Verona is undergoing yet another transformation as they continue to rebuild their squad after making significant changes in January. The club managed to secure their safety ahead of schedule last season, but they are not stopping there. With a focus on both selling well and investing in relatively unknown talents, the Italian side has welcomed a wave of new signings.
Paolo Zanetti has taken over the managerial role, looking for redemption after his previous experiences at Venezia and Empoli. The departures include key players like Cabal, who has joined Juventus, and Noslin, now at Lazio, following coach Baroni. Folorunsho has returned to Napoli, adding to the turnover. In contrast, the incoming players include Danish left-back Martin Frese from Nordsjælland, Moroccan playmaker Harroui, and two new strikers: Colombian Daniel Mosquera and Cape Verdean Dailon Livramento.
As fans adapt to the influx of new faces, they will need some time to navigate the starting line-up for fantasy football purposes. Despite these changes, the team will lean on last season’s reliable performers. Goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò, although he faced challenges defensively, proved to be a valuable asset, ranking as the fourth-best goalkeeper in terms of performance rating (6.33) among those who played at least 20 matches.
In midfield, Tomas Suslov is expected to pick up where he left off after a strong finish to last season. The Slovakian showed his prowess in set pieces, scoring three goals and providing five assists during the 2023-24 campaign.
For those who enjoy taking risks, Verona presents new exciting prospects. Keep an eye on Martin Frese, as the Danish player has a knack for scoring. Up front, Livramento adds intrigue, arriving from the Dutch Serie B where he netted 16 goals last season. Verona’s sporting director, Sean Sogliano, has a history of finding hidden gems, as demonstrated by recent signings.
In terms of potential line-ups, a 4-2-3-1 formation seems likely: Montipò; Tchatchoua, Magnani, Dawidowicz, Frese; Duda, Serdar; Tavsan, Harroui, Lazovic; Mosquera. There are several position battles to watch, including between Magnani and Coppola or Serdar and Suslov. When it comes to penalties and free kicks, expect Mosquera, Suslov, and Harroui to be in the mix for spot-kicks, while Suslov, Duda, and Harroui could take charge of set-piece duties. As the new season unfolds, Verona will be one to watch as they seek to establish themselves in a competitive league.