🧨 12 new managers: their playing styles and the positions set to shine 🧙‍ | OneFootball

The Serie A has changed 12 coaches out of 20 compared to last year, and each coach brings with them different modules, ideas, and ways to enhance the players.

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Let's see which roles can benefit the most from the changes on the bench

🟡🔴 Roma

Gian Piero Gasperini will highlight the insertion midfielder, a central figure in his 3-4-2-1. This role, already crucial in his previous experiences, favors players capable of attacking space, inserting themselves into the area, and contributing to the finalization.

In this perspective, the new signing Neil El Aynaoui has been tested in that position and could benefit from Gasperini's dictates.

The "Gasp's wingers" are also famous, and this year they could be Angeliño and Wesley: great running and good quality, although much less physicality compared to the wingers who performed well at Atalanta.

It is also worth noting the use of the trequartistas/wingers: therefore, Soulé and the latest arrival Bailey may benefit from Gasperini, just as the strikers have always done in his teams: Ferguson and - in case he stays - Dovbyk.

🔴⚫️ Milan

In Max Allegri's Milan, the central defenders and goalkeeper could increase their ratings: Maignan, De Winter, Tomori, and Gabbia in particular. The mid-low block of the Rossoneri will tend to avoid gross errors by the defenders, or at least less visible ones compared to the modules that expose the central defenders to long runs or errors in setting up.

This type of game could favor the counter-attacks of Leao and Estupinan on the left flank or a fast central striker, in case one arrives from the market. At the same time, the Rossoneri could struggle against teams that close up near their goal.

⚫️🔵 Inter

Chivu's Inter will re-propose the three-man defense but will give a different interpretation in intensity and development of the maneuver. Probably with fewer long balls and tighter exchanges on the outside of the three-quarters, the wingers like Dumfries, Luis Henrique, Dimarco, and Carlos Augusto (probably more suited to the left flank) will be heavily involved.

The midfielders like Barella, Sucic, and Frattesi - if they have space - can dialogue with the ball at their feet and insert themselves into the advanced areas of the field. More difficult is the analysis of the strikers: they shouldn't contend for so many high balls as in the past, but much will depend on the eventual purchase of an outside player/trequartista to deploy under the striker. For this, it's still too early to make predictions about the potential benefit brought by Chivu to Lautaro, Thuram, Pio Esposito, and Bonny.

🔵⚫️ Atalanta

Juric's Atalanta maintains the core principles of Gasperini's formation but historically favors the first strikers less than his predecessor. Who benefits from Juric's game, however, are the wingers on the entire flank: Bellanova already at Torino (precisely with Juric) had provided many assists. In addition to him, also Zappacosta and in general, the fifth of the Dea could have a good season.

A role that could be favored by Juric is that of the trequartista behind the striker in the 3-4-2-1 or in the 3-4-1-2: in particular, Samardzic, if he finds continuity of employment, could improve his performances. To be evaluated is the position of CDK (trequartista or mobile striker) in addition to the numerous battery of advanced midfielders of the Dea. And keep an eye on Krstovic, who seems like the perfect profile to take Retegui's place.

🟣 Fiorentina

Fiorentina could acquire many of Pioli's characteristics: namely, a strong offensive predisposition. Gosens and Dodo can confirm what they did well last season, and Pioli knows how to build the team around the outside lanes: the example of the Theo-Leao pair is emblematic.

The insertions of the midfielders have never been lacking in his teams, and in particular, Sohm and Fazzini are the most suited to exploit them, also thanks to Gudmundsson's movements between attack and three-quarters. Kean, on the other hand, must repeat himself on a personal level, and Pioli is the right coach to exploit him.

🟤 Torino

Baroni's Torino can give prominence to a roster with several elements to be enhanced: in Baroni's 4-2-3-1, the overlaps of the full-backs have great space, so Valentino Lazaro (the most offensive of the roster) can benefit from it.

The growth of the wingers under Baroni has been evident: Vlasic, Ngonge, Aboukhlal, and maybe Oristanio (if he arrives from Venezia) could improve as Noslin did at Verona. Attention to the position of Che Adams, who could split between attack and three-quarters, but it's still too early to say who will be the starter.

