retired_amyslack

Still Looking Good

As Sandy’s youngsters continued to surpass his expectations he was beginning to realise that he needed to apply a slightly different set of standards to his players at Fano than he did in the past at Rangers. Lads that he thought would be no more than adequate were in fact proving to be very effective at this level of football. He needed to be aware of the relative abilities of his players rather than their absolute abilities. And relative to the opposition that they faced week to week, his boys were actually pretty decent.

Before the home game against struggling Tolentino, Frederico Carelli was awarded the Goal of the Month for his fine effort from distance against Sansovino. Sandy was very satisfied with almost all of his first choice selections apart from the right wing position. Neither Gasparoni nor Pelliccia had really performed consistently well so for this game he decided to start Matteo Merloni in that position.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday February 1st 2004
Serie C2/B Game 21
Fano 2 Tolentino 0
Thankfully the boys showed little ill effects from last week’s defeat but it was perhaps fortunate that we were playing a team near the bottom of the table. Giacomo Bonora was outstanding and rounded off a fine display with a deserved goal. For a supposedly defensive player he has had a very productive season on the left wing so far this season. We dominated play and on chances created should have had a significantly bigger win but I’ll happily take the three points.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (8), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (8), Merloni (7), Bonora (10*), Carelli (8), Stefani (7), Pierobon (7), Pazzi (8)

Goals
Pazzi 4, Bonora 63


After a weekend without a game Fano’s next game was a trip to struggling Grosseto with an unchanged lineup from their last game, Merloni keeping his place on the right wing.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday February 15th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 22
Grosseto 0 Fano 2
Not the most eventful of games but a controlled performance brings another three points. Marco’s early goal settled us and Giacomo had his shooting boots on again for our second. With San Marino and Carrarese fighting out a 3-3 draw we move back to second on goal difference, just 3 points behind the leaders.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (8*), Merloni (7), Bonora (7), Carelli (8), Stefani (7), Pierobon (8), Pazzi (8)

Goals
Pierobon 1, Carelli 47


For the visit to mid-table Castelnuovo Sandy would be without left back Francesco Giangolini, the 19-year-old being suspended after picking up 5 yellow cards and Andrea Ghidini was drafted in as a replacement.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday February 22nd 2004
Serie C2/B Game 23
Castelnuovo 0 Fano 0
Chances were few and far between in a game that was as dull as the scoreline suggests. The few that came our way were kept out by an excellent home keeper to deny us the win. The strikers were well policed and Carelli came closest to scoring but his shooting wasn’t quite good enough.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Ghidini (7), D’Aloisio (6), Pomante (7), Merloni (6), Bonora (7), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Pierobon (7), Pazzi (7)


Giangolini was back in the starting eleven for the visit of Gubbio in Fano’s final game of the month.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday February 29th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 24
Fano 2 Gubbio 0
Normal service was resumed with a good win in which Pazzi scored and won yet another Man of the Match award. But this time two defenders scored rare goals. Marco Pomante has played very well to keep Niccolini on the bench and celebrated his first goal for the club. Young Tomasetti scored his second but was also booked and he will miss the next match.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (8), Merloni (6), Bonora (8), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Pierobon (7), Pazzi (9*)

Goals
Pomante 3, Pazzi 12, Tomasetti 81

retired_amyslack

When The Kids Are United

Despite the odd stutter, Sandy’s young team were holding things together surprisingly well. He was particularly pleased with the team spirit that was apparent within the squad, especially amongst the regular starting eleven. Youngsters such as Tomasetti, Giangolini and Pomante were playing consistently well week after week and of course the standout performances of Pazzi gave everyone a boost.

Frederico Carelli was once again recognised in the Goal of the Month awards, finishing runner up for his curling shot from the edge of the area against Grosseto. That was the good news – the bad news was a couple of injuries to key players. Marco Pierobon would be out for a fortnight and Danilo Stefani would miss three weeks. So for the trip to Ravenna they would be replaced by Marco Pelliccia and Marco Biagianti respectively. Another enforced change would be the inclusion of Diego Borioni to replace the suspended Tomasetti.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday March 7th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 25
Ravenna 1 Fano 1
The downside of having such a settled team showed today as Diego Borioni was so lacking in match fitness that he barely made it to half time. We were outplayed by the home side today and it was only thanks to the finishing of Pazzi and the goalkeeping of Orlandi that we came away with a point.

