Frosinone’s return to Serie A has begun with the kind of early momentum that can change a club’s sense of its own limits. Ten points from the opening five rounds have taken Massimiliano Alvini’s side to sixth, only three behind the leading group of Roma, Inter and Lazio, after a victory over Como at the Benito Stirpe.
Key takeaways
- Frosinone sit sixth on 10 points, three points behind Roma, Inter and Lazio at the top.
- Alvini joined the Ciociaria club in summer 2025, shortly after ending his contract with Cosenza.
- Six Frosinone players have received Italy youth call-ups, while eight others are involved with senior national teams.
- Against Como, Frosinone fielded seven Italian players in their starting XI.
- The club’s stated target remains survival, despite an encouraging opening to the campaign.
Alvini’s long road to the Stirpe
At 56, Alvini has arrived at this moment through a coaching career built far from the usual shortcuts. The Tuscan, born in Fucecchio, began 26 years ago at Signa and later had spells at Quarrata, returning to both clubs during his early development.
His journey then took him to Tuttocuoio, whom he led into Lega Pro, before further work at Pistoiese and Albinoleffe. He later took Reggiana back into Serie B after a 21-year absence, and went on to manage Perugia, Cremonese and Cosenza before Frosinone president Maurizio Stirpe called him to the club.
There have been dismissals, disappointments and recoveries along the way. That background helps explain the restrained tone around Frosinone’s present standing: a newly promoted side can enjoy its start, but the season remains centred on securing another year in the division.
Alvini has often drawn on a lesson attributed to his fellow Fucecchio native Indro Montanelli: “Fight for what you believe in. You may lose every battle, as I did. But there is one battle you can win: the one fought each morning when you look in the mirror. If you can do so without blushing.”
A young group finding its place in Serie A
The win over Como offered a telling image of Frosinone’s identity. Silvio Baldini pointed to the seven Italians in Alvini’s XI against a Como side made up entirely of foreign players. Across Serie A’s first five matchdays, foreign players accounted for 68.6% of those used, compared with 31.4% Italians.
Alvini’s team have earned their early points with an approach based on pressing, direct forward play, man-to-man work and collective energy. More importantly for a club whose long-term strength must come from development, he has given young players responsibility rather than simply keeping them on the margins.
Five Frosinone players have been selected by Baldini for Italy youth squads: Palmisani, Raimondo, Calvani, Fini and Cichella. Amey has also received an Italy Under-20 call-up from Carmine Nunziata.
The squad’s international reach extends beyond Italy. Oyono represents Gabon; Schmid Austria; Bobceck Slovakia; Birligea Romania; Trezic Serbia; Hada Albania; Fayed Egypt; and Kvernadze Georgia. For Frosinone, those call-ups are another indication that a group assembled for survival carries talent of real value.
The table will inevitably change as autumn becomes winter, but Alvini’s first weeks have given Frosinone more than points. They have supplied a promoted club with belief, a clear working identity and a reminder that modesty and ambition need not be opposites in Serie A.
