PROMOTED TEAMS

EMPOLI

Serie B champions Empoli will be returning to Serie A after a two-year absence following a dominant title-winning season. As always, avoiding relegation will be the main priority and, to that end, the club has reappointed experienced coach Aurelio Andreazzoli for his third spell in charge.

SALERNITANA

Salernitana finished four points behind Empoli to claim the other automatic promotion spot, yet it was only early in July that their place in Serie A was confirmed, as the club were owned by Claudio Lotito, owner of Lazio. Federation rules forbidding dual-club ownership have, for the time being, been “circumvented” by the creation of Trust Fund ownership. This one will run and run.

VENEZIA

Venezia are back in the top flight 20 years after their last promotion to Serie A after beating Cittadella in the Serie B play-off final. Coach Paolo Zanetti, the man behind their promotion, has been confirmed but he faces a massive task to avoid relegation. Several additions have been drafted in to help fight the fight.