Team Selection
Orlandi (9), Borioni (5, sub 45), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (7), Merloni (7), Bonora (7), Carelli (8), Biagianti (7), Pelliccia (7), Pazzi (9*)
Subs –Brancaccio (6)

Goals
Pazzi 19


Having served his suspension, Luca Tomasetti was restored to the starting eleven for the visit of struggling Montevarchi.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday March 14th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 26
Fano 5 Montevarchi 0
We were always in control in this game as two early goals put us firmly in the driving seat. Pazzi has now broken the 20-goal barrier for the season and is one of the keys to our success. He was withdrawn early in the second half as a precaution after going down under a strong challenge but he is fine. Marco Pelliccia had probably his best game of the season so far and it’s a shame that he’s not a bit more consistent. Luca played well on his return and added solidity to the defence.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (7), Merloni (7), Bonora (7), Carelli (8), Biagianti (7), Pelliccia (9), Pazzi (9*, sub 54)
Subs – Garba (7)

Goals
Carelli 6, Biagianti 8, Pazzi 9, 34, Pelliccia 90


For the visit of Rosetana Sandy was pleased to welcome Marco Pierobon back after injury. The fight for the title was developing into a three-horse race – San Marino topped the table on 59 points with Fano and long-time leaders Carrarese just a point behind.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday March 21st 2004
Serie C2/B Game 27
Fano 3 Rosetana 1
Marco Pierobon celebrated his return with a goal but once again it was Paz that stole the show with two more goals. Marco Biagianti has filled in well for the injured Stefani and we seem to have survived our injury problems with our push for promotion still on track.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (6), Merloni (7), Bonora (8), Carelli (7), Biagianti (7), Pierobon (8), Pazzi (9*)

Goals
Pazzi 6, 38, Pierobon 26


The last game of the month would be a real tester – a visit to league leaders San Marino. Marco Pierobon would be absent under the terms of his loan agreement so Marco Pelliccia would start. Sandy would make one further change, Alessandro Brancaccio replacing Matteo Merloni who was injured in midweek training. Danilo Stefani was now back in full training but rather than rush him back into action he would be asked to sit on the bench for this game.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday March 28th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 28
San Marino 2 Fano 1
Apart from our early goal absolutely nothing went right for us in this game. Paz had to be taken off very early after a nasty fall and things don’t look good for him. Bonora was also withdrawn with a knock but he doesn’t look badly hurt. We were poor at the back with Oralndi and captain D’Aloisio not choosing the best of games to put in a below-par performance. We have now dropped to 3rd and although other results mean that we have secured a playoff place I suspect that the title has now gone.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Tomasetti (6), Giangolini (6), D’Aloisio (5), Pomante (7), Brancaccio (6), Bonora (7, sub 33), Carelli (7), Biagianti (6, sub 73), Pelliccia (8), Pazzi (6, sub 10)
Subs – Garba (7), Ribeiro (7), Stefani (7)

Goals
Pelliccia 2

retired_bbcarr

enjoying this so far :thup:

retired_amyslack

Thanks Terk - sorry to hear about your hard drive BTW.

Life Without Paz

Things were indeed bad for Cristian Pazzi – a dislocated shoulder would keep him out for up to 2 months and would be unlikely to play again this season. This was a huge blow to the team given the fantastic scoring form of the youngster. They had already guaranteed a place in the playoffs but without Pazzi’s goals Sandy wasn’t too optimistic that they could secure promotion. In the week leading up to the visit of Bellaria, Jacopo Gasparoni reached the end of his contract and Sandy decided to allow him to leave as he hadn’t really featured much. There was some good news as Merloni and Stefani were both fit enough to start but Sandy was still distressed about the absence of Pazzi.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday April 4th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 29
Fano 2 Bellaria 0
This wasn’t the most convincing of performances against mediocre opposition but at least the strikers both hit the target. We had enough chances to have put the game to bed much earlier than we did and I have a feeling that we will sorely miss Paz over the next few weeks.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (7), Brancaccio (7), Bonora (7), Carelli (8), Stefani (7, sub 60), Pelliccia (8), Pierobon (9*)
Subs – Biagianti (7)

