Frosinone will step forward to make their Serie A debut in 2015-16, opening their campaign against Torino at the Stadio Matusa. It is a far cry from even two seasons ago, when just 2,800 fans attended their season opener – a 2-1 win over Ascoli.
Much has changed since then.
The Canarini have secured two successive promotions and will find themselves at Italy’s top table for the first time.
Roberto Stellone’s side score a lot of goals. Their 62 last season was second only to Pescara in a notoriously goal-shy Serie B. This prowess brought about a number of high scoring games, including a couple of 5-1 victories.
However, the freedom the forward players enjoyed brought about a defensive weakness too, as a 4-0 defeat at Bari was a low point.
Being so free scoring ensured that the Ciociari were able to remain resilient. No side since Pescara in 2012 had been promoted with as many defeats as Frosinone’s 11, but none of those losses came consecutively. Continually gathering points meant that, although there was mid-season wobbles, Stellone’s side were able to defeat Bologna in early May (in front of 6,446 this time) in what turned out to be the decider for second spot.
One other factor that cannot be overlooked is the importance of the Stadio Matusa. In two seasons, over Lega Pro and Serie B, only Ternana have left Frosinone with three points – their winner coming from a camouflaged midfielder appearing through fog.
It is a cliche that home games are important to struggling sides; that kind of record lends it truth.
Transfers
The Ciociari have undergone something of an overhaul over the summer and it is not unlikely that more than half their opening line-up will be debutants. Those will include a coterie of high-level youngsters, and some more experienced heads to shore up the defence.
The loanees include highlight rated Juventus goalkeeper Nicola Leali, given a chance to impress in Serie A for the first time. He is joined by Inter’s Samuele Longo, a striker who has been on the fringes for some time, but must see his move as an opportunity to show what he can do. Perhaps most excitingly of all, Roma’s Daniele Verde will be buzzing up and down the wing. He was the Giallorossi’s star in a few games last season, and has all the potential to light up Frosinone this.
They are joined by former Lazio journeyman Modibo Diakite, and full-back Daniel Pavlovic, and midfielders Raman Chibsah and Aleandro Rosi; all old heads that should be able to steady a ship that could be a little over-flamboyant at times in Serie B. A handful of players have left the club, but none any more than last season’s squad players.
The Coach – Roberto Stellone
Stellone has been in charge of Frosinone since 2012, and has overseen two promotions in that time. Stellone was never the greatest striker in the world, but was always more of a thinker than a destroyer, which has perhaps been to his benefit when coaching.
He is likely to set his team up in a 4-4-2 system, though the likes of Verde will be encouraged to join the front two, likely to be last season’s top scorer Federico Dionisi and Longo, as Stellone seems likely to continue to show attacking intent.
It is unclear whether he will be able to tighten his defence enough to ensure the Canarini are comfortable, but the old heads that have been brought in to that end indicate that the problem is at least being addressed.
Season Expectations
As for any newly-promoted side, the first aim has to be survival. Having been promoted on a wave of positivity, it is important that is not allowed to dissipate early in the season; to do that, and see Frosinone’s bubble burst so spectacularly might well see the side plummet. There are early season games with Juventus and Roma that perhaps offer that suggestion.
However, those games are opportunities, too. After Claudio Lotito’s comments last season belittling what Carpi and Frosinone would bring to Serie A, the Canarini would be delighted to get one over on Lazio, but beating any top side would really announce their arrival in and perhaps convince fans that they deserve to be there.
Prediction
History has shown that promoted teams who enter Serie A with attacking intent go one of two ways. Either that of Pescara, who flew a little too close to the sun, or Sassuolo, who have gone from strength to strength. There’s no way of knowing which Frosinone will end up being, but two promotions in two years might put some players out of their depth.
Expected finish: 20th. (NB: this is not necessarily Marco Jackson’s opinion but the average of our editors’ predictions.)
