Reggina

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Location: Reggio Calabria
Manager: Nevio Orlandi
Ground: Stadio Oreste Granillo (Capacity: 27,763)

Pre-Season Training Began July 19 in Brusson, then moved to Gubbio
Friendlies Played: Reggina 12-0 Val D’Ayas (July 22); Reggina 2-1 Casale (July 27); Reggina 3-1 Aosta (July 31); Reggina 2-0 Pro Vercelli (August 1); Reggina 3-1 Juve Stabia (August 8); Reggina 0-0 Gubbio (August 9)
Friendlies Scheduled: Ancona (August 13)

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In: Antonio Rizzo (D, Perugia); Fabiano (M, Genoa); Santos (D, Genoa); Carlos Carmona (M, O’Higgins); Christian Puggioni (G, Peurgia); Francesco Cosenza (D, Ravenna); Bernardo Corradi (S, Parma)

Out: Francesco Modesto (D, Genoa); Nicola Amoruso (S, Torino); Gaetano Ungaro (D, Ravenna), Leonardo Pettinari (M, Ravenna); Nicolo Cherubin (D, Cittadella); Stephen Makinwa (S, Lazio); Nenad Novakovic (G, Aalesund); Mike Tullberg (S, Hearts)

Negotiating For: Alberto Paloschi (S, Milan); Papa Waigo (S, Fiorentina); Elvis Abbruscato (S, Torino); Alessio Sestu (M, Avellino); Pasquale Foggia (M, Lazio)

Transfer Rating: 6

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The Amaranto have gained a reputation around Italy for pulling off improbable survivals over the last few years.  Two years ago, they were penalized –11 points and managed to stay up due to the prolific strike partnership between Rolando Bianchi and Nicola Amoruso.  Bianchi left last season, but Nicola Amoruso remained and he lead the team to another incredible survival after two coaching changes.  The signing of Franco Brienza in January also played a great role in their second half success story.

Now Amoruso is gone and Reggina have replaced him with Man City outcast Bernardo Corradi.  Corradi was granted his wishes when he left Manchester and signed for Reggina, where he knew he would get plenty of playing time.  However, it will be a hard task for the veteran to fill the shoes of Amaranto hero Nicola Amoruso.

Aside from Corradi, Reggina haven’t added very many pieces this season.  They are counting on young talent, such as defender Andrea Costa and Uruguayan striker Christian Stuani, to lead them to salvation this season.  Another huge piece this year will once again be playmaker Franco Brienza, who netted 7 goals for the Calabrian outfit after he moved from Palermo in January.  Reggina fans are holding their breath with Brienza being a wanted man throughout Europe.  It is said that Reggina president Pasquale Foti has denied Brienza the new contract he wants, due to the fact he had signed one less than a year ago.  Brienza feels he deserves it and could be on his way out of Reggio.  German side Wolfsburg and La Liga’s Real Betis are said to be keen on Brienza’s services.  Reports are that Reggina are looking into bringing back Lazio playmaker Pasquale Foggia, a move that indicates they need a replacement for Brienza.

“Brienza remains with us,” President Foti has insisted.

No matter what happens, it will be a tough start to the season for Reggina as their captain Francesco Cozza will be out about two months with an injury.  For Reggina to be competitive, they must bring in another signing to bolster their attack.  Rumors surfaced about bringing Viola hitman Papa Waigo to Calabria, but the Senegalese player has stated his desire to prove himself with Fiorentina, even if he isn’t a regular in the starting lineup.

Reggina have lost defender Francesco Modesto to Genoa, while speedy back Salvatore Aronica is also ready to find greener pastures.  Good news is that star midfielder Edgar Barreto will be back another season for the Calabrians.  The Paraguayan national became a fan favorite for his trademark long-distance goals.  He will lead the way in the midfield, where we will also see young Carlos Carmona.  Carmona, a U-21 Chilean interntional, was the star of the Toulon tournament this past Spring and will be exciting to watch in the upcoming Serie A season.

