retired_lataydaniels

Excellent work!! Keep up this job :thup:

retired_amyslack

Thank you gentlemen - you're very kind.

Playing With The Big Boys

As Sandy looked forward to a couple of days off over the New Year he was proud to see his team occupying 3rd place in the Serie B table, going above San Marino and Terana on goal difference. They were 7 points adrift of leaders Reggina but just one behind Livorno who held second place. Their performance thus far in the season had exceeded the wildest expectations of everyone at the club, including Sandy himself. He had been reasonably sure that the team would not be relegated but had expected a mid-table finish at best. To be so far clear of any hint of relegation was a huge bonus but it now opened up the possibility of promotion to Serie A. That would be a massive step for the club and one that Sandy was not at all sure they were ready for.

But putting those thoughts to one side for the moment, he moved his attention to the opening league match of the year. For the trip to Modena, Stefano Dall’Acqua would be absent as he had sustained an injury in training so Andy Selva would start instead.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday January 6th 2007
Serie B Game 20
Modena 2 Fano 3
Some determined defending by the home side managed to keep the scoreline blank until late in the game but then we had a bit of a goal fest in the last 15 minutes. Komi Tchangai set the ball rolling with a header from a corner but we conceded an equaliser some 10 minutes later. However within seconds we went back in front through Riccio and substitute Odair scored our 3rd two minutes later. But there was still enough time for our hosts to pull a goal back before the final whistle.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Russo (7), Bravo (6), Tchangai (8), Marinelli (6), Collacchioni (8), Andorno (7), Riccio (8*), Carelli (7), Pierobon (7), Selva (5, sub 73)
Subs – Odair (7)

Goals
Tchangai 76, Riccio 86, Odair 88


With a hectic schedule of games to be played this month the last thing that Sandy wanted was an injury problem – but that was exactly what he got with the news that striker Marco Pierobon would miss up to 2 months with a shoulder injury. This left Fano with three strikers out of commission but at least Dall’Acqua would be available again soon.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday January 10th 2007
Serie B Game 21
Fano 3 Ternana 0
At the end of this game I stood up with the rest of the spectators at the Stadio Mancini and applauded the players off the pitch. They had given a team with high hopes of promotion a footballing lesson and I was absolutely delighted with our performance. From the moment that a slick passing move initiated at the back sent Selva free for the opener we were always on top. Collacchioni’s goal may have had a touch of the route-ones about it as he latched on to a long clearance from Orlandi, but his powerful finish left no room for argument. And Riccio’s closing goal showed that we can bide our time too as we retained possession in a patient build up before his intelligent run was spotted by Russo.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Russo (7), Ferri (8), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (10*), Andorno (8), Riccio (8), Carelli (7), Selva (7), Odair (7)

Goals
Selva 11, Collacchioni 51, Riccio 58


Sandy was pursuing several players that he was hoping to bring into the club before the winter transfer window closed and one deal was successfully concluded as goalkeeper Stefano Layeni (24) joined from Como for €35K. With another decent looking goalie on the books Sandy decided that Emilio Cionfrini was definitely surplus to requirements and was happy to release him on a free transfer.

For the visit of relegation threatened Ascoli, Sandy made one change at the back with [b]Paolo Bravo coming back in to replace Ferri.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday January 13th 2007
Serie B Game 22
Fano 0 Ascoli 0
Despite having by far the better of the play the closest we came to scoring on a frustrating 90 minutes was when José Reis Odair hit the bar in the first half. The visiting keeper denied us on several occasions but to be honest our finishing just wasn’t up to the job.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Russo (8), Bravo (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (7), Andorno (8), Riccio (7), Carelli (7), Selva (7), Odair (7)
Subs – Luconi (7), Di Fiandra (7)


Just to add to Sandy’s striking problems Odair picked up a thigh injury – nothing serious but more than enough to rule him out of their next game. The good news was that some cover arrived in the shape of Rodrigo Batista Machado (24), an exciting young Brazilian forward that Sandy had heard good things about. A loan deal had been agreed with his club Catanzaro that would see him at Fano for the remainder of the season.

Fano’s next game offered Sandy quite a dilemma. Ordinarily he rested his best players for Cup games, preferring to keep them as fit as possible for the league. But this was a bit different – his team were travelling to Milan to face the might of Inter at the San Siro in the Quarter Final of the Italian Cup. He discussed the situation with Chairman Mirco.

