Why Serie B’s Tussle At The Top is Producing a Title Race to Remember – Calcio England

Destination Calcio feature by Calcio England

As the 2024-25 Serie B season converges on the halfway point, an exhilarating three-way race for the title is taking shape.

With only two automatic promotion spots up for grabs, at least one of the main contenders will be left to navigate the jeopardy of the play-offs.

There is even a chasing pack that could yet muscle their way into contention. Calcio England takes a look at the tussle to reach the top tier…

Sassuolo: Back on Track After Relegation

After a slow start to the campaign, relegated Sassuolo have found their stride and now lead the standings. The club retained several key players in the summer, including left winger Armand Lauriente (6 goals, 1 assist), attacking midfielder Cristian Volpato (2 goals, 2 assists), and Scottish full-back Josh Doig. Norwegian midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt is thriving in Serie B, having already matched his goal tally from the entirety of last season with six goals.

However, it is the return of Italian international Domenico Berardi that has been the catalyst for their impressive form in recent weeks. After 7 months on the sidelines, he has provided six assists and struck one goal in his last six games.

Sassuolo’s dynamic, free-flowing style of play is a testament to the philosophy of coach Fabio Grosso, who guided Frosinone to the Serie B title in 2022. The team’s ability to surge in the latter stages of matches reflects the winning mentality Grosso has instilled. The Neroverdi’s young squad have the momentum, talent and depth to make a compelling charge for the title.

Spezia: Unbeaten and Defensively Solid

Spezia, who narrowly avoided consecutive relegations last season, have been a revelation this year. Under coach Luca D’Angelo, the club remain unbeaten, built on a watertight defence that has conceded just 8 goals in 14 matches. Italian under-21 international centre-back Nicolo Bertola, 21, has emerged as one of the league’s most accomplished defenders, playing with a maturity beyond his years. He’s one to watch for the future.

Complementing that impermeable backline, a fraternal partnership holds the key to Spezia’s promotion hopes. Midfield dynamo Salvatore Esposito (3 goals, 6 assists) has been one of the most consistent performers in Serie B for several years and provides the heartbeat of Spezia’s midfield. His younger brother, Francesco Pio Esposito (7 goals, 1 assist), adds the firepower up front.

The 19-year-old striker, on loan from Inter Milan, is enjoying a breakthrough season, and his development will be key to Spezia’s aspirations. High on confidence, Esposito Junior will only improve as the season progresses.

Pisa: Rising Under Inzaghi’s Leadership

At the start of the campaign, few expected Pisa to challenge for the title, but the club’s strong early form has catapulted them into the conversation. The appointment of experienced coach Pippo Inzaghi, who won Serie B with Benevento in 2020, has proven to be a masterstroke. Left-winger Matteo Tramoni, 24, has flourished under Inzaghi, contributing 5 goals and 2 assists.

The Tuscans’ promotion hopes will rely on their two young forwards, Nicolas Bonfanti (5 goals, 0 assists) and Alexander Lind (3 goals, 2 assists), both 22. Their ability to find the back of the net regularly could be pivotal. At the other end of the pitch, defenders Samuele Angori (21) and Simone Canestrelli (24) are rightly attracting the attention of Serie A clubs.

While Pisa began the season in superb form, their recent dip in results means they must regroup to stay in contention. With the backing of Anglo-American owner Alexander Knaster, the club could reinforce their squad in the upcoming transfer window, as they aim to return to Serie A for the first time in over thirty years.

The Chasing Pack

Already, an eight-point gap has opened up back to the chasing group. Newly promoted Cesena, led by 21-year-old goalscoring sensation Christian Shpendi (9 goals), are still in the mix but face a tough task. Their hopes of breaking into the top three will hinge on the outcome of three home games against Sassuolo, Spezia and Pisa, scheduled in the new year.

Cremonese, in fifth, have had a turbulent season. After sacking coach Giovanni Stroppa early on, they reinstated him following a disappointing stint under Eugenio Corini. With their managerial situation stabilised – at least for the time being – Cremonese will look to build momentum and climb further up the standings.

Two sleeping giants, Bari and Palermo, reside in the play-offs, though with very differing outlooks. Unbeaten since August, Bari represent something of a surprise package after a dismal 2023-24 campaign that saw them survive by virtue of a relegation play-out. The resurgence of English-born midfielder Ahmad Benali – a lynchpin of promotion winning teams in the past – has been keen to their form.

By contrast, Palermo, backed by the financial might of the City Football Group, had been expected challenge at the very top of the table after investing heavily during the summer. To push on, they must address the miserable home form (just one win and four goals scored in six games) that has blighted their campaign to date.

Brescia, Catanzaro, and Sampdoria, all of whom participated in last season’s play- offs, are once again in and around the play-off zone. Catanzaro are the division’s draw specialists, having taken a single point from 10 of their 14 games so far. Sampdoria, in particular, will be disappointed with their position and have already replaced coach Andrea Pirlo with Andrea Sottil. Their continued struggles have prompted rumours of another managerial change.

Sampdoria’s travails, however, pale in comparison to Frosinone and Salernitana, both struggling to adapt to life in Serie B following relegation. Both clubs are in danger of going into freefall if they are unable to stabilise quickly.

Newly-promoted Juve Stabia and Mantova carried their promotion form into the new season with strong starts, though both have found results harder to come by in recent weeks. Operating with some of the lowest budgets in the league, reaching the play-offs would be a monumental achievement for either of these clubs. Cosenza remain a dark horse, despite the summer sale of talisman Gennaro Tutino to Sampdoria; without a four-point deduction for an administrative breach, they would be in the play-off spots.

Looking Ahead

The Serie B table is extremely tight, with just three points separating Brescia, in the final play-off spot, and Reggiana, in the relegation play-out positions. The compact nature of the league ensures that every game is crucial, with no team able to afford a sustained dip in form.

With five rounds of fixtures scheduled throughout December, the battle for promotion will heat up. The standout match will be on Boxing Day, when Pisa host Sassuolo in a crucial clash that could have a significant bearing on the title race. One thing is certain: this season’s Serie B is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory. With surprise results and the potential for upsets at every turn, only the most consistent sides will prevail as the race for promotion enters its decisive phase.

For more calcio insight and stories from Tom Griffiths, follow Calcio England on X.