The Serie A 16/17 season is upon us and VAVEL Calcio are proud to bring you an ultimate guide to the new season.

Within the guide you will find previews on each and every side participating in the 115th edition of Italy’s premier league competition as well as all you need to know about the upcoming season. Without further ado, we bring you the ultimate guide...

A look back…

Last term Juventus eventually strolled to their 5th consecutive scudetto title despite stumbling initially, the fairy-tale stories of promoted Carpi and Frosinone ended in tears as both went straight back down after a solitary season in the top flight. Furthermore, Gunner Nordahl’s 35 goal record was surpassed by a truly unstoppable Gonzalo Higuain who netted 36 over the course of the season. Both Milanese sides failed to secure Champions League football as their plight continues and Palermo only managed to go through nine managers with thanks to notoriously fire happy president Maurizio Zamparini cracking the whip at any given opportunity and sending manager by manager on.

Juventus celebrate their fifth straight scudetto | Photo: Gazzettaworld.com
Juventus celebrate their fifth straight scudetto | Photo: Gazzettaworld.com

Who’s coming and going?

As with every season, teams come and go and this season is no different. While we bid farewell to the aforementioned Carpi and Frosinone, Hellas Verona followed them after a truly shocking season. Coming into the big time are, Serie B champions Cagliari, who are no strangers to the league and will be embarking on their 37th season. Serie B runners up Crotone will be the only debutants this term meanwhile Pescara snuck in through the playoffs and return for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

New stadium for sides to visit

The majority of sides in the top flight have played in both Cagliari and Pescara’s respective stadiums but Crotone’s Edia Sciza is much more of an unknown commodity. The stadium holds just shy of 10,000 spectators and is smaller than each of last season’s new boy’s homes.

Most clubs will visit the Ezio Scida for the first time | Photo: ilcrotonese.it
Most clubs will visit the Ezio Scida for the first time | Photo: ilcrotonese.it

The Ball

The Nike Ordem 4 is the official match ball of Serie A for the season and will also be seen with a different design in the Premier League and La Liga.

Nike say the ball has been "refined around three key elements: construction, material and graphics."

They also say "A new wrapped bladder system ensures the smoothest and most consistent surface — delivering optimal touch and accurate flight." Furthermore, they explain "The geometric 12 panel fuse-welded construction employs a new 3D printed ink technique."

The new ball for the season | Photo: nike.com
The Nike Ordem 4 | Photo: nike.com

Fixtures

The fixtures were released around mid-July and the season will run from 21 August to 28 May. An overview of the fixtures can be found here: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/07/22/italy-calcio/672541-juventus-open-title-defence-versus-viola.html

Feature articles

Top 5 youngsters to look out for this upcoming seasonCammy Anderson - https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/italy-calcio/673785-five-youngsters-to-keep-an-eye-on-this-year-in-serie-a.html

Can the wizard Maurizio Sarri find the spell form without Gonzalo Higuain?Adrian Hima - https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/07/28/italy-calcio/674626-can-the-wizzard-sarri-find-the-spellform-even-without-the-ex-napoli-star-gonzalo-higuain.html

Salvation the primary aim for Serie A newcomers, Cagliari, Crotone and PescaraGianluca Lia - https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/01/italy-calcio/676002-salvation-is-at-stake-for-serie-a-newcomers.html

A look at each sides season

Find below a detailed guide to each team’s season below, all you have to do is click the hyperlink at the side of each team!

Atalanta: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/08/italy-calcio/679259-atalanta-201617-serie-a-preview-la-dea-out-to-finish-in-the-top-10.html

Bologna: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/11/italy-calcio/679266-bologna-201617-serie-a-season-preview-a-young-squad-with-progression-in-sight.html

Cagliari: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/17/italy-calcio/681175-cagliari-1617-serie-a-season-preview-cagliari-to-stay-put-in-serie-a.html

Chievo Verona: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/11/italy-calcio/679279-chievo-verona-season-preview-flying-donkeys-will-hope-their-wings-can-carry-them-further-into-the-top-half.html

Crotone: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/17/italy-calcio/679273-crotone-201617-serie-a-season-preview-a-maiden-voyage-into-the-big-time-for-the-minnows.html

Empoli: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/08/italy-calcio/679290-empoli-201617-serie-a-season-preview-empoli-out-to-defy-the-odds-again.html

Fiorentina: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/13/italy-calcio/681373-fiorentina-201617-serie-a-season-preview-viola-to-push-for-top-3.html

Genoa: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/08/italy-calcio/679306-genoa-201617-serie-a-season-preview-genoa-out-to-make-amends-for-going-backwards-last-term.html

Inter: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/italy-calcio/680007-inter-201617-serie-a-season-preview-inter-to-put-mediocrity-well-and-truly-behind-them.html

Juventus: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/13/italy-calcio/680321-juventus-1617-season-preview.html

Lazio: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/03/italy-calcio/676858-lazio-serie-a-2016-2017-preview-the-key-is-to-be-stable-to-reach-europe.html

Milan: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/15/italy-calcio/679895-ac-milan-201617-season-preview-beginning-of-a-revolution.html

Napoli: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/15/italy-calcio/675803-napoli-season-preview.html

Palermo: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/15/italy-calcio/681160-us-citta-di-palermo-salvation-at-all-costs.html

Pescara: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/17/italy-calcio/679488-pescara-201617-serie-a-season-preview-long-season-ahead-for-the-delfini.html

Roma: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/15/italy-calcio/680089-roma-16-17-season-preview-can-lupi-offer-juventus-a-firm-challenge.html

Sampdoria: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/16/italy-calcio/680092-sampdoria-season-preview.html

Sassuolo: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/16/italy-calcio/678028-sassuolo-1617-season-preview.html

Torino: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/16/italy-calcio/681617-torino-201617-serie-a-season-preview.html

Udinese: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/08/09/italy-calcio/679514-serie-a-udinese-201617-season-preview.html

All here on VAVEL.Com

A team of 20 people has been formed to bring you closer to the action with maximum coverage. Across the season you will not need to go anywhere else for your calcio updates as all can be found right here https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/italy-calcio/ From previews and match reports to news concerning every club, we will have it all. Stay connected by making sure to follow us on Twitter @VAVELcalcio.

Francesco Totti keeps up to date through twitter even when playing, so what is your excuse not to follow? | Photo: Cammy Anderson/VAVEL
Francesco Totti keeps up to date through twitter even when playing, so what is your excuse not to follow? | Photo: Cammy Anderson/VAVEL
VAVEL Logo
About the author
Cammy Anderson
Calcio-editor-in-chief Email: [email protected]