“So Senor Sandy, for thee feerst leg in Milano, what do you theenk? You weel change thee team?”

“I don’t know yet Mirco.”

“We weel not be relegated thees season weel we?”

“No Mirco, I don’t think that we’ll be relegated.”

“So eet ees notta so eemportant to rest thee players, no?

“True.”

“And eet ees a very huge game for us, probably thee beegest that we have ever played, no?”

“Also true.”

“And you are a proud man Senor Sandy, I am sure that you do not want your team to how you say in Eenglish, have a bottom-spanking?”

“No I don’t want that to happen Mirco.”

“But anyway, ees up to you. You control thee team and I back you whatever you do.”

“Thanks Mirco, but I think that I’ve made my mind up know.”

Sandy had indeed made up his mind and Fano would field the strongest side that they could for the game against Inter.

Sandy’s Journal
Tuesday January 16th 2007
Italian Cup Quarter Final 1st Leg
Inter 3 Fano 2
Oh the fearlessness of youth! Our two youngest players, a pair of 20-year-olds, showed no respect for our big-name opponents and gave us genuine hope of a major upset. Riccio set the cat amongst the pigeons with a goal after just two minutes, heading home from a cross from Leonardo. The home side struck back quickly with Uruguayan international Recoba equalising within 10 minutes. Things took a turn for the worse when Dutch international Andy van der Meyde fired them in front with less than 15 minutes on the clock. But we were able to compose ourselves and defended valiantly for the remainder of the half. Ten minutes after the restart the excellent Recoba fired Inter further ahead but Collacchioni, our outstanding player of the day, reduced the deficit with the sweetest of free kicks.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Russo (7), Bravo (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (9), Andorno (7), Riccio (8), Palacios (7), Selva (6, sub 69), Dall’Acqua (7)
Subs – Machado (7)

Goals
Riccio 2, Collacchioni 69


Fano returned home to a hero’s welcome from their fans, delighted at the fighting performance of their team. As the only lower-league side left in the last eight the odds were heavily stacked against them but if nothing else Sandy was sure that Inter would have a fight on their hands in the return leg.

Before their next league game at bottom of the table L’Aquila, Sandy secured another loan signing with forward Stefano Gazzano (22) coming in from Carrarese. He was confident that he had more than enough cover now for his injured strikers. With one eye on the imminent visit of Inter he took the unusual step of resting players for the Cup and playing a weaker team in the league.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday January 20th 2007
Serie B Game 23
L’Aquila 1 Fano 2
Well it was a close-run thing but Andy Selva saw us through with two goals to keep us on track in the league. We went behind after half an hour when Marinelli conceded a penalty. Orlandi got a hand to the ball but he just couldn’t keep it out. The home side were rampant and didn’t look like a team propping up the table and they could easily have extended their lead. We made it to the break without any further damage and 20 minutes after the restart Selva put us back on terms. The home keeper had a rush of blood to the head and came charging out of his goal to deal with a through ball. But he made a complete rickets of it and Andy was on hand to fire the ball into an unguarded net. His stoppage-time winner was a bit more deserved as a lovely passing move freed Dall’Acqua on the flank and his neat cross was headed home for a late winner.

Team Selection
Orlandi (9), Giangolini (7), Ferri (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7, sub 81), Puccinelli (8), Di Fiandra (7), Riccio (7, sub 81), Stefani (7), Selva (10*), Dall’Acqua (8)
Subs – Dika (7), Carelli (7)

Goals
Selva 65, 90


With Sandy’s calculated gamble having paid off in the league he wondered if his team would get the ultimate reward by reversing the 3-2 deficit against Inter in the Cup game. He named what he thought would be his best eleven and sent them out to do their best against one of the giants of the modern game.

