Venezia return to Serie A as Serie B champions, but the optimism of promotion has been swiftly extinguished by a brutal start to the campaign. Four matches, zero points, fifteen goals conceded, and a place at the bottom of the table. Giovanni Stroppa remains in charge, and the club invested nearly €50 million on twenty-one new players, the most aggressive recruitment of any promoted side. Yet the defensive collapse in the opening weeks has raised serious questions about whether this squad is equipped for the survival fight. This is the definitive guide to the current Venezia squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Giovanni Stroppa
Tactical Philosophy: Stroppa is a specialist in promotion and survival battles, having previously guided Crotone and Monza to Serie A. His Venezia side continues the 3-5-2 system that delivered the Serie B title, prioritising width from wing-backs, compactness in central lanes, and quick transitions through the half-spaces. Out of possession, Stroppa favours a mid-to-low block, absorbing pressure before springing forward. The problem in the opening weeks has been the ease with which Serie A opponents have carved through that block. Fifteen goals conceded in four matches is a rate that guarantees relegation unless corrected immediately.
Preferred Formations: 3-5-2, consistent with last season’s promotion-winning shape.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Venezia were the most active of Italy’s promoted clubs, committing close to €50 million on twenty-one new arrivals. The net spend of approximately €12.7 million was funded by the sales of Issa Doumbia to Sporting CP for €20.53 million, Nicolussi Caviglia to Parma for €6 million, and captain Michael Svoboda to Brighton for €5 million. The strategy was clear: rebuild the squad with Serie A-calibre talent, retain the core of the promotion-winning group, and give Stroppa the depth to compete across a long season.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akor Adams | Striker | Sevilla | €16m |
| Albion Rrahmani | Forward | Sparta Prague | €7.5m |
| Amer Bella-Kotchap | Centre-Back | Hellas Verona | €7m |
| Redouan Hallal | Centre-Back | Mechelen | €5m |
| Kornel Lisman | Forward | Lech Poznan | €2.5m |
| Ale Gomez | Defender | Real Zaragoza | €2m |
| Tomás Basic | Midfielder | Free Agent | Free |
| Thierry Correia | Right-Back | Valencia | Free |
| Simone Zom | Midfielder | Fiorentina | Loan |
| Matias Moreno | Centre-Back | Fiorentina | Loan |
| Toni Fernandez | Attacking Midfielder | Barcelona | Loan |
Akor Adams is the headline investment and the player on whom Venezia’s survival hopes rest. The Nigerian striker scored ten La Liga goals for Sevilla last season, and his physical profile, aerial ability, and finishing efficiency are precisely what a newly promoted side requires. He scored twice on his Coppa Italia debut, demonstrating an immediate understanding of Italian football. Albion Rrahmani arrived from Sparta Prague to provide competition and depth through the middle. Bella-Kotchap and Hallal form a new centre-back partnership, though their integration has been far from seamless. Basic, a free transfer from Lazio, adds Serie A experience and technical quality to the engine room. Correia joined from Valencia on a one-year deal with an extension option tied to survival.
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Filip Stankovic (#1): The Serbian goalkeeper, on loan from Inter, is the undisputed first choice. Stankovic has Serie A experience from his time with the Nerazzurri and has made six saves in four appearances. His shot-stopping and command of the area are critical for a defence that has been repeatedly exposed.
Lorenzo Montipo (#96): The experienced Italian joined from Monza to provide genuine competition. Montipo has years of Serie A experience and is a capable deputy if Stankovic’s form dips or injury strikes.
Matteo Grandi (#23): The third-choice goalkeeper provides depth and a reassuring presence in the dressing room.
Defenders
Amer Bella-Kotchap (#17): The German centre-back arrived from Hellas Verona with a reputation for physicality and aerial dominance. His career has been disrupted by injuries, but when fit he possesses the attributes to compete with Serie A’s physical forwards. He is the anchor of the back three.
Joel Schingtienne (#3): The young Belgian defender joined from Mechelen and has been thrust into a starting role. Schingtienne’s pace and ball-playing ability are assets, but his adaptation to Serie A’s intensity remains a work in progress.
Redouan Hallal (#25): The Moroccan centre-back provides further depth in central defence, his physical profile suited to the demands of the Italian top flight.
Matias Moreno (#2): The Argentine joined on loan from Fiorentina, offering a left-footed option in the back three. His tactical intelligence and composure on the ball suit Stroppa’s build-up preferences.
Bartol Franjic (#4): The Croatian is the most versatile defender in the squad, capable of operating at left centre-back, in midfield, or at left wing-back. His tactical flexibility is invaluable over a long season.
Ridgeciano Haps (#5): The Surinamese left wing-back is a key attacking outlet. Haps’ stamina and delivery from wide areas provide Venezia’s primary source of crosses. He has already registered one assist this season.
Thierry Correia (#14): The Portuguese right-back joined from Valencia on a free transfer. Correia’s pace and attacking intent provide a threat on the right flank, though his defensive positioning requires refinement.
Juan Jesus (#15): The experienced Brazilian centre-back arrived from Inter, bringing leadership and Serie A know-how. At 35, he will not start every match, but his presence in the dressing room is invaluable for a young defensive unit.
Pasquale Mazzocchi (#70): The Italian full-back joined on a free transfer from Lazio, providing depth and competition on the right flank.
Richie Sagrado (#20): The young defender has already scored one goal this season, demonstrating an unexpected attacking threat from the wing-back positions.
Midfielders
Gianluca Busio (#6): The captain and United States international is the heartbeat of Venezia’s midfield. Busio’s passing range and game reading make him the primary conduit between defence and attack. He has started all four league matches and contributed one assist. His contract extension keeps him at the club until 2026.
