Background: Founded in 1904, AC Siena currently compete in Italy’s top league, Serie A, having gained promotion at the end of the 2010-2011 season.

As one of the league’s smaller teams, the Bianconeri (“Black and Whites”) have often found themselves bouncing between Serie A and B.

Well-known past players have included former Middleborough forward Massimo Maccarone and Chelsea striker Tore André Flo.

The current star of the team is Napoli and Italian U-23 player Emanuele Calaiò who scored 18 goals in last season’s promotion campaign.

The club plays its home games in the famous Tuscan city better known for its culture, wine and the Palio horse race around the town’s giant piazza that pits colorfully named neighborhoods against themselves every summer.

Their small (15,725 capacity) but atmospheric stadium is located in the city center and is often compared to English stadiums due to the lack of a running track and the subsequent proximity of the fans.

Training takes place at a multi-field training complex shared with the local Serie D team in the nearby town of Colle di Val d'Elsa.

Head coach Giuseppe Sannino, age 54, is himself a newcomer to Italy’s top flight having coached a number of modest clubs, gaining particular notoriety by taking Serie C club Varese to the brink of promotion to Serie A.

He took over this past June from former national team star Antonio Conte who left for Juventus. Sannino is often cited for his determined and gritty (“grinta”) coaching style and his team reflects this.

A sturdy 4-4-2 with a well drilled back line, two holding midfielders, all-purpose outside midfield players and a center forward not shy about tracking back into midfield to form a 4-5-1 in away games.

This is a team built, not for artistry but for survival, in Serie A.

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