Sandy’s Journal
Tuesday January 23rd 2007
Italian Cup Quarter Final 2nd Leg
Fano 0 Inter 0
It was clear from the first whistle that Inter had come with but one thought in mind – don’t concede a goal. They proceeded to close the game down and they did it expertly. We worked very hard but lacked the inspiration to break them down. They locked down the midfield, denying our players time and space on the ball. As time wore on we took more and more risks trying to find that elusive goal and they came close to scoring on several occasions. We were not disgraced by any means but we just lacked that cutting edge. A capacity crowd tried hard to lift the players but to no avail and we made a brave exit from the Cup.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Russo (7), Ferri (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (7, sub 64), Andorno (7), Riccio (7), Carelli (7), Odair (7), Dall’Acqua (5, sub 21)
Subs – Gazzano (7), Machado (7)


Despite a gallant effort against Inter everyone at the club still felt slightly disappointed by the result so Sandy and his staff worked hard to boost the squad for their next league match. The visit of Bari would pitch the two form teams of Serie B together, both on 9-match unbeaten runs.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday January 27th 2007
Serie B Game 24
Fano 0 Bari 0
Bari can thank their keeper Alex Manninger for single-handedly preserving their unbeaten run. The Austrian international, on loan from Bologna, pulled off a string of fine saves to deny us a goal. Time and again our forwards watched in disbelief as he clawed the ball away and he was truly a man inspired.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Russo (7), Bravo (7, sub 90), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (7, sub 90), Andorno (7), Riccio (7), Carelli (7), Odair (7, sub 90), Dall’Acqua (7)
Subs – Di Fiandra (7), Palacios (6), Selva (6)


A gruelling month finally came to an end with a trip to Napoli. Sandy remembered the 3-1 defeat when the two teams met early in the season but since then the pre-season favourites for promotion had performed very poorly and currently sat in 15th place in the table and had sacked their manager a month ago.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday January 31st 2007
Serie B Game 25
Napoli 1 Fano 3
How satisfying it was to reverse the 3-1 scoreline from our meeting back in September of last year. The two sides were fairly well matched in the first period but we took control after the interval. Two neat goals put us in control before a late penalty secured the points. An even later spot kick gave the home side a consolation goal but it was no more than that.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Russo (7), Bravo (7), Tchangai (6), Marinelli (5, sub 63), Collacchioni (9), Andorno (9*), Riccio (8), Carelli (7), Odair (8), Dall’Acqua (7)
Subs – Dika (7)

Goals
Riccio 62, Odair 76, Andorno 85


Fano reached the end of January holding on to second place in the table, 6 points behind leaders Reggina and three points clear of Bari in 3rd.

retired_amyslack

The Pressure Mounts

Fano’s unexpected challenge for promotion had, to say the least, generated some interest in the press. Sandy had expected the local newspaper attention but he was somewhat taken aback by the presence of several national publications and TV channels at the club’s press conferences. Sandy was now confident enough in his Italian that he regularly presided over press events but he still had Giacomo sitting with him in case of any language problems. It also proved to be useful on occasions when he needed some time to think about a particularly awkward question. The few extra seconds when Giacomo provided a translation gave him some valuable thinking time. But it seemed that the romantic story of small-town Fano’s rise to success and the rehabilitation of their previously well-known manager was proving irresistible to the voracious Italian sports press. Sandy was concerned that his players would find all the attention too much of a distraction and he decided that most of the team’s training sessions would be closed, with no press allowed. Mirco persuaded him to allow the press into the training ground twice a week as he recognised the importance of keeping good relations with the media but he accepted his manager’s concerns over the potential impact on the players.

In the lead up to the next match at home to Cremonese Sandy was pleased to agree contract extensions with keeper Frederico Orlandi and full back Luca Tomasetti, two members of his original team From Serie C2 that were still with him.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday February 3rd 2007
Serie B Game 26
Fano 4 Cremonese 0
The visitors approached this game with a very physical attitude, flying into the tackles and clearly trying to intimidate our players. Russo was the first to suffer, having to leave the field after just a few minutes with an injury. But we responded in the best possible manner – by letting our football do the talking and scoring goals. Two goals in each half to be precise and the 4-0 scoreline didn’t flatter us in the slightest as we fully deserved the win.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Russo (5, sub 6), Bravo (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (8), Andorno (7), Riccio (7), Carelli (7), Odair (7), Dall’Acqua (9*)
Subs – Palacios (9)

Goals
Dall’Acqua 27, 46, Odair 37, Palacios 66


With Russo out of action for a fortnight Sandy brought Tomasetti back into the team for the trip to Empoli. He also decided to give Palacios a start and moved Riccio to the bench.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday February 10th 2007
Serie B Game 27
Empoli 1 Fano 1
Tomasetti celebrated his return to first team action with a quite extraordinary goal, or so he claims. His story is that he spotted the Empoli keeper off his line and audaciously lobbed him from almost on the halfway line. His teammates claim that he was attempting a long ball forward for the strikers and it was a fluke. Whatever the truth of the matter it proved to be one of the highlights of an otherwise dull game. We conceded a slightly disappointing equaliser shortly after the restart and had to settle for a point in a game where we had high expectations of a win.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (8*), Bravo (7), Tchangai (5, sub 55), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (7, sub 55), Andorno (8), Palacios (7), Carelli (7), Odair (7, sub 76), Dall’Acqua (7)
Subs – Dika (6), Di Fiandra (7), Gazzano (6)

