With a mixture of fallen giants (Vicenza, Reggina), provincial underdogs (Cosenza, Cittadella), teams with Serie A experience (Bresica, SPAL), and bankrolled mega-projects (Monza), Serie B has it all in the 2020/21 season. This should be one of the tightest seasons in recent memory with every game being competitive. Expect goals, controversy (VAR is being utilized for the first time), and drama.
This year also serves up a number of strong kits (and a few exceptional ones). Italian club manufacturing and merchandising are notoriously lax so a number of these kits are not currently available to purchase yet (despite the season already being underway). Expect that to change in the coming months with club stores usually being the best way to buy. A number of Serie B clubs offer international shipping as standard, but for those that don’t, I have found a friendly email can allow you to rectify any issues.
Now for the list. Enjoy!
10. EMPOLI F.C. – HOME
Club: Empoli are a team based in Tuscany who last played in Serie A in 2018. They are one of only a few teams to ever have played in Serie A and not be from a provincial capital city. The azzurri reached the Serie B playoffs last season and have started off strongly again this campaign. Leonardo Mancuso is the best attacking player in the squad and will have to be in top form again if Empoli are to challenge for a playoff spot this year.
Kit: I am an Empoli fan so I may be biased, but the deep blue paired with the iconic Sammontana sponsor means this has to be in the top 10. Add some classic Italian Kappa branding on the shoulders and pair it with a new centenary club quest, and you have a solid shirt to start off this list.
Club Store: Not yet on sale (https://empolifc.com/shop/)
9. PORDENONE CALCIO – HOME
Club: Last season, Pordenone competed in Serie B for the first time in their 100 year history. The small team from Fruilli-Venezia-Giulia nearly defied the odds and gained instant promotion to Serie A, only falling at the playoff semi-final stage. If they are to replicate the success of last season, the form of defensive stalwart Mirko Stefani is vital.
Kit: Pordenone and Givova are a good pairing – with both the team and brand up and coming in the football and kit world. The distinct patterning really lifts the quality of this kit, the dark shades of green pairs well with black and not even the dreaded multiple sponsor can ruin it. With an online Pordenone club store to launch soon, this will be the first time the club’s shirt will be easily up for grabs outside of the city.
Club Store: Online store coming soon (http://shop.pordenonecalcio.com/)
8. BRESCIA CALCIO – HOME
Club: Brescia were relegated to Serie B last season after an ill-fated spell in Serie A and a forgettable homecoming for Mario Balotelli. The team from Lombardy have started life in Serie B poorly also, but will want to turn it around and challenge for promotion. After selling Sandro Tonali to AC Milan, Alfredo Donnarumma and Ernesto Torregrossa are perhaps their most talented players and should look a cut above in the second division.
Kit: The white chevron on the blue Brescia shirt is a classic design dating back to the 1920’s and which achieved legendary status in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Whilst this jersey does not live up those worn by Roberto Baggio and company, it is still a solid effort. The badge is strong, and I love an Italian bank sponsor for local flavour, but something is missing that could take it towards the top spot.
Club Store Link: http://store.bresciacalcio.it/prodotto/4922/kombat-pro-2021-brescia-home.html (€89)
7. A.C. REGGIANA – HOME
Club: Reggiana gained promotion to Serie B last year (under the name Reggio Audace) and have started the league strongly. Reclaiming their official Reggiana name (after previous bankruptcy) is a boost and the team from Emilia-Romagna will hope to achieve Serie A status again in the near future. Simone Muratore on loan from Atalanta (who was signed from Juventus in a controversial transfer) will hope to stake his Serie B credentials this year.
Kit: Macron are underrated in the kit world and I really like this kit. The gold and shades of red really work together, and the tricolour detailing on the sleeves and colour helps this pop. This would have been nice with standard stripes, but the distinct patterning lifts it from good to great. Extra points also for the ‘Reggiana’ name returning on the logo.
Club Store Link: Not yet on sale (https://test.reggianacalciostore.it/)
6. A.C. MONZA – AWAY
Club: Monza (from Lombardy) gained promotion from Serie C last season and have a real chance of ascending straight into Serie A. Owned by former Italian Prime Minister and Milan Owner Silvio Berlusconi, they have spared no expenses in forming a squad with experience and skill. Whilst Kevin Prince Boateng is the marquee signing, the astute loan signings of Davide Frattesi and Davide Bettella from Sassuolo and Atalanta, respectively, could have more impact on the field.
Kit: I wish Lotto would partner with more Italian clubs, as they were a staple in the ’90s and 2000s. This is a great example of a quality Lotto shirt, with the large logo sleeve branding of old. The herringbone-like pattern is superb, and I prefer the blue, red, and white coloring of the away shirt to the red and white of the Home kit. You couldn’t go wrong with either, and Monza is hoping this is the kit that can take them to Serie B glory.
