1. Pasquale Marino (44 years old, Catania)
Until the full “half-set” of Serie A there is not enough deferred match of the 16th round of “Catania” - “Empoli”. The Sicilian element prevented its planned holding, and the new date was set on January 24. But with any outcome, the impudent "elephants", as the Katanians sometimes call, will boldly bring the first round to their asset. And in this, the merit of the head coach of the newcomer to the elite Pasquale Marino is enormous.
The debut of the Marsalsian at the highest level was a sight for sore eyes. Although it cannot be said that Marino (translation of the name into Russian - “marine”) emerged from nowhere. Sicilian coach - a figure known in the lower divisions. In addition to his success with Catania, there are three other promotions in his dossier with provincials. As a footballer, Pasquale did not rise above the C1 series. And most of Marino’s coaching career went to his native Sicily. Therefore, he is well aware of the features and colors of island football. He is trusted and respected in the south.
Before the start of the championship, few could have imagined that the Catania would climb so high. The total value of its players, the total indicator in the payroll and the club budget are almost the most modest in the league. Despite this, the innovator Marino focuses the team on bold constructions 4-3-3 and 3-4-3. After the opening win in Cagliari, he said that he did not notice a big difference between series A and B.
Confidence was transferred to players who were not stopped even by devastating slap in the face, like the Roman one: in the 12th round the “elephants” were crushed by “Roma” - 0: 7. The coach immediately after that meeting said: “This game will serve as a good lesson. We will draw conclusions, and in the return match the picture on the field will be completely different.“ Roma ”is a strong team, and it turned out absolutely everything. However, I am convinced that we will prove at home that the difference in class is not so huge ... "
2. Walter Mazzarry (45 years old, "Regina")
It is probably foolish to deny that the not impressive minus pit of the “mojigate” became the catalyst that made Regina rally and in a desperate rush to rush after the general group. Logically, a similar course of events was completely allowed. But in light of the massive personnel losses of the Calabrians in the offseason, their powerful beginning was a complete revelation.
Indeed, the ultimate dream of southerners in all years has always remained the preservation of an elite residence permit. The past season is no exception. The team, as usual, was hanging in the lower half of the registry and in the end was able to solve the problem. When in the off-season, “Regina” significantly weakened (the style-forming bayonets left: midfielders Kotstsa, Paredes, Vidjani, Biondini plus defenders Ivan Franceschini and De Rosa), it seemed that she was doomed ...
Nevertheless, no one was going to fall before the shot. Especially the head coach. Walter Mazzarri, apparently, charged the wards with inexhaustible optimism and thirst for struggle. And how else to explain, for example, that the previously unremarkable striker Bianchi scored 4 goals in the first two rounds, whereas he had never before spent even three goals in a season? Now the striker has 10 goals. And what about the mature and entrepreneurial actions of Honduran Julio Leon, who acts as a projectile carrier, and last year who was at the back of the B series in Avellino?
In anticipation of each match, Mazzarri categorically declares that she sets the team exclusively for victory - they say that she sees no other way out of the pit. In order to make a miracle, you need to finish near the 40-point (plus or minus 2) line. In other words, to score "in fact" at least 50 points. Even in the best season, which became the Regins championship-1999/2000, they could not boast of a positive balance of victories and defeats, which is now vital ...
3. Stefano Colantuono (44 years old, “Atalanta”)
For the steering club of Bergamo, there is the sixth season of professional activity, which first immersed the mentor in the world of Serie A. Colantuono is considered to be a successful coach: in four out of five cases his teams took places in the top five, and once the Catania led by him settled on the 9th line.
And now there are all the prerequisites to complete the season in the upper half, which for the beginner will be an absolute success. Colantuono confirms the reputation of a competent specialist. And the visiting card of "Atalanta" can be called an enviable militancy and lack of timidity, even in front of recognized giants. In particular, in the guest battles with “Roma” and “Inter” (both ended in similar failures 1: 2), the Bergamians did not yield to venerable opponents in the game.
Denis ORLOV