Goals
Tomasetti 40


Collacchioni and Odair both suffered minor knocks in the Empoli game but thankfully neither player was badly injured and both would be fit to face Pescara. That was more than could be said for Paolo Bravo who damaged a wrist in training and would be replaced by Ferri.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday February 17th 2007
Serie B Game 28
Fano 1 Pescara 0
An early penalty converted by Andorno proved to be the only goal of the game but it was not for the want of trying by my players. They subjected the visitors to a barrage of attacks and only the excellence of their keeper stopped the game from becoming a rout.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Ferri (8), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (8), Collacchioni (8), Andorno (9*), Palacios (7), Carelli (7), Odair (7), Dall’Acqua (8)

Goals
Andorno 4


Odair would miss out on the trip to Venezia having damaged a shoulder in training and Selva would take his place.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday February 24th 2007
Serie B Game 29
Venezia 1 Fano 3
This was a fine display today and we fully deserved our win. Young Lenny powered home a near post corner to open the scoring and also set up Stefano for his first goal. This young man must be a contender for our player of the season after his outstanding performances this season.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (8), Ferri (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (9*), Andorno (8), Palacios (7), Carelli (7), Selva (7), Dall’Acqua (9)

Goals
Collacchioni 10, Dall’Acqua 40, 59


As Fano kept up their terrific unbeaten run Sandy was pleased and still rather surprised to see them hold on to second place in the table. Leaders Reggina would take some catching as they were still 5 points clear but his team had opened up a 7-point gap over third placed Bari.

retired_amyslack

Who Will Blink First

It was looking increasingly likely that the Serie B title would be contested between two teams – leaders Reggina and chasing Fano. Which team would be able to keep their form going in the tense run-in to the end of the season? Sandy saw no sign of his team giving way just yet. The team spirit was strong, the players were confident and the coaching staff was performing well as a unit. Compatriot Peter Beardsley was becoming a more and more influential backroom figure as the season progressed. Sandy trusted his instincts and increasingly turned to the Geordie for advice rather than to his assistant manager Dario. Beardsley had played at the highest level and he understood the pressures that the players were under. At his suggestion the intensity of some of the training sessions was reduced, particularly the open sessions where the press were in attendance. He wanted the reporters to see the players relaxed and smiling, believing that the positive news stories that resulted gave Fano a psychological advantage over their title rivals.

For the trip to Piacenza Sandy would have Bravo and Odair back in the starting eleven now that both were fully fit again. Marco Pierobon was now back in training but still some weeks away from regaining full fitness.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday March 3rd 2007
Serie B Game 30
Piacenza 1 Fano 3
Another two assists from Collacchioni were crucial in securing a win over difficult opponents although the home side having a man sent off near the end of the first half didn’t do us any harm. Palacios had a good game in midfield and we are now in the healthy position of having competition for places virtually all over the pitch.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Bravo (7), Tchangai (8), Marinelli (8), Collacchioni (10*), Andorno (8), Palacios (8), Carelli (7), Odair (7), Dall’Acqua (8)

Goals
Odair 18, Dall’Acqua 26, Palacios 87


Grateful for a week with no injury problems Sandy named an unchanged side for the visit of Livorno.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday March 10th 2007
Serie B Game 31
Fano 3 Livorno 1
Fredi Carelli opened the scoring just on half time with a typical howitzer of a shot. Unfortunately he couldn’t make it back out for the second half having picked up a slight muscle strain. Odair scored a peach of a second before the visitors made things interesting by pulling a goal back. But within two minutes the pace of Dall’Acqua gave us our third and secured the win.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Bravo (8), Tchangai (8), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (7), Andorno (7), Palacios (7), Carelli (8*, sub 45), Odair (7), Dall’Acqua (7)
Subs – Riccio (7)