Tomas Basic (#26): The Croatian midfielder arrived from Lazio on a free transfer, bringing Serie A experience and technical stability. Basic provides the control and passing options that complement Busio’s creativity.
Simone Zom (#19): The Swiss midfielder joined on loan from Fiorentina and operates in a more advanced role. Zom’s connection with the forward line was evident in the Coppa Italia victory over Modena, and his final-third passing is a key component of Venezia’s attacking structure.
Antoine Hainaut (#18): The French midfielder joined from Mechelen and has provided unexpected attacking output, contributing one goal and one assist in the opening weeks. His energy and running power give Venezia’s midfield a dynamic dimension.
Kike Perez (#71): The Spanish midfielder was a key figure in last season’s promotion and remains an important squad member. Perez’s late runs into the box and shooting from distance offer a goal threat from midfield.
Torir Johann Helgason (#21): The Icelandic midfielder joined on a free transfer from Lecce, adding depth and competition to the engine room.
Alfred Duncan (#32): The Ghanaian midfielder provides defensive cover and tactical discipline, his experience valuable in the survival battle.
Toni Fernandez (#77): The 18-year-old joined on loan from Barcelona and represents a long-term investment. Fernandez has already made first-team appearances, and his technical quality hints at a bright future.
Forwards
Akor Adams (#45): The club’s record signing and the focal point of Venezia’s attack. Adams scored ten goals in La Liga for Sevilla last season, and his physical profile, aerial ability, and finishing make him the player most likely to deliver the goals needed for survival. He scored twice on his Coppa Italia debut, but the league goals have yet to arrive.
John Yeboah (#10): The Ecuadorian is described by Stroppa as “irreplaceable.” Yeboah’s running and pressing are central to Venezia’s high-intensity approach, and he scored in the Coppa Italia against Modena. His speed and directness make him a threat on the counter-attack.
Albion Rrahmani (#7): The Kosovan international joined from Sparta Prague for €7.5 million. Rrahmani is a versatile forward capable of playing as a central striker or a second striker. His arrival gives Stroppa options in attack, particularly when rotation or a change of approach is required.
Leon Raulbach (#29): The German forward provides height and physicality as a rotation option through the middle.
Kornel Lisman (#56): The young Polish forward joined from Lech Poznan as an investment for the future.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Gianluca Busio
The United States international is the on-field leader, his contract extension ensuring stability in midfield. Busio’s journey has mirrored Venezia’s revival, and his leadership and identification with the club make him the natural choice as captain.
Homegrown Quota Check: Venezia’s squad is heavily reliant on foreign players, with twenty-eight non-Italian players representing approximately 78% of the total. This places a premium on careful management of the homegrown quota. Italian players such as Montipo, Mazzocchi, Grandi, and Busio (who qualifies through residency) help satisfy the registration requirements. The club has loaned out several academy players, including Marco Ladisa to Trento and Alvin Okoro to Sudtirol, to gain experience.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview: Venezia’s net spend of approximately €12.7 million, funded by the sales of Doumbia, Nicolussi Caviglia, and Svoboda, represents a significant investment for a newly promoted club. The high turnover of players reflects both ambition and necessity, but the early results suggest the rebuild has not yet gelled. Relegation would carry severe financial consequences given the scale of the outlay.
Contract Red Alerts: Stroppa’s contract runs until 2029, demonstrating the club’s commitment to the project. Correia’s deal includes an extension option tied to survival. Adams is contracted until 2030, protecting the club’s most valuable asset. The focus now is on ensuring those contracts remain valid in Serie A.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch: Toni Fernandez, on loan from Barcelona, has already featured for the first team. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder represents the future of Venezia’s creative department. Alvin Okoro, who gained experience in Serie B and C, has been loaned to Sudtirol, but his contract extension until 2031 signals the club’s long-term belief in his potential.
Notable Out on Loan: Marco Ladisa (Trento), Alvin Okoro (Sudtirol), Mattia Compagnon (Hellas Verona). These loans are designed to provide regular first-team football and accelerate development.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Akor Adams (First Choice). Adams converted three of three penalties for Sevilla last season and is the undisputed first-choice taker.
Direct Free-Kicks: Tomas Basic / Kike Perez.
Corners & Crosses: Ridgeciano Haps and Thierry Correia are the primary sources of width, with Basic and Busio responsible for dead-ball delivery.
For Fantasy Serie A managers, Akor Adams is the standout Venezia asset. His ten-goal La Liga season and Coppa Italia brace demonstrate genuine scoring ability. Busio’s assist potential and defensive contribution numbers make him an intriguing midfield option. However, Venezia’s defensive collapse, fifteen goals conceded in four matches, makes their goalkeepers and defenders extremely high-risk selections.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Venezia are in the midst of a survival crisis. Four matches, zero points, and a goal difference of minus eleven represent the worst possible start for a newly promoted side. Stroppa’s 3-5-2 system showed attacking potential in the Coppa Italia comeback against Modena, but Serie A’s intensity has exposed the structural frailties.
The integration of Akor Adams is the greatest source of hope. His double in the cup demonstrated that he can score in Italian football, but the league goals must follow quickly. Yeboah’s energy and Busio’s creativity need to translate into tangible attacking output.
The defence is the immediate priority. Bella-Kotchap and Schingtienne must forge an understanding quickly, and Juan Jesus’ experience should be utilised more frequently. Conceding at a rate of nearly four goals per game guarantees relegation unless arrested.
Venezia’s investment demonstrates ambition, but the margin for error is razor-thin. Stroppa’s contract and the club’s long-term planning are predicated on survival. If a defensive solution cannot be found before the next international break, the season may become a battle against the drop that Venezia are ill-equipped to win. The championship of Serie B feels a distant memory already.
