Serie B: 2024-25 Preview (Part One)

Another Serie B season is upon us and it could prove to be the most competitive in some time. We’ve got four real contenders, a pair of floundering relegated sides, the dark horse to end all dark horses and, of course, ten new managers.

In the first half of this preview, we’ll take a look at ten teams; their hopes and dreams, their coaches (old and new), as well as some players to keep an eye on. Click here for part two.

Bari (Last season: 17th – playout winner)

Manager: Moreno Longo. A stabilising presence after last season’s four coach fiasco. Harshly sacked by Como last season.

Could argue they should have been relegated last season but unexpectedly beat Ternana in the playout. Another year of turnover, losing captain Di Cesare (retired) and numerous outgoing loanees. Outside bet for the playoffs, but mid-table feels more likely.

Key player: Giuseppe Sibilli. Carried an underwhelming attack last season and should resume his role as the team’s prime creator.

One to watch: Filippo Sgarbi. Arrives on loan from Napoli after an impressive spell in Serie C. Should start from week one as Sibilli’s attacking midfield partner.

Brescia (8th)

Manager: Rolando Maran. Joined in Nov ’23 when president Cellino hit the panic button, as he often does. Built a solid defence while maintaining an attacking presence.

Tricky customers for any side in the division despite not being a star-studded side. May have gone further in playoffs had they not lost Gennaro Borelli to injury late in the season. Playoffs are the expectation. They could be a dark horse to win them too.

Key player: Dimitri Bisoli. The team’s beating heart in midfield. Leads by example and nearly always fit, unlike defender Andrea Cistana, who is probably their best player.

One to watch: Nicolas Galazzi. Showed a lot of promise in the second half of last season. An attacking midfielder with a goal threat and the arrogance to not let this league bother him too much.

Carrarese (Serie C playoff winner)

Manager: Antonio Calabro. Took over in Jan’ and tightened their defence. Dragged them through the playoffs and achieved a shock promotion. Deserves a shot at this level.

Won the gruelling Serie C playoff tournament that feels more like the Hunger Games than football. Extra points for beating Juventus U23 along the way. Will need that grit to survive against all odds this season.

Key player: Marco Imperiale. Key defender in their promotion run and will be heavily relied upon to maintain order in Carrarese’s compact structure.

One to watch: Leonardo Cerri. On loan from Juventus, a striker with much to prove in Serie B. Alongside Roma loanee Luigi Cherubini, they could be the young livewires to keep Carrarese competitive.

Catanzaro (5th)

Manager: Fabio Caserta. Feels like a poisoned chalice taking over from Vivarini, who made this team dazzle. A tough task to repeat the success of last season.

Lost their manager to Frosinone and star player Jari Vandeputte to Cremonese. This season has mid-table/late playoff charge written all over it. Will need another huge season from Iemmello in front of goal if they are to make anything of it.

Key player: Pietro Iemmello. A premium grade goalscorer at this level. The Italian term for players like him is ‘Bomber di Provincia’, essentially a goalscorer at ‘provincial’ level, i.e. not for a 'big' team.

One to watch: Matias Antonini. Signed in Jan ’24 from Serie C and became a permanent fixture in the team. A modern defender with definite Serie A potential.

Cesena (Serie C/B winner)

Manager: Michele Mignani. Takes over from promotion winning coach Toscano who has failed to have any real impact at this level. He did well at Bari before inheriting a Palermo side at Easter, one which looked like it had given up.

We may have a genuine contender for consecutive promotions in Cesena. It’s asking a lot but they have something about them. Quality all over the pitch, including a bona fide goalscorer in Shpendi. Adding midfield experience in Simone Bastoni and Giacomo Calo should bring out the best in a high performing attack. Playoffs and maybe even more.

Key player: Cristian Shpendi. A striker who set the third tier alight last year and has Serie A football in his future. Should hit double figures.

One to watch: Tommaso Berti. A tidy playmaker and another with a bright future ahead, whether at Cesena or elsewhere.

