Overview
After three years in Serie B, Livorno are back in the big time after finishing third last season. The Amaranto narrowly missed out on automatic promotion last season, needing a mere one point to clinch automatic Serie A promotion.
Despite the heartache of missing out on automatic promotion, Davide Nicola’s men deservedly clinched promotion via the playoffs.
The Tuscan side are already one of the favorites for relegation, after a relatively unconvincing transfer market so far.
Despite the team’s lacks of experience in Serie A, the Amaranto could surprise a few people this season. It is bound to be a difficult return to the top flight but it will certainly be a very interesting one for everyone involved at the club.
Mercato
Players out:
Vincenzo Fiorillo to Sampdoria
The 23-year-old Genoa native was the number one goalkeeper for much of last season but has returned home to Sampdoria after spending last season with Nicole’s men.
However, Livorno have brought in Francesco Bardi on loan from Inter as a replacement. The 21-year-old is an Italian under 21 international, who played a large role in helping the Azzurrini reach the European under 21 final this summer.
Simone Salviato to Novara
The full back is another player who played a relatively large part in helping the Amaranto win promotion to Serie A, but has been moved on to Novara.
Players in:
Marco Benassi on loan from Inter
The young Italian was an integral part of the Inter Primavera team which won the Next Generation tournament and the Primavera league in 2012, under the guidance of Andrea Stramaccioni.
He made his full Inter debut in January this year, where he started and starred in a 2-0 victory against Pescara.
His ability to break up play and then start the play means the central midfielder could be a big part of Nicola’s team.
The former Modena man certainly has a lot of potential and he should find regular playing time in Tuscany.
Alfred Duncan on loan from Inter
Nicola and the Livorno hirearchy clearly liked what they saw from the Ghanaian international last season as they have signed him up again for the upcoming season.
Despite only being at the club for six short months, The Black Stars man impressed, making a massive impact and was at the heart of the promotion push.
The 20-year-old was heavily linked to Sunderland throughout the summer, with The Black Cats supposedly making a €10 million bid for his services. However, the Nerazzurri clearly see potential in him and rejected any bids, loaning him out for a second time.
The young starlet should sit just in front of the back four and shield the defense, along with Benassi, with whom he played with at Inter.
Ibrahima Mbaye on loan from Inter
Yes you read it correctly, your eyes are not deceiving you. Mbaye is yet another youngster on loan from Inter this season and was also part of the all conquering Inter Primavera team.
The Senegalese full back has undoubtedly got talent, but is often prone to silly mistakes, which are often costly, especially when he will be up against some of the best players in the world next season.
Leandro Greco from Olympiacos
Greco is a name that will be familiar to many Romanisti, as the Italian spent two different spells in the capital with the Giallorossi.
The Roman is one player who does have Serie A experience, experience which could prove to be crucial this season. The former Hellas Verona man should complete an unspectacular but solid midfield along with the aforementioned Duncan and Benassi.
All arrivals:
Marco Benassi (Inter), Alfred Duncan (Inter), Francesco Bardi (Inter), Ibrahima Mbaye (Inter), Leandro Greco (Olympiacos), Cristiano Piccini (Fiorentina), Nahuel Valentini (Rosario Central), Sergio Mosquera (Envigado)
All departures:
Simone Salviato (Novara), Mirko Bigazzi (Olhanense), Vincenzo Fiorillo (Sampdoria), Savvas Gentsoglou (Sampdoria)
One massive boost for Nicola has been keeping a hold of their main striker and goalscorer Paulinho, who scored 22 goals last season, the joint second most in the division.
Paulinho was rumoured to be close to joining Sampdoria this summer but looks to be staying in Tuscany for the upcoming season. The Brazilian will need to be in similar form this season if he wants to help his team to Serie A safety.
Davide Nicola
Davide Nicola surprised many last season as he managed to guide Livorno to Serie A promotion with his attacking style of play last season (they amassed the second most amount of goals in Serie B last season.)
However, this season will show what he is really made of, as he battles the likes of Antonio Conte, Vincenzo Montella, Rafa Benitez and many other top class coaches.
Almost identical to a lot of his team, he has zero Serie A experience, something that could culminate in his and the squads downfall.
Predictions
20th place
Maybe it is just the pessimist in me, but unfortunately it looks like it will be a long hard season season for all the Livorno tifosi.
Even if the Amaranto were to somehow miraculously survive, the following season would be even tougher, as many of the players will have returned to their parent club.
Unless they make some serious moves before the window slams shut on the second of September, it is likely that they will be swiftly returning to the second tier of Italian football.
The aforementioned lack of experience in both the squad and the coach will more than likely be costly and sadly the party will be short lived at the Armando Picchi.