Goals
Carelli 45, Odair 62, Dall’Acqua 70


With Sandy’s team in such excellent form the trip to league leaders Reggina would be interesting. Fano were now just 2 points behind their opponents and a win would take them to the op of the table. With the exception of Paolo Bravo who was serving a one-match suspension, the starting eleven were unchanged.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday March 17th 2007
Serie B Game 32
Reggina 2 Fano 2
The game was as tight as the final scoreline suggests and on balance a draw was probably a fair result, although having taken the lead for the second time in the game with less than two minutes to play it was disappointing to concede a stoppage-time equaliser. An even first half looked to be ending goalless when Collacchioni headed home a neatly worked short corner routine – Lenny must be on track for Player of the Season with the form he's in. The home side struck back shortly after the restart and both sides traded scoring chances for the remainder of the half. Two goals in two minutes meant a thrilling climax to the game but I really thought that when Dall’Acqua converted Odair’s cross that we would take all three points. Unfortunately the late equaliser denied us and although brilliantly taken it came about as a result of bad marking at the back.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (7), Ferri (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (9*), Andorno (7, sub 45), Palacios (7), Carelli (7), Odair (7), Dall’Acqua (7)
Subs – Di Fiandra (7)

Goals
Collacchioni 42, Dall’Acqua 88


With Fano now looking increasingly likely to be playing next season in Serie A, Sandy expected a sellout crowd for the visit of San Marino. He would be without full back Luca Tomasetti who had suffered a calf strain in training so Russo would regain his place. This was tough on Luca as he had played well since getting back in the side and he would now miss some three weeks of action.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday March 24th 2007
Serie B Game 33
Fano 3 San Marino 0
This was as one-sided an encounter as we have seen at Fano this season, with the visitors failing to muster a single shot on target during the 90 minutes. We had to wait until almost half time before we broke their resistance though but it was a goal worth waiting for. Odair demonstrated his excellent dribbling sills to beat two defenders and finish powerfully. The Brazilian then showed his skills on the wing, sending in a teasing cross from the byeline that Palacios headed home. Jose Reis then capped off a virtuoso performance by being in the right place to tap in a neat cutback from Andorno to wrap up the scoring and give us a fine win.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Russo (8), Ferri (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (9), Andorno (9), Palacios (8), Carelli (8), Odair (9*), Dall’Acqua (7)

Goals
Odair 43, 71, Palacios 64


Having failed to overcome Reggina a week earlier and miss out on a chance to top the table it came as some surprise to hear that the leaders had slipped up at Livorno, losing 2-0 to allow Fano to take over at the head of Serie B. The last weekend of the month didn’t feature any league action as the Euro 2008 qualification programme continued. Italy were mighty unimpressive in their narrow 2-1 win at minnows Liechtenstein though Scotland looked a little better in gaining a 2-2 draw in Slovakia.

retired_jgirl87

Prepare your farewell speech to Serie B, it looks like you'll be needing one at this rate. KUTGW

Mike..

As another 'ex-pat' manager myself I'm slightly ashamed to say that I'd let this one slip by until now but it's great stuff Bob. Also it's always nice when you see someone else managing a player you've worked with yourself in the past - Dell'Acqua was in my one-time great Cittadella side some time ago, and I note he seems to be equally 'hot and cold' for you but when he was hot he was always red hot

retired_mellnet

From the title I thought that you had resurrected the Bankies...

But it still is a nice read.

retired_amyslack

Thanks for your support gentelmen.

Going To The Wire

With two months and eight games left Fano now had their nose in front in the title race - now it was a matter of keeping it there. Sandy had a good feeling about his boys but every now and again he was still gripped by negative thoughts, doubting his own ability to get the job done. But he was learning how to deal with his own mental anguish. One of his coping strategies was to use his coaching staff as a sounding board for his own fears and their positive reactions helped him to restore a more upbeat perspective in his own mind. The overall view was that promotion was virtually secured and that the Serie B title was a realistic possibility.

