through the division, Carpi may well have their sights set on bloodying some Serie A noses already.
Earlier in the campaign, Lazio president Claudio Lotito used Carpi (and their weekend opponents Frosinone) as examples of smaller clubs with a lower supporter base and less of financial clout. Those clubs, Lotito argued, would bring nothing to Serie A should they be promoted. The television market would suffer as a result and Serie A would lose some of the lustre it is trying to get back, Lotito added.
Lotito has obviously failed to heed the examples of sport.
Across the border in France, Luzenac AP were embroiled in a huge dispute following their promotions last season. Having earned the right to play in Ligue 2, their progress was curtailed by the French Football Federation (FFF) and a number of regulations they tried to impose on the village side. Eibar were another, who won promotion to the Spanish top flight only to find La Liga’s financial regulations almost too stifling.
The football community rallied against the authorities in these cases as David fought Goliath. There was no suggestion yet that Serie A would not accept Carpi, but Goliath has certainly not got a red carpet on order.
Just like those two sides, Carpi look set to earn their promotion on the field and take with them one of few feel-good stories that ring around the peninsula.
Since 2010, the Falconi have improved every season; through Lega Pro Division 2 and 1, losing a playoff one season in the latter before winning it the next time around.
Their first season in Serie B (and highest positions since the 1920s) was another improvement, and this campaign looks set to end in triumph too.
Marching into Serie A must seem like something of a fairytale, but Carpi have headed the table for months. Only Pescara have scored more goals. Nobody has conceded fewer.
For Castori, a veteran in his 21st coaching position, this will represent a first crack at Serie A.
For most of his squad, too, it will be a new experience; they total 80 Serie A appearances between them, mainly through Filippo Porcari’s spell with Novara and Simon Laner’s at Cagliari.
As those names suggest, Carpi’s side has been put together cheaply. Top-scorer Jerry Mbakogu arrived from Padova initially on loan before signing up for five years, while fellow striker Kevin Lasagna cost a tasty €75,000 last summer. Goalkeeper (and arguably the best player in the team) Gabriel, is on loan from AC Milan. Others have been borrowed from Atalanta and Chievo Verona.
Yet with this team of also-rans, has-beens and never-weres, Castori has managed to mould a side that have dominated Serie B. From their 14th game to now, they have been top of the table and the gap has grown larger throughout.
At their best Carpi look irresistable, capable of quick breaks but also well able to throw men forward with quality. Mbagoku has been a revelation, topping both goals and assists charts, and looking every bit as though he is ready to make the step up.
It is here that Lotito’s criticism looks disingenuous.
Carpi have been able to thrive in a climate where the traditionally bigger clubs are readjusting to a new financial climate. There is little money to go around, but there never has been for the likes of Carpi. They have been run the right way, and have improved little by little.
In 1909, when Adolfo Fanconi formed his football club in Carpi, he called it ‘Jucunditas’, taking the Latin word for ‘joyfulness’.
A few years later the name was changed. This Saturday, they may well find they want to change it back.
