Inside Padova: Andreoletti’s Tactics, Transfer Window and Best Players

Last season was a case of so near and yet so far for Padova.

The Biancoscudati reached the final of the Coppa Italia Serie C for the second time in three seasons, only to lose 5-4 on aggregate to Catania after leading on aggregate with two minutes left in the second leg.

Worse still, after finishing second in Serie C Group A, their bid for promotion was ended by Vicenza in the second round of the national phase of the play-offs.

Padova and their Veneto arch-rivals look set to slug it out for promotion again this season, with the Patavini currently top of Group A with 25 points out of a possible 27, seven ahead of their local foes.

Padova’s relentless pace this season is testament to the work of Matteo Andreoletti, who replaced Massimo Oddo in the summer. At 35 years of age, Andreoletti may be one of the youngest managers in the division but his football philosophy is very clear.

The Biancoscudati have taken Serie C by storm this term with an ultra-attacking 3-4-3 system, predicated on running and quick transitions.

“I’m constantly studying the game and watching tons of matches,” Andreoletti explained to Sky Sports Italy after the 1-0 win over Vicenza.

“Roberto De Zerbi, Gian Piero Gasperini, and Marco Giampaolo are the best.

“I’m not trying to come up with some crazy new system; I just want to take the best ideas from different coaches and make them work for my team. Our owners are really ambitious and want to get us promoted to Serie B and be successful.”

But while Padova have been flying on the pitch, they have done so in front of a near-empty stadium, at least at home.

Andreoletti was only five when the Biancoscudati moved to the out-of-town Stadio Euganeo in 1994 after leaving behind the Stadio Appiani near the old town, where they finished third in Serie A in 1958 under Nereo Rocco – one of the early pioneers of Catenaccio.

Plans to transform the Appiani into an urban park and ongoing discontent with Padova’s tenancy at the Euganeo have led to the ultras boycotting home matches this season. 

You can read in depth about the boycott here, but suffice to say that the issue surrounding the Euganeo remains a delicate topic of debate in Padua.

As does the ongoing court couse involving top scorer Michael Liguori. The 25-year-old has been sentenced to three years and four months in jail for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl six years ago, an accusation he has steadfastly denied.

Liguori’s lawyer has announced plans to appeal the trial court’s decision, while Padova have insisted the winger will be allowed to play until a final verdict is reached by a higher court.

Transfers: Padova had to operate on a budget this summer and did so admirably, with their only two permanent signings – striker Alberto Spagnoli and goalkeeper Michele Voltan – arriving on a free transfer from Ancona and Virtus Verona respectively. The Biancoscudati raised €1.50m (£1.25m) in transfer fees with the sale of teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni to Sampdoria, while the midfield duo of Tommaso Miccoli and Igor Radrezza left on a free – as did goalkeepers Antonio Donnarumma and Alessandro Zanellati.

Best performers: Mattia Fortin has kept five clean sheets in nine Serie C matches, while at the other end of the pitch Mattia Bortolussi and Alessandro Capelli have contributed with three goals apiece. The ever-present Lorenzo Crisetig remains a crucial figure in the Biancoscudati midfield, while centre-back Filippo delli Carri and left-back Giulio Favale have been as solid defensively as they have been going forward, contributing with two goals each.

Tactics: Andreoletti is firmly committed to a 3-4-3 system and results have backed him up so far. Padova have the second-best attack in Serie C Group A with 20 goals in nine matches – only Atalanta Under-23 have scored more with 21 – and the best defence.