Before travelling to Brescia another round of Euro 2008 qualifiers were played. Italy had an excellent 2-0 win over Serbia & Montenegro to take over the leadership of their group whilst Scotland beat the Faroe Islands 2-0. Despite having made a poor start to their campaign the Scots could still take the runners-up slot but group leaders Spain looked set to qualify automatically. Sandy was forced into one team change though as Marco Marinelli was serving a one-match ban for their league game so [b]Jean Dika was drafted into central defence.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday April 7th 2007
Serie B Game 34
Brescia 0 Fano 0
The final scoreline gives a fairly good indication of the quality and excitement on display as neither side ever got into any kind of rhythm. A dour midfield stalemate ensued with few scoring chances created at either end.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Russo (7), Ferri (7), Tchangai (8), Dika (6), Collacchioni (7, sub 43), Andorno (7), Palacios (7), Carelli (7), Odair (7), Dall’Acqua (7)
Subs – Machado (7)


Fano’s brief reign at the top of Serie B came to an end after their draw as a win for Reggina allowed them to re-take the leadership by a point. For the visit of Triestina Sandy could revert to his favoured full back pairing of Tomasetti and Bravo. Tchangai would be serving a one-match suspension but Marinelli was once again available.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday April 14th 2007
Serie B Game 35
Fano 2 Triestina 1
We failed to take full advantage of our first-half superiority and entered the break just one goal to the good. Andorno took his chance well after being picked out by Carelli in the area. The visitors responded well after the break, equalising with 30 minutes remaining but 5 minutes later Odair used his pace and close control to score what proved to be the winning goal.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (8), Bravo (7, sub 78), Dika (7), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (7), Andorno (7), Palacios (7), Carelli (7), Odair (9*), Dall’Acqua (6, sub 60)
Subs – Machado (7), Di Fiandra (6)

Goals
Andorno 22, Odair 65


The first casualty of the season was decided as bottom of the table L’Aquila suffered their 24th defeat and their relegation from Serie B was confirmed. But sandy was focused on the other end of the table and his suspension served, Tchangai was restored to the team for the trip to relegation threatened Ancona.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday April 21st 2007
Serie B Game 36
Ancona 2 Fano 4
For the first 20 minutes it was as if there was only one team on the pitch, and it wasn’t Fano. By that time we were two goals down and looking awful. I could barely believe what I was seeing as we squandered possession and allowed the home side to attack at will. But then young Leo showed his spirit and began to drag his team back into the game. He headed home an Andorno corner to pull a goal back and, perhaps inspired by his example, we started to play some football. Odair found himself alone in the opposition box to score a simple equaliser and we reached the break on level terms. Then in the second half the Brazilian sprung the offside trap to put us ahead and Collacchioni repeated his corner trick to secure the points. I must admit that I got a nasty surprise at the start of the game but we redeemed ourselves well to get the win.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (7), Bravo (6, sub 89), Tchangai (8), Marinelli (6), Collacchioni (9), Andorno (7, sub 45), Palacios (4, sub 45), Carelli (7), Odair (10*), Dall’Acqua (8)
Subs – Riccio (7), Di Fiandra (7), Faccini (6)

Goals
Collacchioni 27, 61, Odair 31, 55


Despite the early scare Fano’s win was enough to take them back to the top of Serie B as Reggina played out a goalless draw at Brescia. For the visit of Catanzaro Sandy decided to restore Massimiliano Riccio to midfield in place of Palacios as the youngster had been looking sharp in training.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday April 28th 2007
Serie B Game 37
Fano 5 Catanzano 1
This was definitely a game of two halfs as the cliché has it. The first period was very even and ended all-square at one apiece. But in the second half the visitors collapsed and we ran out easy winners. Odair kept up his excellent scoring form with a goal in each half with strike partner Dall’Acqua hitting the back of the net twice in little over a minute. Substitute Mirco Di Fiandra completed the rout with his first goal for the club. They were all well taken goals where pace, good passing and intelligent running combined to great effect.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Tomasetti (8), Bravo (8), Tchangai (8), Marinelli (5), Collacchioni (9), Andorno (8, sub 65), Riccio (8), Carelli (7), Odair (9), Dall’Acqua (10*)
Subs – Di Fiandra (8)

Goals
Odair 9, 66, Dall’Acqua 82, 83, Di Fiandra 87


With just 5 games left to play a defeat for Reggina meant that Fano were top of Serie B, 4 points clear of their nearest rivals. But more importantly they had a 13-point gap over 4th placed Bari, meaning that their promotion to Serie A was virtually assured.

retired_amyslack

Almost There Boys

Although not mathematically certain of promotion, there was no room for doubt as far as the press were concerned – next season Fano would be a Serie A team. But whilst some uncertainty still existed Sandy would not accept that promotion was assured – his team still had to work for their reward. But he had to admit to himself that it wasn’t easy to stay detached from the atmosphere of self-congratulation that the papers and TV were building. There were regular articles and feature profiling the team, key players and of course Sandy himself. His final season at Rangers was analysed endlessly and his dark days in the aftermath of his team’s collapse were pored over raising much speculation about his ability to deal with the pressures of management. But throughout it all Mirco was never far from his side, guarding him from the worst excesses of the press, encouraging him with words of support but most of all just trying to let his manager do his job.