Cittadella (14th)

Manager: Edoardo Gorini. Been at the club for almost a decade, first as assistant to Roberto Venturato and later as head coach. Well liked and familiar with the club’s pressing and collectivist footballing philosophy.

Cittadella find themselves among the relegation favourites each season. It’s not their fault they come from a small city, boast lesser resources and revenue opportunities than their rivals, but it is their reality. Their philosophy is clear: Ensure that they are greater than the sum of their parts. Flirted with the playoffs before collapsing into lower mid-table last year. Could be in trouble this time round, but they will likely find a way through to safety.

Key player: Simone Branca. This team thrives on the power of the collective which makes it hard to pick out any one star. Branca is this team’s driving force in midfield.

One to watch: Claudio Cassano. Exciting young attacking midfielder who should see more minutes this season and could be the perfect link between midfield and attack, something desperately needed in this side.

Cosenza (9th)

Manager: Max Alvini. Didn’t win a game from 20+ at Cremonese in 22/23, and won a single game in 13 with Spezia last season. This job is a real risk given Cosenza’s resources and loss of star attacker Tutino.

Briefly looked like challenging for the playoffs under Viali towards the end of the season. He’s gone and they also need to replace Gennaro Tutino’s 20 goals. Tough year ahead, could be dragged into a relegation battle.

Key player: Michele Camporese. There is no standout player left now that Tutino is gone but Camporese’s performances since joining in January will be vital in keeping this team afloat. At 32, he’s still young for an Italian defender.

One to watch: Tommaso Fumagalli. Was headed for Serie C golden boot before signing for Como in Jan’, where he barely kicked a ball. Perhaps this was the move he should have made, leading the line for a lower mid-table Serie B side.

Cremonese (4th)

Manager: Giovanni Stroppa. Took over after no wins in their first five games last season. Almost guided them to promotion, first in the regular season and again in the playoffs. Has done it before with Monza.

Tipping them for automatic promotion. Faded in the final stretch last year but have added serious quality in Vandeputte, plus a top ‘keeper in Fulignati. New forward Manuel De Luca could be vital if he can carry his Sampdoria form over. Along with Palermo and Sassuolo, here are your favourites for the title.

Key player: Jari Vandeputte. Devastating on Catanaro’s left wing last year, topping the assist charts. Another year like that and Cremonese will be in Serie A.

One to watch: Michele Collocolo. Expected him to kick on last year, having impressed at Ascoli. Perhaps injuries and a new environment did not help. Dependable midfielder on his day and one who could play a key role this year.

Frosinone (18th in Serie A)

Manager: Vincenzo Vivarini. The next rung on the ladder for him, having taken Catanzaro as far as he felt he could. Significant squad turnover and a lack of replacements could prove a challenge.

Immediate return to Serie B after winning the 22-23 title. Expect them to challenge if they can replace their numerous outgoings before the window closes, but that remains a big if. They may struggle early in the season but expect them to gather momentum as they grow into the campaign. Playoffs.

Key player: Riccardo Marchizza. Not many players remain from last season but the new captain looks like he’ll stick around. Crucial in defence, whether at full-back or centre-back.

One to watch: Giuseppe Ambrosino. Exciting attacker on loan from Napoli. Spent last season playing second fiddle at Catanzaro, so Vivarini must be keen to have him again.

Juve Stabia (Serie C/C winner)

Manager: Guido Pagliuca. His first time coaching at this level, having spent years in the lower leagues. Has a huge task on his hands to keep this team up.

Not as impressive as recent Serie C/C winners Bari or Catanzaro but will be glad to be back in B after a four year absence. Likely to face a battle to survive. If they can carry their title winning momentum into this season, they might build up an early points tally and ride their luck. But probably not.

Key player: Marco Bellich. A rock at the heart of defence and someone desperately needed to step up if they are to have any hope of staying up.

One to watch: Gabriele Artistico. Exciting attacker on loan from Lazio. Will be relied upon to create and score chances.

Don’t miss part two here! Let us know who you think is going up, down and sticking around on socials.