⚪️🔵 Lazio

Lazio's second season under Sarri will have the same players as last year, and history tells us that with him, Romagnoli has done very well, suited to the coach's way of defending, or the growth of Provstgaard. In the same department, Gila can also bring good ratings, in addition to Nuno Tavares.

Sarri then manages to enhance the wingers and the first striker: in this case, they are well-known names, almost obvious, but who can repeat what they have already done well: Zaccagni, Pedro, Cancellieri, and Castellanos. Attention to the position of Isaksen, who, due to a health problem, has missed almost the entire preparation; while Dia starts behind Taty in the hierarchies and will probably also play the Africa Cup.

A note for Dele-Bashiru: if Sarri manages to discipline him tactically, he can bring bonuses as a insertion midfielder, otherwise, he could also drop in the hierarchies. As they say, "now it's up to him".

🔴🔵 Cagliari

The new Cagliari of Pisacane can only be deciphered from the pre-season friendlies in which the new coach has tried more solutions: both with a three-man defense and a four-man defense.

For now, the most "secure" module seems to be the 4-3-3, and Pisacane himself has expressed his ideas: "We want everyone to touch the ball [...] with concepts of triangulations, mobility, occupation of spaces, and individual responsibility within a collective system".

So, the setup from the bottom and verticality will be sought: a system that can favor the insertion midfielders like Folorunsho, the offensive wingers, in addition to Luvumbo. The central midfielders will be fundamental, as well as Piccoli, Sebastiano Esposito, and Felici, especially if Cagliari opts for a 3-5-2 / 3-4-2-1.

🟡🔴 Lecce

Eusebio Di Francesco will use his aggressive 4-3-3 to sign Lecce's umpteenth salvation, characterized by high pressing, ball recovery in the opponent's three-quarters, and rapid offensive transitions.

The central point of the system will be the low play: at the moment, the main options are Pierret, more of a playmaker, and Yilber Ramadani, with greater defensive propensity.

The goals will then have to pass through the central striker, who, for now, is De Luca, but the arrival of Sanabria is imminent. The midfield insertion of Bondo is crucial for Nicola's system, as well as the wingers Zerbin and Pezzella, who will sweat on the flank and, at the same time, could make themselves noticed for their commitment and crosses.

⚫️🟢 Sassuolo

Sassuolo's Fabio Grosso has dominated in Serie B and arrives in Serie A with clear ideas: 4-3-3 vertical, focused on rapid development, individuality, midfielders with a touch, and the use of a physical central striker.

Grosso's game can favor dynamic midfielders like Boloca, the new signing Koné, and also the insertions of Thorstvedt (despite being prone to injuries). The full-backs who do not disdain the advances like Doig will put crosses for a player skilled with his head like Pinamonti: an upgrade in the area compared to Moro.

The offensive wingers in this module are fundamental, and it's impossible not to mention Berardi, Laurienté, or his eventual replacement if he were to be sold.

🩶🔴 Cremonese

Cremonese's Davide Nicola has the goal of saving himself with his starting 3-5-2, oriented towards great physicality and compactness. Most of the offensive production should pass through the feet of Vandeputte, deployed as a midfielder or winger. To be evaluated is Franco Vazquez, who could have more freedom compared to his teammates, but the physical performance at 36 years old in Serie A is still to be tested.

The goals will then have to pass through the central striker, who, for now, is De Luca, but the arrival of Sanabria is imminent. The midfield insertion of Bondo is crucial for Nicola's system, as well as the wingers Zerbin and Pezzella, who will sweat on the flank and, at the same time, could make themselves noticed for their commitment and crosses.

🔵⚫️ Pisa

Pisa's Gilardino is moving clearly towards a three-man defense within a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 to try to cover the field with solidity, bring more men forward on the flanks, and try quality plays on the three-quarters.

Gilardino himself has said that he wants to enhance the trequartistas like Tramoni or attackers who can lower themselves like Meister; to be evaluated is the position of Cuadrado behind the striker or on the flank in case Gilardino chooses a more offensive setup. The wingers on the entire field will have to work a lot: Touré and Angori first and foremost. In attack, the starter seems to be Nzola, called to redeem himself after opaque seasons.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

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