Goals
Pelliccia 55, Pierobon 71


A rare Saturday game was next on the schedule, involving a trip to mid-table Aglianese and with no enforced changes, Sandy could field an unchanged line-up.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday April 10th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 30
Aglianese 1 Fano 1
A late goal from Fredi spared our blushes in a game that we should have won comfortably. The front men failed to muster an effort on target between them as we struggled to make inroads into a packed defence.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7, sub 79), Pomante (7), Merloni (7), Bonora (7), Carelli (8), Stefani (7), Pelliccia (7), Pierobon (7)
Subs – Niccolini (7)

Goals
Carelli 78


The visit of bottom of the table Imolese would once again be met with an unchanged side and Sandy expected his team to dispose of the strugglers in some comfort.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday April 18th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 31
Fano 3 Imolese 0
Fredi came up trumps again with two fine gaols as the front two were firing blanks. Giacomo chipped in with a goal of his own and we were rarely threatened by the visitors. San Marino won again and head the table by 4 points but Carrarese slipped up at Sansovino and we go above them on goal difference.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (8), D’Aloisio (6), Pomante (7), Merloni (7), Bonora (9), Carelli (9), Stefani (7), Pelliccia (7), Pierobon (9*)

Goals
Carelli 6, 40, Bonora 56


An uneventful week without dramas or injuries meant that there would be no enforced changes for the trip to Cuoiocappiano.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday April 25th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 32
Cuoiocappiano 2 Fano 2
Having conceded a very early goal we did well to fight back to take the lead with 10 minutes remaining. But I was less than happy when a defensive mistake allowed the home side to gain a very late equaliser. With two games remaining San Marino are as good as champions and all of the playoff places are now decided.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (6), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (7), Merloni (6), Bonora (6), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Pelliccia (9*), Pierobon (8)

Goals
Pelliccia 39, Pierobon 80

retired_amyslack

Towards The Playoffs

With a playoff place now secure Sandy had a couple of regular season games remaining before the final push for promotion. Sandy had mixed feelings about the prospect of moving up a division. On the one hand it would be a fine achievement in his first season in charge, especially given the lack of depth within the squad. On the other it would likely be a struggle to stay in Serie C1 and Sandy was concerned about the potentially demoralising effect that relegation would bring. But that was for another time – no point worrying about what might be, Sandy needed to focus on the here and now and prepare his team as best as he could for the challenge of the Playoffs.

Fano’s final home game of the regular season would see fellow playoff contenders Sangiovannese visit the Stadio Mancini.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday May 2nd 2004
Serie C2/B Game 33
Fano 0 Sangiovannese 0
Poor finishing cost us maximum points as we failed to convert any of the chances that we created. The visiting keeper took the plaudits for a fine display that denied Pierobon on several occasions. San Marino blew their chance of securing the title with a horrendous 5-0 defeat at Bellaria but a point in their final game will be enough.

[b]Team Selection[/b]
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (7), Merloni (6), Bonora (8), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Pelliccia (7), Pierobon (7)


The Champions League Final will not just be an all-Italian affair, it will be an all-Milano affair as Milan and Inter will face off and in the UEFA Cup Roma will play Scottish giants Rangers. Not that Sandy was all that interested in what the big boys were up to as he went into the final game of the season proper at Gauldo knowing that he title was beyond his grasp but looking for a morale boosting win before the start of the playoffs.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday May 9th 2004
Serie C2/B Game 34
Gualdo 0 Fano 3
Two coolly taken penalties by Stefani ensured that we finished the regular season on a high with a good win to secure a third place finish. The poor performance of Pelliccia was a concern, as was a slight knock to Pierobon but he is OK. We can now look forward to the playoff campaign in good heart.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (7), Merloni (7), Bonora (7), Carelli (7), Stefani (8*), Pelliccia (4, sub 61), Pierobon (7, sub 61)
Subs Garba (6), Ribeiro (7)

