Frosinone didn’t enjoy the grand return to Serie A that they would have liked. Indeed, they finished one point behind eventual champions Venezia.
Even so, promotion to Italy’s top tier was welcomed with open arms. Having endured a disappointing return to Serie B following their 2024 relegation, it was a marked improvement in fortunes. Importantly yet, they’ve made a solid start to life back in Serie A.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Whereas Venezia are labouring at the foot of the table with just three points to their name owing to a six-game losing run to open up the season, Frosinone sit sixth in the league. They’re above the likes of Juventus, Napoli and Atalanta following their 4-2 win over Sassuolo on Friday night. They recovered from a 3-0 loss to the Partenopei in style. Head coach Massimiliano Alvini deserves ample credit, and then some.
Alvini took over the Frosinone reins last summer, and immediately masterminded promotion in his debut campaign at the Stadio Benito Stirpe. And to oversee such a fine start to the campaign warrants ample praise.
Teams struggling to handle Frosinone
The 56-year-old favours a high-octane, high-pressing approach. His Frosinone side start in a 4-2-3-1 setup but sit deep to soak up pressure before springing forward at speed. The Canaries have managed just 42.6% possession in the 2026/27 Serie A campaign, the fourth lowest.
Crucially is that Frosinone work tirelessly off the ball to boost their chances of catching opponents short. Only Roma (396) have made more ball recoveries than Alvini’s side (373). 19.9 tackles and 10.6 interceptions per game rank second and third, respectively. 16 fouls per game is more than any other team. They aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in their efforts to both minimise pressure on the goal, and subsequently hit teams hard and fast.
After all, 348 attempted long passes is the fourth most in the division. 16 shots following a counter attack is more than any other Serie A team. While they’ve netted just one counter-attacking goal this season, there’s a clear plan in place to aggressively pursue the ball before springing forward.
What this does mean is that while they rank fourth for shots per game (17.4), they are also second for shots conceded per game (19.6). The in-your-face defensive approach does disrupt opponents. It also leaves gaps at the back that can be exploited, evident in that nine goals conceded is the same as 13th-place Torino.
Even so, it’s an approach that is working so far. A 2-0 home win over Como has been the highlight of the season far. Cesc Fabregas’ side dominated possession, yet couldn’t handle Frosinone’s relentless.
Giacomo Calo influence
Giacomo Calo was arguably Frosinone’s star player in last month’s home triumph over Como, and he’s the heartbeat of this side. Calo netted the opener against Como, that one of two league goals this season, while he has one assist to his name this term.
That assist haul should be higher. That’s because Calo ranks top for chances created (29) in Serie A this season. The 29-year-old is third for big chances created (5) and sixth for accurate long passes by outfield players (22).
At club level, 352 passes is comfortably the most for Frosinone. An 81.5% pass accuracy doesn’t make for great reading, but he is the player who takes the most risks for Frosinone. Alvini doesn’t want his players to hold onto the ball for the sake of it. Rather, he wants to get the ball wide and forward as quickly as possible.
As such, Calo’s passes aren’t always going to find their mark. When they do, then Frosinone’s chances of scoring increase significantly. This is for two reasons.
Alvini’s set his side up to maximise Calo output
Firstly, Calo doesn’t have the same defensive responsibility as midfield partner Patrizio Masini. The 25-year-old has made 19 tackles and 11 interceptions in Serie A this season. By comparison, Calo has made five tackles and two interceptions. Masini is the workhorse in the middle of the park. This frees up his 29-year-old teammate to work his magic on the ball.
Secondly, Calo has speedy wingers down either flank to maximise his range of passing. Just 25% of Frosinone’s attacks come through the middle of the park, the third lowest such proportion in the division. On the flanks, he has Giorgi Kvernadze down the left and one of Seydou Fini or Fares Ghedjemis on the right. The trio rank in the top three for completed take ons per 90 of all Frosinone players (3, 2.2 and 1.3, respectively).
With rapid options on the right and left, Calo’s ability to rapidly set his side on the frontfoot has enabled Frosinone to make a fine start to the Serie A season. It’s some feat for a player in his debut campaign in Italy’s top flight.
And as long as he has the speedsters down the wings and the midfield partner to carry out the dirty, defensive work, then Calo should continue to shine in Serie A, thus allowing Frosinone to continue to exceed expectations.