Currently sitting in 18th place, two points from safety, Frosinone are performing to a higher standard than many will have expected them to in their debut Serie A season.
Under the guidance of youthful coach and former player Roberto Stellone the Canarini have been very impressive while in their diminutive backyard the Stadio Matusa, where they have picked up almost all of their 14 points. And yet, their current 18th position will not be good enough come May and a complete inability to convince away from home is the big question mark that hangs over Frosinone’s fight to avoid the drop.
And yet, their current 18th position will not be good enough come May and a complete inability to convince away from home is the big question mark that hangs over Frosinone’s fight to avoid the drop.
Highlight so far
As mentioned, Frosinone’s home form is undoubtedly the asset to note from the first half of the season. Between early September and December, the Ciociari were unbeaten at home; a run of three straight wins included victories over rivals Carpi and a strong Empoli side, their first in the division, generating vital confidence.
The new boys have also had a knack of meeting teams at the right moment. Sampdoria visited the Matusa in the midst of Walter Zenga’s doomed tenure to receive a 2-0 defeat while a first-ever Serie A point was stolen at the death by Leonardo Blanchard against a Juventus that were devoid of their usual clinical attribute.
Finally, while a few familiar faces have been added to the Canaries’ squad, the little-known Federico Dionisi has been the stand-out player with a haul of five goals and three assists. The 28-year-old winger is joined in the scoring charts by another attacker who’s learned his trade in the lower leagues, former Atletico Roma target man Daniel Ciofani hitting a useful four goals.
Biggest disappointment
While they’ve been the 14th-best side in terms of home form, the Gialloazzurri rank rock bottom as an away side in Serie A this season. Eight games played, seven defeats, one last minute draw stolen at Juve, this is the reason they sit in the relegation zone. Frosinone
Eight games played, seven defeats, one last minute draw stolen at Juve, this is the reason they sit in the relegation zone. Frosinone have gone five games away from the Matusa without scoring and have conceded four on three occasions. The second half of the season takes them on the road to, among others, Genoa, Hellas Verona and Carpi, which will likely turn into must-win games as they seek to reverse their current trend.
The second half of the season takes them on the road to, among others, Genoa, Hellas Verona and Carpi, which will likely turn into must-win games as they seek to reverse their current trend.
In addition, problems at the back have been marked by a real inconsistency. Just two clean sheets all season tell a story of a side willing to attack but often picked off by more experienced opponents and even their home form is affected by this; no side has conceded more goals in their own back garden than Frosinone.
This factor cost them dearly in defeats against AC Milan and Torino and also denied an invaluable win over Genoa, whilst even Verona almost overcame a three-goal deficit to grab a point.
This factor cost them dearly in defeats against AC Milan and Torino and also denied an invaluable win over Genoa, whilst even Verona almost overcame a three-goal deficit to grab a point.
Transfer hit
Bringing top-flight experience to a team of fresh faces, Modibo Diakite has been a solid figure in central defence since arriving on a free transfer from Cagliari. Of course, a severe lack of budget to play with has harmed the Canaries, noticeable through their frequent delving into the loan market during the summer months. The best results of which
Of course, a severe lack of budget to play with has harmed the Canaries, noticeable through their frequent delving into the loan market during the summer months. The best result of which has been the ever-improving.
Transfer flop
Depending on loan signings has been a fools errand in some ways, though, promising youngsters can turn into flops very quickly, as found out with Inter striker Samuele Longo.
Clearly the 23-year-old has not impressed as many thought he could with the Lazio-based side, making just nine appearances without a goal.
The same can be said for Club Brugge loanee Nicolas Castillo and free transfer Aleksandar Tonev.
What next?
Frosinone are learning, but it may well be too late as one looks ahead to their Spring fixture list.
Woeful away results will have to change as they face rivals while their consistency at the Matusa will be challenged to the maximum when they welcome seven of the current top ten in their final nine home matches.
That said, there is a guarantee of exuberance and a degree of unpredictability that could continue the Canaries’ life as the surprise package of calcio for some time yet.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com