Goals
Carelli 36, Stefani 45, 59


San Marino were crowned as champions and took their place in Serie C1 and Imolese moved in the opposite direction, finishing bottom of the table and being relegated. Fano’s opponents in the playoff Semi Final would be Sansovino in two weeks time. In the UEFA Cup Final, Roma secured a narrow 1-0 win over Rangers thanks to a goal from young forward Antonio Cassano. As Sandy prepared his team for the first leg he was delighted to welcome Cristian Pazzi back into full training as the youngster had recovered from his injury rather quicker than expected. He would not be fit for the first leg but he might be back for the return.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday May 22nd 2004
Serie C2/B Playoff Semi Final 1st Leg
Sansovino 0 Fano 0
This wasn’t the highest quality football that I have witnessed this season but in the circumstances I am more than happy with the draw. We had slightly the better of the game and I am hopeful that we can finish the job in the return match.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (6), Pomante (7), Merloni (7), Bonora (7), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Pelliccia (4, sub 67), Pierobon (7)
Subs Garba (6)


As the team prepared for their second leg encounter Sandy noted that Milan closed out the Serie A title, finishing above Juventus on goal difference after an epic struggle. Having already lifted the Italian Cup, Carlo Ancelotti would be looking to complete a historic treble by adding the Champions League to Milan’s trophy cabinet. But it was not to be as they lost the final in Dortmund to fierce rivals Inter thanks to an unfortunate own goal from defender Alessandro Nesta.

With Pazzi close to full fitness, Sandy decided that Garba would start instead of the disappointing Pelliccia and that Paz would be on the bench to be called upon if required.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday May 29th 2004
Serie C2/B Playoff Semi Final 2nd Leg
Fano 1 Sansovino 1 (Fano win on final league position)
We made it – but only just. Having conceded an unfortunate goal in the first half when an attempted overhead kick deflected off Pomante we were struggling a little. But Paz the man came off the bench to rescue us and we just sneak through by virtue of our higher place finish in the regular season.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (7, sub 71), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (7), Pomante (7), Merloni (6), Bonora (7), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Garba (6, sub 45), Pierobon (7)
Subs Pazzi (7), Vitalli (6)

Goals
Pazzi 50

retired_amyslack

One Last Push

After the playout Semi-Finals, the relegation of Tolentino and Montevarchi were confirmed. In the Playoff Final, Fano would face Carrarese after their narrow aggregate victory over Sangiovannese. Sandy’s team had already lost twice to their opponents this season so they would have to upset the odds if they were to achieve promotion. In the lead up to the first leg several Fano players featured in the end of season awards. Cristian Pazzi was runner up in both the Serie C2/B Player of the Year and the Top Goalscorer award. He and Giacomo Bonora were selected for the Serie C2/B Team of the Year and Frederico Carelli finished second in the Goal of the Season.

Sandy decided that Pazzi would remain on the bench for the first leg as he was still struggling for match fitness and he hoped that the gamble would pay off. But right back Luca Tomasetti would be absent as a training injury ruled him out for the remainder of the season. With backup Francesco Calanchi also injured Sandy asked Francesco Giangolini to switch from left back and brought in Andrea Ghidini on the left.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday June 5th 2004
Serie C2/B Playoff Final 1st Leg
Carrarese 2 Fano 1
We were totally outplayed by a far better team and it is only thanks to Orlandi and Pazzi that we have any chance at all in the return leg. It was sad too see key players such as Bonora and Carelli play so poorly – I can only assume that the occasion got to them. We will have to play much better in the second leg and on this showing it looks like a big ask to turn this tie around.

Team Selection
Orlandi (9), Giangolini (6), Ghidini (5), D’Aloisio (5), Pomante (6), Merloni (7), Bonora (4), Carelli (3, sub 45), Stefani (7), Garba (4, sub 45), Pierobon (7)
Subs Pazzi (8), Biagianti (7)

Goals
Pazzi 51


Sandy would be without Carelli for the return at Fano as he would be serving a suspension after collecting 5 yellow cards. After the team's poor show in the first game Sandy had no hesitation in restoring Pazzi to the starting eleven and Biagianti would come in for Carelli. He spent some time deciding what to do about his left back problem and finally decided that Bonora would play there with Ribeiro starting on the left wing.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday June 12th 2004
Serie C2/B Playoff Final 2nd Leg
Fano 2 Carrarese 0 (Fano win 3-2 on aggregate)
Young Pomante got us off to a great start with an early goal as we set about the visitors with some spirit. We created some good chances but couldn’t find a way past the visiting keeper. Half time came and went and as the game wore on we ran the risk of getting caught on the break and Orlandi had to be alert with a couple of smart saves. With 10 minutes remaining Pierobon sent a shot on the turn crashing against the crossbar and it looked like it wouldn’t be our day. But two minutes into stoppage time Pazzi sent the 7,000 sellout crowd delirious when he broke free to score the winner – what a star that boy is!

