Founded in 1908 and hailing from the same Piedmont region as Juventus and Torino, Novara are the surprise new additions to Serie A. Not only had they not been in the top flight for 55 years, but the season before saw them promoted to Serie B for the first time in 33 years. Like Cesena, they managed back-to-back promotions and are a team moulded in the image of Coach Attilio Tesser. The play-off victories against more credited sides like Reggina and Padova paved the way to Serie A.

The tactician has pledged to stand by the squad that got them here, which is effectively the same that started out two years ago in Lega Pro. Very few changes have been made to the starting XI, although they have lost hitman Pablo Gonzalez in a €5m move to Palermo. Investments have been made in the infrastructure, including training facilities that many of Italy’s top clubs could envy.

Can Novara follow Cesena’s footsteps in making an impact on their Serie A return, or will this be a mere flash in the pan? Either way, the club is making history with its first top flight campaign since 1955-56.