To evaluate Chievo’s season so far is certainly a difficult task considering their mixed and inconsistent form during this Serie A campaign, although after recovering from a brief blip, the Ceo will be keen to fly once again
It was a surprising yet promising start for Rolando Maran’s men, who at one point suitably topped the Serie A league table. However, this conspicuous form was soon contradicted by one league win in eight games, and the reoccurring threat of relegation loomed dangerously once again.
Following this slight slump, the Gialloblu have since successfully recovered and firmly established their spot within the Europa League chasing pack, occupying 11th place on 22 points.
Players of the year
Chievo’s striking talisman, Alberto Paloschi, was once again one of their star men during their top of the table flirtation at the start of the season, scoring a well-taken brace during their 4-0 thrashing of Lazio at the Stadio Bentegodi.
Another impressive member of their squad has been the emerging Roberto Inglese, who perhaps scored their best goal of the season when he struck a long-range thunderbolt during their narrow 3-2 defeat to Udinese.
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This promotion to the Gialloblu first team has coincided well with his superb 2015, in which he also played a crucial role in Carpi’s historic elevation to the highest tier of Italian football.
It may be seen that Inglese will have an even more crucial role within the team, if the rumours linking the former AC Milan man Paloschi with a move a to the Premier League are true.
Highlight of the season
In terms of a season highlight after 17 matches, it has to be the already discussed demolition of Lazio. It was a memorable victory in which an inspired Riccardo Meggiorini provided goals and assists for the clinical Paloschi, and ultimately ensured an unforgettable three points against the Roman club.
This impressive victory in the second game-week of the season was swiftly followed by their hard-fought 1-1 draw to Juventus, when a narrow victory was snatched away by a late Paulo Dybala penalty at the Juventus stadium.
Biggest disappointment
Despite this initial lofty flight from the Donkeys, it was soon shot down by four league defeats in a meagre five domestic matches, topped off by a 1-0 loss to relegation candidates Palermo.
This sudden drop in form produced a few murmurs perhaps linking Maran with the departure door, although the club’s faith was justifiably repaid when he earned efficient victories over Carpi, Frosinone and Atalanta. This trio of wins helped dispel any doubts regarding the team’s stuttering form and helped propel themselves away from the worrisome relegation zone.
Transfer hits and misses
For a close-kit group such as Chievo, multitudinous transfers have rarely made a huge impact an impact at the Bentegodi, and the previous summer was much of the same. The anticipated arrival of Simone Pepe from Juventus has not lived up to forecasted optimism, with the 32-year-old scoring only one goal in 11 Serie A appearances.
Ex-Cagliari man Paul-Jose M’Poku has also been a mighty disappointment for the Ceo this season, appearing just five times in the league since his €3.5 million from Standard Liege in the summer. The 23-year-old impressed for the Rossoblu last season, although a fractured cheekbone has since hindered his progress in Verona.
Two players who have impressed since their arrivals however, are both Massimo Gobbi and Lucas Castro. The 34-year-old Gobbi has in particular has slotted in perfectly to Maran’s organised defensive quartet, whereas winger Casto has provided such much-needed creativity along the flanks.
What next?
It still remains to be seen how Chievo’s season will be pan out after the Christmas break, especially after the vast inconsistencies that have more-or-less defined it so far. However, fans from the North Side will take confidence in the fact that several of their defeats have come to the hands of top four opposition, losing narrowly to the in-form trio of Inter, Napoli and Fiorentina without registering a goal in any game.
During a season when the race for the Scudetto is unbelievably tight, one may take comfort in these disappointing yet proud losses. Furthermore, if these defeats are counter-balanced by triumphs against lesser opposition, then the thought of relegation should rarely trouble them.
As for a prediction, mid-table is the most likely option, but this does not mean that Rolando Maran’s men cannot build upon their proficient first-half and a late charge for the Europa League may also be a possibility.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com