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Giangolini (7), Bonora (7), D’Aloisio (8), Pomante (8), Merloni (7), Ribeiro (7), Biagianti (6), Stefani (7), Pazzi (9*), Pierobon (5)

Goals
Pomante 7, Pazzi 90


When the final whistle sounded to bring the game to a dramatic conclusion, Sandy’s overwhelming feeling was one of relief. The longer the game had continued the more his mind was drawn back to his final few matches in charge at Rangers. His team were so close to success and yet it looked like it would elude them. But when Paz scored that late winner all of those concerns vanished – he could be a winner again! As the players and fans celebrated the unexpected victory, Sandy sat back in the dugout to reflect on his team’s success. He felt a strong sense of achievement having guided his charges to an unlikely promotion but once again he was caught up with conflicting emotions. As well as the pleasure and satisfaction of a job well done he felt enormous trepidation regarding Fano’s prospects in Serie C1. But for the moment at least he tried to shrug aside his negative emotions and as he joined his players out on the pitch he was increasingly certain that he had made the right decision in coming to Fano.

retired_amyslack

Happy Suits

Fano Chairman Mirco Giovanelli and his colleagues were, to say the least, delighted by Fano’s promotion and Mirco, as befitting his larger than life personality, could not contain his joy. He positively basked in the glow of success, telling anyone who would listen that “My Fano, she is wonderful and with Signor Sandy in charge the best is yet to come.” Sandy did his best to curb his Chairman’s enthusiasm but despite his best efforts he found Mirco’s optimism infectious. As the players began their summer break Sandy and Mirco were putting their plans together for life in Serie C1. Fano would be playing in C1/A and both men agreed that the sole priority for next season was to avoid relegation. After a long discussion about funding Mirco agreed that the bulk of the funds received through prize money and sponsorship payments would be used to upgrade the club’s rather poor training ground and to put in place the beginnings of a Youth Program. Mirco agreed that youth would be the lifeblood of the team and was happy to commit to the expenditure.

The downside of this decision however was that it left Sandy with virtually no funds to strengthen the squad for the forthcoming season. With several fringe players reaching the end of their contracts and the loan signings all going back to their own clubs, the Fano squad would be reduced to the bare bones before too long. So with Euro 2004 going on in the background Sandy brought his entire backroom staff together to prepare a plan of action and figure out how they could strengthen the team.

Another action that Mirco had also agreed was to boost the backroom staff by bringing in additional coaches and physios, assuming that suitable candidates could be found. Sandy convinced him that if they managed to bring in any decent youngsters and get the youth programme moving forward then the club needed to invest in coaching skills.

At the start of July the loan players officially returned to their clubs so Daniele Niccolini, Marco Biagianti, Giacomo Bonora, Marco Pierobon and Alessandro Brancaccio all left the squad. Sandy’s first action was to try to get new loan agreements for Bonora and Pierobon but his enquiries were rejected out of hand. Sandy barely had time to register that his adopted homeland had triumphed in Euro 2004 with a narrow 1-0 defeat of France in the final. His focus remained firmly on building the squad and with his limited scouting resources he encouraged his coaches and physios to rack their brains and identify players that he could obtain in one way or another.

The squad was reduced further as veteran defender Stefano Bettella left at the end of his contract but Sandy felt that he was no great loss to the team. Backup keeper Piero Spina was also released and reserve Emilio Cionfrini moved to the first team. Sandy decided to offer a new deal to Francesco Calanchi at a significantly reduced wage, which he accepted. A well as being voted the Fans Player of the Year, Pazzi was rewarded with an extended contract that he happily signed.

retired_bailey713

A great story! lets hope you can keep it up with the feverish anticipation of football manager this should be able to keep me occupied whilst i await november the 5th KUTGW!!!

retired_amyslack

Thanks Bruce

A New Season

Sandy was finding it very difficult to obtain any players that he felt would add value to the squad as loan request after loan request was turned down. Towards the end of July he did manage to pick up a couple of free agents as experienced midfielders Roberto Magnani (27) and Luca Puccinelli (31) agreed deals. Shortly afterwards he signed young central defender Marco Marinelli (21) who had been released by Lecce.

