80,018 and 70,393. One of these numbers is the capacity of the San Siro the other is the entire population of the city of Serie A’s newest member Carpi (Hint the San Siro is the larger one).
The city of Carpi itself dates back to around sixth century AD with many believing that its name derives from Carpinus, a type of tree, suggesting that the area was once heavily wooded. In fact urban legend has it that Astolfo King of the Lombards lost his prized hawk while hunting in the area. Astolfo subsequently made a vow to God that if he helped him find his bird he would build a city in the area with a church dedicated to Our Lady at its centre. Not long afterwards Astolfo found his hawk perched upon a Carpinus tree, there and then he decided to name the city Carpi and build his church the Santa Maria, that stands to this day.
As the story suggests Carpi’s citizens are no strangers to miracles, yet never in their wildest dreams could they have ever imagined the journey there tiny provincial club would take over the last 13 years. From amateur football (6th Division Eccellenza) to Serie A on a budget less than what Daniele de Rossi earns in a year. The time for patting themselves on the back however is now over, if they Biancorossi are to survive they better get down to business sooner rather than later.
Summer Transfers
If they are to survive in the league this year the club knows it had to add experience to a squad that was lacking in that department, in terms of Serie A appearances anyway. That is what they have done in the mercato so far, worryingly for the club though there is a big difference between having experience and still having the ability to play at such a high level.
One huge loss for the club is goalkeeper Gabriel who has left after a season long loan deal. Gabriel was arguably the best keeper in Serie B last season and replacing him will prove no easy matter. The two who will be attempting to do just that are Zeljko Birkic who joins on loan from Udinese and Francesco Benussi. While both are capable keepers they are a step down in quality from Gabriel in a position that you feel will be quite busy this season.
Other arrivals such as Ryder Matos, Nicolas Spolli and Andrea Lazzari you feel would have been decent transfers a couple of years ago, but if they still have the quality to deliver week in week out is debateable. Another signing Wallace flopped when on loan at Inter before spending last season in the Eredivise with Vitesse Arnhem where he was steady if unspectacular.
One signing who may prove inspired though is Luca Marrone from Juventus. Now 25 years of age Marrone can no longer be described as an up and coming talent as such he is nearing his last chance saloon to really make it as a credible Serie A player. His talent is undeniable however and maybe just maybe in the less ferocious atmosphere of Carpi he can finally begin to deliver.
In general there transfer market so far has been nothing to write home about and it looks as if the responsibility of keeping them up will rely on the shoulders of those who got them there in the first place such as Jerry Mbakogu, Kevin Lasagna, Lorenzo Pasciuti and others.
Looking ahead to 2015/2016
After leading Serie B from virtually start to finish last season there is no doubt that confidence will be high among the squad. The trick is for them to ride that wave of confidence for as long as possible.
If that can be achieved Carpi may be able to pull off a few more shocks than first expected and follow in the footsteps of neighbours Sassuolo who while they won’t admit it they’ll be looking to emulate.
One key notch in the negative column for them however is the situation with their tiny Stadio Cabassi. With the ground able to just hold over 4000 people it has been deemed unsuitable for use in Serie A by the FIGC. It is a cruel blow that means the club will have to play their home matches in Modena’s Stadio Braglia 20km away for the foreseeable future.
Also while Carpi’s average attendance last season of just 3000 was perfect for the Cabassi it will look completely lost in the 21,000 seater Braglia. Not only will the club now be playing in a half empty stadium where on occasions they may very well be outnumbered by travelling support, the clubs main Ultra group the GDL have announced they will only attended away matches as a form of protest to not being allowed play at their own stadium.
It is not good news for a side that will need everyone rowing in the same direction if they are to have any chance of staying up.
Key Player: Jerry Mbakogu
A goal ever two games last season in Serie B for the big 22 year old Nigerian points to one thing, he knows where the goal is and having someone very much capable of doing just that may be Carpi’s saving grace in what will be a very though year.
One slight drawback for Mbakogu is his complete lack of experience at this level having never played higher than Serie B before. Nonetheless he has the physical presence to be more than a handful for any defence he faces through the course of the year.
Looking ahead to their first fixture against a Sampdoria side looking in a bit of disarray under Walter Zenga, if Mbakogu can hit the ground running in that match a very good season could be on the cards.
An unknown quantity maybe but that could very well be Mbakogu’s ace in the hole.
Sadly though for Carpi no matter how good a season he has I feel that they are on a hiding to nothing and that a swift return to Serie B is on the cards.
If they do survive however expect there to be a lot of new churches in Carpi come this time next year, because just like aforementioned Astolfo, King of the Lombards a vow to God may be the only way to get what they want.
Predicted League Finish: 20th
Coppa Italia: Quarter Final
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