With the transfer market now shut, Ramez Nathan identifies the 10 new signings who shoulder the biggest expectations in Serie A this season.
10. Ismael Bennacer (Empoli to Milan)
Milan have put all their focus this transfer market in signing young talents to attain Marco Giampolo's vision for the side and to build a squad that can last for years to come, but if one name is expected to shine the brightest, it's definitely Bennacer.
Recently-relegated Chievo and Empoli shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Bentegodi this evening.
Click here for the full Serie B section, including results, fixtures and tables.
Visitors Empoli had taken the lead through Jacopo Dezi’s spectacular volley into the far top corner.
However, Filip Djordjevic cancelled it out with a trademark header on Davide Brivio’s cross.
Ismael Bennacer reveals why he chose Milan after talking to Marco Giampaolo, a new role and being prepared to “give everything for my team.”
The 21-year-old made his debut as a substitute during the 1-0 defeat to Udinese, but is expected to start against Brescia this weekend.
“Coming to Milan is the result of so much hard work, but it is just the beginning,” the Algeria international told DAZN in Italy.
Empoli got the better of Juve Stabia and Perugia completed a comeback to beat Chievo in a night of penalties.
Click here for the full Serie B section.
Empoli 2-1 Juve Stabia
Bandinelli 2 (E), Cisse 75 (JS), La Gumina pen 80 (E)
Perugia 2-1 Chievo
Meggiorini 3 (C), Iemmello pens 45, 69 (P)
Ascoli 3-1 Trapani
Scamacca 17 (A), Ferretti 64 (T), Luperini og 83 (A), Da Cruz 90 (A)
Genoa Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli is a former Roma boss and assistant manager, who insists Paulo Fonseca’s “influence” on the new team is visible.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“Roma’s strengths are clear for all to see and were last season too,” said Andreazzoli in his Press conference.
Roma and Genoa debut under new management, so Sam Wilson analyses Paulo Fonseca and Aurelio Andreazzoli’s tactical approaches.
Roma host Genoa this Sunday as the two sides begin their 2019-20 Serie A campaigns under new management. Both clubs were in need of tactical reshuffles after the somewhat concerning performances from the season before, which saw Roma drop into the Europa League and left Genoa fighting for survival.
New Genoa boss Aurelio Andreazzoli has connections to Roma, having spent a total of 10 years as an assistant between 2005-09 and 2011-17, including a brief 17-game spell in charge in 2013. That culminated in a Coppa Italia Final defeat to rivals Lazio.
There were surprises in the Coppa Italia Third Round, as Hellas Verona went out to Cremonese, Empoli taken to extra time, a six-goal Carpi thriller and prolific Frosinone.
Newly-promoted Hellas Verona saw their Coppa Italia campaign grind to a halt at the first hurdle.
Alan Empereur had put the hosts in front at the Bentegodi with a powerful volley on a corner, but deep into stoppages Cremonese equalised through a Michele Castagnetti tap-in following chaotic defending.
It is now official that Diego Farias will complete his transfer from Cagliari to Lecce in a deal reportedly worth €7m.
The 29-year-old Brazilian will undergo a medical tomorrow and sign the contract.
It’s due to be a loan with option to buy at the end of the season for a total of €7m.
However, as confirmed in the Lecce statement, it becomes an obligation to buy if the Salentini stay in Serie A.
Farias had also been heavily linked with Sassuolo and spent the last six months on loan at Empoli.
Silvio Berlusconi’s Monza shocked Serie B side Benevento to set up a tie with Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia third round.
Monza won a seven-goal thriller, surviving a late penalty to beat Benevento 4-3, and face Fiorentina in the next round.
Feralpisalo, Pisa, Perugia, Salernitana, Venezia, Crotone, Spezia, Sudtirol, Cremonese and Imolese, meanwhile, all secured Serie A ties.
So did Chievo, although the Flying Donkeys needed a penalty shootout to avoid a giant-killing at the hands of third-tier Ravenna.
The fixture list for the 2019-20 Serie B season has been released, running from August 24 to May 24, starting with Perugia-Chievo.
The calendar was drawn up in a ceremony in Ascoli this evening and it’s a particularly special season, as it marks the 90th anniversary of Italy’s second division.
Serie B returns to 20 teams this year, having adapted to 19 last season due to various bankruptcies.
