🧨 12 new managers: their playing styles and which positions will shine 🧙‍

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

Let's see which roles can benefit the most from the changes in 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 externals" are also famous, and this year they can be Angeliño and Wesley: great running and good quality, even if much less physicality compared to the externals that performed well at Atalanta.

It's also worth noting the use of the three-quarters/externals: therefore, Soulé and the latest arrival Bailey may benefit from Gasp, just as the tips have always done in his teams: Ferguson and - if he stays - Dovbyk.

🔴⚫️ Milan

In Max Allegri's Milan, the central defenders and goalkeeper could increase their votes: Maignan, De Winter, Tomori, and Gabbia in particular. The medium-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.

This type of game could favor the restarts of Leao and Estupinan on the left flank or a fast central attacker, in case they arrive from the market. At the same time, the Rossoneri may struggle against teams that are closed near their goal.

⚫️🔵 Inter

Cristian Chivu's Inter will re-propose the 3-man defense but will give a different interpretation in terms of intensity and development of the maneuver. Probably with fewer long balls and closer exchanges on the external three-quarters, the externals like Dumfries, Luis Henrique, Dimarco, and Carlos Augusto (probably even more suited to the left flank) will be involved a lot.

The midfielders like Barella, Sucic, and Frattesi - if they have space - may dialogue with the ball at their feet and insert themselves into the advanced areas of the field. More difficult is the analysis of the attackers: they should not contend for so many high balls as in the past, but much will depend on the possible purchase of an external/three-quarter to be deployed under the tip. For this reason, it's still early to take a stance on the potential benefit brought by Chivu to Lautaro, Thuram, Pio Esposito, and Bonny.

🔵⚫️ Atalanta

Juric's Atalanta maintains the cardinal principles of Gasperini's formation, but historically favors the first tips less than his predecessor. Who instead benefits from Juric's game are the full-backs: Bellanova had already provided many assists at Torino (precisely with Juric). In addition to him, also Zappaccosta and in general, the quintets of the Dea could have a good season.

A role that could be favored by Juric is that of the three-quarter behind the attacker 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 (three-quarter or mobile tip) in addition to the numerous battery of advanced midfielders of the Dea. And eye on Krstovic, who seems to be the perfect profile to take Retegui's place.

🟣 Fiorentina

Fiorentina could acquire many of Pioli's characteristics: i.e., a marked offensive predisposition. Gosens and Dodo can confirm what they did well in the previous season, and Pioli knows how to build the team around the external corridors: the example of the Theo-Leao couple 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 valued: in Baroni's 4-2-3-1, the overlaps of the full-backs have great space, so Valentino Lazaro (the most offensive in the roster) can benefit from it.

The growth of the externals under Baroni has been evident: Vlasic, Ngonge, Aboukhlal, and maybe Oristanio (if he arrives from Venezia) could improve like Noslin did at Verona. Attention to Che Adams' position, who could split between attack and three-quarters; whoever will be the owner is still early to say.

⚪️🔵 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 votes, in addition to Nuno Tavares.

Sarri then manages to enhance the wings and the first tip: in this case, they are well-known names, almost obvious, but who can repeat what they have already done: Zaccagni, Pedro, Cancellieri, and Castellanos. Attention to Isaksen's position, 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.

An additional note for Dele-Bashiru: if Sarri manages to discipline him tactically, he can bring bonuses as an insertion midfielder; otherwise, he could also scale down 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 3-man defense and with a 4-man defense.

For now, the most "safe" 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".

Therefore, the setup from the bottom and verticality will be sought: a system that can favor the insertion midfielders like Folorunsho, the offensive externals, in addition to Luvumbo. Piccoli, Sebastiano Esposito, and Felici will be fundamental, 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 setter, and Yilber Ramadani, with greater defensive propensity.

On the offensive corridors, Di Francesco relies on his fast externals: like Lameck Banda, Santiago Pierotti, Tete Morente, and the new signing Riccardo Sottil. Up front, the role of the reference center-forward remains crucial, a role that today would be covered by the young Francesco Camarda, certainly an interesting bet.

⚫️🟢 Sassuolo

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

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

🩶🔴 Cremonese

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

The goals will then have to pass from the center-forward, who for now is De Luca, but the arrival of Sanabria is imminent. The insertion of Bondo in the midfield is fundamental for Nicola's system, as well as the externals Zerbin and Pezzella, who will sweat on the flank and, at the same time, could make themselves noticed for their commitment and crosses.

🔵⚫️ Pisa

Gilardino's Pisa is moving clearly towards a 3-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 plays of quality on the three-quarters.

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

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