As the start of the new season loomed Sandy was resigned to entering the Serie C Cup with his current playing squad. The first game in that competition would be at Pisa, another C1/A side, and would give an early indication of how Fano would fare at this level.


Sandy’s Journal
Friday August 20th 2004
Serie C Cup Group G Game 1
Pisa 0 Fano 2
I was very pleasantly surprised by our performance in the season opener as we defended well but also looked to create chances of our own. A goal from one of our debutantes was a definite bonus but we did need Orlandi to be at his best to get the win.

Team Selection
Orlandi (9*), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (7), D’Aloisio (5, sub 71), Pomante (8), Puccinelli (8), Magnani (7), Carelli (8), Stefani (8), Pazzi (8), Pelliccia (8)
Subs - Marinelli (6)

Goals
Pelliccia 39, Magnani 73


After a very decent start Sandy had just a few days to prepare for the visit of Gubbio, a team that was known to him from last season. Sandy took the opportunity to field his fringe players to see how they got on but his expectations were rather limited.

Sandy’s Journal
Tuesday August 24th 2004
Serie C Cup Group G Game 2
Fano 3 Gubbio 1
Despite conceding an early penalty we were rarely threatened by the visitors and a satisfactory performance by the second string was good enough. The most significant performances came from new central defender Marinelli, indicating that he may make a decent partner for Pomante, and forward Merloni.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Calanchi (8), Ghidini (7), Marinelli (8), Pomante (7), Colombaretti (8), Gentilucci (7), Vitali (8), Trufelli (8), Merloni (9*), Garba (7)

Goals
Merloni 45, Trufelli 53, Vitali 72

retired_amyslack

A New Division

Shortly before the close of the summer transfer window, Sandy managed to secure a single loan signing as Ancona forward Luigi Castaldo (22) agreed a season-long deal. But bad news followed good as new signing Magnani suffered a calf strain in training that would keep him out for the best part of a month. The next Cup game would see the visit of Arezzo of Serie C2/B. With the opening league game just 4 days away, Sandy decided to stick with the second string for this game but took the chance to give Castaldo a run out.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday September 1st 2004
Serie C Cup Group G Game 3
Fano 5 Arezzo 0
This was another very good display by the fringe players and has certainly given me food for thought. Another storming performance from Merloni has pushed him into the reckoning for a regular start up front having played the bulk of last season on the right wing. Castaldo made a good debut and Colombaretti and Trufelli have both surprised me with their good play.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Calanchi (8), Ghidini (7), Marinelli (7), Pomante (7), Colombaretti (8), Gentilucci (7, sub 74), Vitali (7), Trufelli (8), Merloni (10*), Castaldo (9)
Subs - De Luca (6)

Goals
Merloni 7, 19, Castaldo 28, 61, Vitali 68


Fano’s third straight win ensured that they would qualify from their Group, a result that Sandy viewed with mixed feelings as he really wanted to concentrate on the league. The real test would begin on Sunday with the trip to Torres and he had some thinking to do regarding team selection. He finally decided to go with his first choice players from last season team but with a few changes. Marinelli would replace D’Aloisio in defence, Ghidini would come in for the injured Magnani and Merloni would start in attack rather than Pelliccia.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday September 5th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 1
Torres 0 Fano 0
Not one for the purists as neither side really got into full flow. The home side had the better of the play and we needed Orlandi to be sharp between the sticks. Our cause wasn’t helped by first half injuries to Ghidini and Carelli with Colombaretti having to come on and play out of position on the left.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8*), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (7), Pomante (7), Puccinelli (8), Ghidini (6, sub 31), Carelli (5, sub 41), Stefani (7), Pazzi (7), Merloni (7)
Subs - Colombaretti (7), Trufelli (7)


