Roccaporena

By: Dan | July 19th, 2009

The tiny Umbrian hamlet of Roccaporena is where Reggina has been training the last week or so in preparation for the upcoming Serie B season. It’s not easy to keep track of everything that’s going on up there, but this is what I know…

In a friendly with Citta di Castello we won 8-0. Goals came from Nicolas Viola, Emiliano Bonazzoli (his first goal!), Fabio Ceravolo (3), Antonio Barilla, Alessio Viola and Joelson. You can check out highlights of this match by visiting regginacalcio.tv.

First half: Puggioni, Adejo, Rizzato, Volpi, Rizzo, Valdez, Missiroli, Barillà, Bonazzoli, Viola N., Ceravolo.
Second half: Marino, Adejo (31′ Barillà), Rizzato (11′ Missiroli), Volpi, Hallfredsson, Valdez (8′ Rizzo), Viola A., Barillà (26′ Ceravolo), Joelson, Viola N., Ceravolo (17′ Rizzato)

And also last week the first friendly was played against a local amateur side. Reggina won 15-0… a good sign for this group of players who were playing together for the first time. Christian Stuani bagged five goals in this one, and Joelson had a had trick.

Meanwhile, we have made our fourth signing of the summer: Biagio Pagano (pictured above). Pagano is a 26-year-old midfielder who grew up in the Atalanta youth ranks, but has played for Rimini the past few seasons. He is primarily a right outside midfielder, so he was likely signed to fill the void that Alessio Sestu and Luca Vigiani left. Although Daniel Adejo also plays this position and should be starting in my opinion! We’ll see though..

We now have a few exists also confirmed.. Lorand Szatmari, the young Hugnarian midfielder, has been sold outright to Pescara (Forza Delfini!), where he will also meet up with former Reggina player Luca Tognozzi. Romanian Jonis Khoris was released by the club after playing last season on loan at Ravenna, and has signed with Taranto. Young striker Leonardo Pettinari, who was never able to get his feet wet in Reggio, has been bought by Cittadella.

RUMOR PATROL! The market is far from being closed, and I know that Novellino would still like to reduce the number of players at his disposal. Joelson could be on his way out with Brescia being a potential suitor. Christian Puggioni is being linked with Livorno, which in that case we would have to make a new signing. We might turn to Piacenza keeper Mario Cassano. Cassano has been my goalkeeper on Football Manager after I got Reggina relegated to Serie B, and he has done a fine job, so therefore I am fan. Franco Brienza is still a mystery, but Salvatore Mastrunzio and Daniele Cacia are two names that have been floating around as possible replacements. I think we will see a shakeup in in the attack in the next couple of weeks.

And finally… Coppa news. We are set to play the winner of Arezzo-Castellarano, which was played last week I believe but I’m not able to find that result.