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Prediction: Mid-table (9th-13th place). Homer pick maybe? This will only happen if they hold onto Brienza and sign one more striker.  If not, it will be another relegation dogfight.

Probable Formation: 4-3-2-1
Campagnolo; Costa, Cirillo, Valdez, Lanzaro; Hallfredsson, Carmona, Barreto; Brienza, Cozza; Corradi

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New Kits For 2008-09: Not yet released.

Reggina are hoping to land a loan deal for Milan striker Alberto Paloschi.  Reggina president Lillo Foti was in Milan to meet about the young talent.

“Paloschi is a player I like very much,” Foti said. “I met this afternoon with Milan.”

Paloschi, who scored just 15 seconds upon making his Serie A debut with Milan, is wanted by a Reggina side that are in desperate need of a goal scorer.  Milan vice president Adriano Galliani had made it known earlier in the year that they were willing to loan out Paloschi for some first team experience in the top flight, but only if other reinforcements were to arrive in his place.

Reggina are also reportedly very close to a deal with Manchester City to bring out of favor striker Bernardo Corradi to the southern side.  The Amaranto recently lost hero Nicola Amoruso to Torino and are hoping Corradi can fill those large boots.

A day after Reggina purchased the remaining 50% of Giandomenico Mesto’s contract from Udinese, he is on the move back up north to Genoa. Mesto enjoyed great success with Udinese last term and had hoped for an extended say with the Friulian club. Instead he is heading to Genoa, while Reggina in return will receive 3 million euros, full ownership of Brazilian defender Santos, as well as the loan of Brazilian midfielder Fabiano. The Brazilian pair had 44 games of experience between them for Genoa last season.

Mesto, who has been capped with the Italian national team, will have to fill in the shoes of the recently departed Genoa right wing-back Abdoulay Konko, who left I Grifoni for Sevilla after opening the eyes of many top clubs last season. Genoa has been one of the busiest teams in the summer market, verifying their desire to push for a spot in Europe next year.

The governing body of Italian football, the FIGC, announced on Thursday that prosecutors are investigating false accounting related to Genoa, Udinese, and Reggina.

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi and Udinese chief Franco Soldati are being accused of stipulating contracts for players rights with far higher value than they actually had. The FIGC prosecutor said player values were inflated to enable the two clubs to meet the financial stipulations needed to register for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.

Reggina President Lillo Foti (pictured) is also under the gun after being accused of inflating transfer fees so that the Calabrian club could register for the 2005-06 Serie A season.

La Gazzetta Dello Sport made no mention whether or not the the fines would be solely monetary, or if a point penalty is involved.

Reggina hero Nicola Amoruso is headed for Lazio. The veteran striker, affectionately known as Nick Dynamite, is leaving the Amaranto after leading them to consecutive Serie A salvations.

“Leaving Reggina is a painful choice,” said Amoruso. “I have a great relationship with the city and the fans. Even my relationship with the President, except for a few moments of tension, has always been so good.”

Reggina are left with the daunting task of replacing their main goal scoring threat. Young Uruguayan Christian Stuani is waiting in the wings, but Reggina are already searching the market. One rumor that has surfaced is that Rolando Bianchi could make a sensational loan return to Reggio Calabria. Reggina President Foti was reluctant to let Amoruso go, but knew the decision had to be made.

“I sold him for his willingness to confront a new reality,” said Foti. “To close his career with a team like Lazio, in a city like Rome.”

Foti also played down rumors that Emil Hallfredsson will be going to Lazio. The Icelandic national has had a smooth transition into Serie A and has caught the eye of Napoli as well as Lazio.

Reggina star left-back Francesco Modesto is set to make a move up north to Genoa. The 26-year-old has been linked to several elite clubs over the past year, nearly completing a move to Roma last summer. In addition to interest from Napoli in the January transfer window, he was also rumored to be a summer target for Juventus. In exchange for Modesto, Genoa could send either of Brazilian duo Danilo Sacramento or Fabiano Lima Rodrigues to Reggio Calabria. Modesto has scored 3 goals in 104 appearences for the Amaranto, after arriving from Ascoli in 2005.