2009/2011 – From the repechage to the return in the First Division

The news arrived on July 30th, 2009: Spezia was promoted in the Second Division. After a year in Serie D, the deserved prize came. When the news arrived, the team was from ten days on a retreat in Chatillon. The coach was Doriano Attilio Lombardo, happy to accept the challenge of coaching Spezia, without even knowing the category in which to compete. The sporting director Massimo Varini, certain of the repechage, began to put together the pieces to form a winning team, in conformity with the company programs and with the will of President Gabriele Volpi.

In the beginning, there were ups and downs: difficulties of a new group, the countless injuries, and the resignation of the coach from Campania, then replaced by the coach from Molise, ex Foggia and Venice, Salvo Fulvio D'Adderio. Determination, lucidity, and a simple but effective ingredient: work, work, work. In Pavia, after 3 defeats in a row, the Aquile touched the lowest point of the season, going to a single point from the play-out zone. But when you reach the bottom, the only thing you can do is to rise and that’s what Spezia did: 17 points in 7 games. With the victory of Sesto San Giovanni, Spezia was in the lead together with Legnano, Rodengo Saiano and Sudtirol. On the 27th day, there were 3 points of advantage of the white on the direct pursuers, then something went wrong: injuries, episodes and a moment of frustration of the team of D'Adderio did so that Sudtirol was able to return first, with one point ahead of Spezia.

The challenge of the "Druso" between Sudtirol and Spezia, on the 32nd day, could transform the ranking again, but the 0-0 left the situation unchanged. On the second to last day, the Aquile beat at home Alghero, in an epic match that would not be remembered for the game, but the exasperated agonism in the field. The whites hoped in the new overtaking, but the great enterprise of Sudtirol against Pavia postponed the verdict to the last day. Spezia played a great game in Salò, remaining virtually champion for 34 minutes. But Sudtirol won its last game, making sure of the direct promotion to the First Division. All that was left for the Aquile was to play everything in the playoff: the opponent was one of those that create a lot of worries. Pavia was, according to many, the team that played the best football in group A and had already beat Spezia once that year. But D'Adderio and his men didn't get discouraged: they played at "Fortunati" a match of the highest level, managing to bring home the victory, thanks to a goal by Elia Chianese. In the return match, Pavia tried again, but it was again Chianese who forced Fogacci to make an own goal, sending Spezia to the final.

The first match of the play-off final, between Spezia and Legnano, was played on the neutral field of Lecco due to the unavailability of "Mari" in Legnano. The whites took the lead with an extraordinary goal by Alessandro Cesarini, certainly the most beautiful goal of the season. But they didn't think about the pride of the "Lilla". Legnano was able, in the final 15 minutes, to overturn the result thanks to goals by D'Onofrio and Pontarollo. Spezia played everything in the return match, at "Picco": the Aquilotti played a tough game, as a real team, but at the end of the first 45 minutes, the result was still 0-0, even if the Lombards were in 10 for the expulsion of Bisso.  When the teams returned to the field, Spezia was determined: at 67 'Cesarini foul and penalty in favor of Spezia. Alessandro Cesarini, the leader from Follo, went to the penalty spot: goal and celebration of the crowd. The party became delirium when, at 79th  Cesarini with a long-range shot, beat Furlan for the second time and sent Spezia in the First Division. Joy, songs, dances, tears...Spezia fans poured into Piazza Europa to celebrate: after two years from bankruptcy, Spezia was back where it belonged. For the new season in the First Division, Spezia confirmed the coach and part of the team, but the initial results, despite some good evidence of character, led to the replacement of coach D'Adderio after just five days. In his place came the former Ascoli Alessandro Pane. The team was reinforced with the engagements of important names such as Ighli Vannucchi and Luca Saudati and eight consecutive good results brought the white near to the play-off zone. In January Spezia tried everything to reach the promotion: Low, Bianchi, Buzzegoli, Fiorillo, and Musetti were hired. The test of the new team is in Sorrento, but the Aquile were beaten and began a slow, but inexorable descent towards the play-out zones.

The withdrawal from football of  Luca Saudati at the beginning of February certainly didn’t help. On March 13th, Spezia faced Cremonese at home: despite the initial advantage and the numerical superiority, the mockery arrived in the minutes of recovery that sanctioned the first and only defeat at home of the season. President Volpi revolutionized the technical area aquilotta in toto, calling back Fulvio D'Adderio, to reach salvation. The coach of San Martino in Pensilis collects the challenge with enthusiasm and, once reached the mathematical permanence in the third series, would touch the feat of the play-off on the last day of the championship in Lumezzane. Spezia would close the season in sixth place, the one valid for access to the Coppa Italia. But the real satisfactions of the year came from the youth: the three national teams, 'Berretti', 'Allievi' and 'Giovanissimi' reached the national stages in the three championships of competence. In particular, the 'Berretti' team, coached by Pietro Fusco, had a fantastic season, gaining access to the Final Four, scheduled from June 3rd to 5th in Bassano del Grappa.