Club Store Link: Away not yet on sale. Home – https://www.lotto.it/maglia-ufficiale-home-ac-monza-20-21.html (€80)
5. L.R. VICENZA – HOME
Club: Vicenza also gained promotion from Serie C last year, meaning 3 of the 4 teams that gained promotion feature on this list. Vicenza is the oldest team in the Veneto region and is also formerly a Serie A club (and a former Coppa Italia winner). Despite going bankrupt in the 2017/18 season, they’re hoping young striker Gabriele Gori, on loan from Fiorentina, can help with returning them to former glory.
Kit: With the club owner a fashion mogul (Diesel, Maison Margiela, etc.), it would be ironic if Vicenza didn’t make this list. The instantly recognizable sponsor helps, but the red and white stripes of Vicenza is a proven classic on its own. Add the Lotto branding and you have a winner. For a less traditional look, the crazy Third kit is worth a mention, but I find the Home much more aesthetically pleasing.
Club Store Link: Not yet on sale (https://www.lrvicenza.net/e-shop/)
4. FROSINONE CALCIO – HOME
Club: Frosinone is from the Lazio region and was traditionally a Serie C club for a large number of years. They have managed in recent times to establish themselves in Serie B and achieved two historic promotions to Serie A in recent years, lasting only one season in the top flight both times. They were defeated in the Serie B playoff finals last season and should challenge for promotion again this year. Striker Federico Dionisi has been at the club since 2014 and whilst at 33 years of age, he may start on the bench, but expect him to grab a number of important goals this season.
Kit: You would be hard-pressed to find a badly designed Zeus kit. The Italian company always has interesting designs, and all three Frosinone kits this year are great in their own right. The Home edges it for me with the traditional yellow color of I Canarini. The large badge, the iconic Zeus lightning bolts, Italian bank sponsor, and striped design all combine to form a beautiful strip. Finally, the embossed lion at the bottom showcases why Zeus is so great in the kit game right now.
Club Store Link: https://store.frosinonecalcio.com/product/maglia-gara-home-20-21/ (€60)
3. A.C. PISA – HOME
Club: Pisa has Serie A pedigree dating back to the ’60s but has recently found themselves languishing in Serie C. The Tuscan club reached Serie B in 2019/20 and missed out on a playoff spot on the last day, and will have designs of going at least one better this year. Last year’s top scorer Michele Marconi will have to be as deadly in front of goal if they are to reach their aim.
Kit: This shirt has everything. The blue and black stripes are a great combination and are complemented by the gradient effect, but it’s the small details that enhance this kit. The golden adidas logo and three stripes are a classic and the Pisa logo with the iconic Leaning Tower are magnificent. Finally, the Pisan cross takes pride of place in the center of the shirt. Should every team have their local flag on the kit? Perhaps so after seeing this effort.
Club Store Link: https://ilpisastore.it/collections/official/products/maglia-ufficiale-pisa-blu (€70)
2. DELFINO PESCARA – THIRD
Club: Pescara (from the Abruzzo region) only escaped relegation to Serie C last season by a penalty shootout win in the Relegation Playout. The team currently looks a long way off from competing in Serie A again (their last appearance was 2016/17), but their great Twitter admin and COVID-19 fundraising activities (see the outrageous fan contest training shirt) more than makes up for it. Keeper and Captain Vicenzo Fiorillo will be vital to Il Delfino’s form this season, and after a promising transfer window, they will hope to improve quickly.
Kit: This may be a controversial choice but this jersey is clean, simple, and elegant. Errea is another great manufacturer and the ocean blue color is in keeping with the club’s brand. I am a big fan of adapting the club badge for Away or Third kits (see the Lupi Badge for this year’s Roma away jersey), and the simplified logo on the white strip integrates the design seamlessly. This shows that sometimes, less is more.
Club Store Link: https://store.pescaracalcio.com/product/pescara-maglia-gara-third-2020-21/ (€85)
1. VENEZIA F.C. – HOME
Club: Venezia as a city should need no introduction and Venezia FC has one of the most unique match day experiences in football requiring the use of a boat to get to the stadium. Despite having a good Serie A pedigree, Venezia has recently found themselves in the lower parts of the Serie B table and only avoided relegation in the 2018/19 season due to the bankruptcy of Palermo. There were signs of improvement last year and the signing of star striker Francesco Forte from relegated Juve Stabia is a huge coup.
Kit: Where do I start with this one. Simply the best jersey in Serie B this year. The Arancio Nero Verde (Orange Black Green) color scheme of Venezia is one of my favourites in world football (and is a result of a club merger with neighbouring club Mestre). Previously donning stripes, the change to hoops works beautifully and also serves as a nod to the famous Venetia gondoliers. The Lion of Venice Badge and the stylised text across the chest solidifies this as a future classic. It is then topped off by the famous Nike tick. A must buy.
Club Store Link: https://shop.veneziafc.it/collections/kit-gara/products/maglia-gara-home-man-2020-2021 (€85)
