After spending much of last season in the relegation zone and having had two separate spells of eight and nine matches without a win, Chievo finally wheezed into life at the crucial time; saving themselves from relegation with two victories in their final two matches.
2014-2015 Serie A preview: Chievo Verona aiming for survival after impressive summer window
After just avoiding relegation last season, Chievo have significantly strengthened over the summer, but it remains to be seen if their recruitment policy will be a success.
Dino Panato
AC Chievo Verona:Verona, Veneto Last season: 16thCoach: Eugenio Corini
A relatively busy summer has followed last season's near-failure, bringing in proven Serie A quality in Mariano Izco and Maxi López, as well as the dependable Valter Birsa on loan from AC Milan. Their squad is definitely stronger than it was last season, and fans of the Flying Donkeys will be confident of a season free of relegation worries.
Key Player
Maxi López
Two difficult years have passed since Maxi was in his Catania pomp, showing the kind of form that got him a transfer to then-reigning champions AC Milan. Off-pitch concerns have seen him distracted over the past season but if he can regain his focus, he could be the talisman that Chievo have longed for over the past few seasons.
Key departures and arrivals
In: Maxi López, Mariano Izco, Nicola Bellomo, Alessandro Gamberini, Riccardo Meggiorini, Ervin Zukanović, Edimar, Francesco Bardi.
Out: Cyril Théréau, Luca Rigoni, Boukary Dramé, Michael Agazzi, Kamil Vacek, Adrian Stoian, Victor Obinna
Reasons to watch
Over the past few seasons, Chievo have specialised in providing the casual viewer with very few reasons to watch them. However, that has changed with the arrival of López and all of his widely publicised off-field issues with Inter striker -- and husband to his ex-wife -- Mauro Icardi. As such, the Flying Donkeys’ clashes against the nerazzurri could well be explosive, with no love lost between Maxi and his compatriot.
Where they might finish
Lower mid-table, somewhere between 12th and 16th.
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