On balance, Sandy was happy enough to have taken a point from his first game in Serie C1. He was also pleased that neither of his injured players would miss any action as they would be fit within a day or two. But before turning his attention back to the league campaign Sandy had his final Serie C Cup group game to attend to. The trip to Sangiovannese was a dead game as Fano had already qualified so he could afford to switch the team around once more.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday September 8th 2004
Serie C Cup Group G Game 4
Sangiovannese 4 Fano 1
The defeat was not unexpected given the team selection but the manner of the performance was nonetheless disappointing with D’Aloisio in particular looking very poor. Last season’s captain seems to have lost his way completely and it may be some time before he starts another game for us.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Calanchi (6), De Luca (5, sub 70), D’Aloisio (4, sub 56), Borioni (6), Gentilucci (6), Colombaretti (7), Vitali (6), Trufelli (5, sub 70), Pelliccia (7), Garba (7)
Subs - Pomante (6), Carelli (5), Stefani (7)

Goals
Pelliccia 41


With a weekend off because of World Cup qualifiers, the players had plenty of time to prepare for the visit of Pro Patria. European champions Italy began their campaign with a disappointing scoreless draw in Norway and then a 3-1 defeat of Cyprus. Sandy was pleased to see that Scotland got off to a flyer in their group, winning 3-1 in Denmark and 3-0 in Northern Ireland to head the table. His good mood was ruined however when Marco Pomante damaged a shoulder in training and would be out for two weeks. This was tempered somewhat by the news that Roberto Magnani was back in full training and would be available for the game.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday September 19th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 2
Fano 4 Pro Patria 2
A magnificent hat trick from Frederico Carelli was the highlight of a very good win. Despite still struggling for match fitness the midfielder played a blinder to secure the points. It was also good to see Paz open his account for the season. The bad news was an injury to Tomasetti that will rule him out for a week or so. He managed to finish the game but what we thought was a minor knock has turned out to be a more serious ankle injury.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Tomasetti (4), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (7), Borioni (7), Puccinelli (8), Magnani (7), Carelli (10, sub 63), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Pazzi (8),
Subs - Trufelli (6)

Goals
Carelli 33, 45, 50, Pazzi 86


The midweek visit to Ravenna for the Serie C Cup would see the second string take the field once more as Sandy preserved his first choice team for league action.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday September 22nd 2004
Serie C Cup 1st Round 1st Leg
Ravenna 4 Fano 0
What a poor performance – for some reason the boys that played so well in the early group games now seem to be incapable of stringing two passes together. To make matters worse Gentilucci got himself sent off for punching an opponent. This is the type of behaviour that I will just not tolerate and we will be having strong words tomorrow.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Calanchi (6), Ghidini (6), D’Aloisio (6), Borioni (6), Gentilucci (3), Colombaretti (6, sub 65), Vitali (4), Trufelli (4, sub 76), Pelliccia (4, sub 48), Garba (5)
Subs - Puccinelli (6), Merloni (6), Stefani (6)


True to his word, Sandy disciplined his errant player with a one-week fine and a torrent of English and Italian just to make sure that the youngster understood the situation. Sandy’s mood was not improved by an injury to Puccinelli that would rule him out of the trip to Novara with Castaldo taking his place on the right wing.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday September 26th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 3
Novara 1 Fano 1
Castaldo was not exactly an unqualified success on the right wing and Carelli put in a very poor performance. We depended on Orlandi and Paz for the point to keep our embryonic unbeaten league run intact.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8*), Calanchi (6), Giangolini (6), Marinelli (7), Borioni (7), Castaldo (4), Magnani (7), Carelli (4, sub 65), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Pazzi (8),
Subs - Ghidini (6)

Goals
Pazzi 52


Sandy followed his usual practice of fielding his “second team” for the Serie C Cup game at home to Ravenna and with a 4-0 lead to overturn he was fairly sure that Fano would soon no longer have to worry about this trifling competition.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday September 29th 2004
Serie C Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg
Fano 0 Ravenna 0
This was a slightly better display by the stiffs and in particular I was pleased to see Emilio Cionfrini play well in goal – you never know when he may be called upon in anger. At least we can now see the back of this annoying competition and stop switching the team around every few days.

Team Selection
Cionfrini (8*), Calanchi (7), Ghidini (7), D’Aloisio (5, sub 38), Borioni (7), De Luca (6), Colombaretti (7), Vitali (7), Trufelli (7, sub 59), Pelliccia (7), Garba (7)
Subs - Marinelli (7), Stefani (7)