As springtime moved towards early summer Sandy was aware that several of his players would be out of contract in the summer so Danilo Stefani and Marco Marinelli were both offered and accepted new 2-year deals. There was more good news to follow as Cristian Pazzi returned from his rehabilitation and began some light training sessions at the club. The chances of the striker actually making an appearance before the end of the season were very slim but it was good to have him back around the place. The squad faced the trip to Chievo in confident mood, sensing just how close they were to making history.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday May 5th 2007
Serie B Game 38
Chievo 1 Fano 0
We fell behind to an early goal and spent the rest of the match playing catch up. We created more than enough chances to at least take a point but found Czech international keeper Peter Cech in unbeatable form. Time and again he denied us with a series of brilliant stops and there was just no way past him. So our unbeaten run of 23 league games comes to an end but with Bari failing to win their game we can still celebrate as our promotion to the top flight is confirmed.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (7), Bravo (7), Tchangai (8), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (8), Andorno (8), Riccio (7, sub 56), Carelli (7), Odair (7), Dall’Acqua (4, sub 24)
Subs – Machado (7), Palacios (7)


And celebrate they did, both on the journey back to Fano and on their arrival at the Stadio Mancini. Thousands of supporters had gathered at the stadium to welcome the team, even though they arrived back home in the small hours of Sunday morning. Mirco was beside himself with joy and alternated between tears and uncontrollable laughter as he tried to come to term with what his team had achieved. Sandy was no less pleased than his Chairman but he remained much calmer than the jovial Italian. His team had made such steady progress this season that some two months ago he was certain in his own mind that they would gain promotion and now that it was confirmed it felt strangely anti-climatic. Getting promoted was great but now his focus was firmly on winning the Serie B title.

In the lead up to the visit of Crotone, Roma were crowned Serie A champions with three games to spare but Sandy’s attention was on his own team. Davide Andorno would miss the game through suspension so Machado would play on the left wing.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday May 12th 2007
Serie B Game 39
Fano 0 Crotone 1
Judging by our performance today the players clearly think that their season is over now that we have gained promotion and they need a strong reminder that we still have the title to play for. This was a pretty poor display and we fell to a late goal because of some slack marking at the back.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8*), Tomasetti (7), Bravo (7), Tchangai (6), Marinelli (7), Collacchioni (7), Machado (7), Riccio (7), Carelli (7), Odair (7), Dall’Acqua (5, sub 77)
Subs – Pierobon (7)


Sandy was not pleased with his players and he made sure that they knew it. He emphasised the importance of making a strong finish to the season to try to secure the league title and worked them hard in training during the week. Fortunately rivals Reggina could only draw so Fano remained in first place and kept a three-point advantage and another defeat for Ascoli sealed their fate as their relegation was confirmed. However Reggina did enough to confirm their own promotion and there was now just one place to be finalised. Such was his inward focus that it almost escaped Sandy’s attention that Inter made up for a relatively poor season in the league by retaining the Italian Cup with a 2-0 aggregate victory over Parma. He was thinking hard about Fano’s next game, which involved a very tough trip to Cagliari who were trying to secure 3rd place and promotion. Andorno was back after his suspension and Sandy decided to start Machado up front in place of Dall’Acqua after his two poor recent performances.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday May 19th 2007
Serie B Game 40
Cagliari 1 Fano 2
No doubt this must have been a very entertaining game for the neutral supporter to watch but it was agony for me. Both sides went all-out for the win and for quite some time it looked like the home side would prevail. They took the lead after 15 minutes and then kept us at bay as we tried to get past an inspired keeper. Odair’s persistence was finally rewarded when he followed up on a rebound from his own shot to get the equaliser. My decision to play Machado was vindicated when his speed and power allowed him to make a decisive breakaway and score the winner.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (6), Bravo (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (5, sub 63), Collacchioni (8), Andorno (8), Riccio (7, sub 63), Carelli (7), Odair (9), Machado (9*)
Subs – Faccini (7), Palacios (7)

Goals
Odair 65, Machado 75


Sandy was very relieved that his team had fought back for a win as he had spent long periods of the game experiencing that familiar feeling of dread, convinced that they were going to blow their chances of the title. He was even happier when he heard that Reggina had drawn yet again, leaving Fano with a 5-point lead with just two games to play. The next day the relegation places in Serie A were all decided with Verona, Lecce and Siena all dropping into Serie B.

Sandy’s intense desire to seal the Serie B title was beginning to introduce an atmosphere of tension around the training ground and at Peter Beardsley’s suggestion the squad gathered together on Wednesday evening for some relaxation. That’s if you could call watching Lazio and Sampdoria battle out the UEFA Cup Final on TV relaxing. A surprisingly one-sided final resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for Samp with the Romans reduced to ten men before the end of the game. But it served its purpose and there was a more tranquil feeling around the club afterwards. Sandy had to make one enforced change fro the trip to Ternana as Tomasetti was suspended so he was replaced by Russo.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday May 26th 2007
Serie B Game 41
Ternana 0 Fano 0
Nerves may have got the better of us in this game as we played some scrappy stuff. There were chances at either end but we failed to get enough on target to warrant a win. Orlandi had to be alert and made some smart stops to keep us all square.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8*), Russo (5), Bravo (7), Tchangai (7), Marinelli (5, sub 64), Collacchioni (7), Andorno (8), Riccio (8), Carelli (7), Odair (7), Machado (7)
Subs – Faccini (7)


Despite losing to Reggina, Cagliari secured their own promotion as Bari also lost. Cremonese failed to get the win they needed to keep their hopes alive and were relegated. The team once again gathered to watch another midweek game – this time to cheer on Juventus as they sought to beat FC Bayern in the Champions League Final. But they were to be disappointed as the German side won a tight game thanks to an unfortunate own goal in the first half. Sandy felt that his team was as well prepared as he could make them for their final game of the season, a home match against Modena. The team knew that the title was almost theirs – even if they lost their superior goal difference would probably see them through. But Sandy wanted a win – he didn’t want to take the title by default. Tomasetti was restored at full back and Faccini was selected in central defence in preference to Marinelli.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday June 2nd 2007
Serie B Game 42
Fano 2 Modena 0
We were all over the visitors from start to finish as the players went for the win that would secure the title. I was delighted that Riccio scored the opener when he headed home from a short corner routine. The visitors were enjoying a short spell of pressure when Pierobon made a decisive breakaway to score the second and make certain of the win. I felt remarkably calm sitting on the bench today and it was great to see the lads performing well and looking confident, as though they fully believed that they would get the win we all wanted. Serie A here we come!

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Bravo (7), Tchangai (7), Faccini (7), Collacchioni (8), Andorno (8), Riccio (8), Carelli (8), Odair (7, sub 71), Machado (8)
Subs – Pierobon (7)

Goals
Riccio 20, Pierobon 76


The final whistle was the signal for a mass celebration as the Fano subs ran out onto the pitch to join their teammates. Mirco and the rest of the suits joined in with great enthusiasm, as did Sandy and his staff. The Fano supporters were of course ecstatic and cheered their team to the rafters. When he could finally drag his players off the pitch Sandy unveiled a case of chilled Champagne in the dressing room and told his team to be showered and ready in an hour as a coach would be waiting outside the stadium to take everyone into town for a meal and a party at one of the local restaurants. It ended up being quite a night as hundreds of supporters followed the bus into town and set up an impromptu street party outside the restaurant. Sandy had no idea what time he got to bed but when he awoke the next day it was well into the afternoon. He sat bleary-eyed over a coffee, thumbing through the newspaper stories reporting Fano’s triumph and tried to take it all in. It was only then looking at the final table that he realised that the final relegation place in Serie B had been taken by Triestina as both Ancona and Pescara had final-day wins to escape the drop. And there on top was little old Fano – Played 42, Won 24, Drawn 12, Lost 6, Points 84. Having already told the players that they could take an early break this summer there was little point in going to the stadium. After a final glance at the headlines he went back to bed for a well deserved sleep.

retired_jgirl87

Superb effort in winning the Serie B title.

As I said earlier, getting from Serie C to Serie A is a great achievement and I wish Sandy (and you) all the best of luck in Fano's debut season in Serie A. :thup: