My Picks for Kickest Fantasy Serie A Round 2
After the big result in Round 1, here are my 15 players and the coach for Round 2 of Kickest.
Round 1 was a triumph. 81st Overall out of just under 12,000 squads (we’ve already passed 13,000 since then). As the pros would say, that puts me in the 99.3rd percentile — comfortably in the top 1%.
Helping me achieve that were Pavlović and Kristensen, both scoring once, the ever-reliable Scott McTominay, and Kenan Yildiz, who racked up two assists. Leali was solid in goal (Lecce didn’t manage a shot) and Sucic did his job in midfield. No regrets about subbing Pulisic (8.9 FPT) out for Iker Bravo (2.3 FPT) in Turn 3 — it was the right move at the time.
But now it’s time to focus on Round 2. From this season, transfers between Rounds are free but limited to five per Round. Armed with the Fixture Ticker, I’ve decided who leaves my squad and who comes in. Below, you’ll also find a screenshot of my Round 2 lineup.
My Picks for Round 2 on Kickest
The first step was to identify five players to sell, freeing up the exact credits I needed and redistributing them where the squad was weaker. As always, I didn’t start from single players but from the teams with favorable fixtures. From there, the choices followed.
Out: Leali (Genoa), In: Audero (Cremonese)
I’m convinced Genoa can finish among the top 10 defenses this season, but their immediate schedule is brutal: Juventus, Como, Bologna, Lazio, Napoli. That’s why I’m dropping Leali (10.2 cr) — while cashing in a +0.2 profit — for Emil Audero (8.1 cr). Cremonese have a far easier run: Sassuolo, Verona, Parma, Como in the next four. As a backup to Carnesecchi, Audero is a solid, cheaper option that frees up a couple of precious credits.
Out: Kristensen (Udinese), In: Provstgaard (Lazio)
Thank you, Thomas! With 34.6 FPT — 4th highest in Round 1 — he did his job brilliantly, but it’s time to say goodbye. His +0.6 profit is unlikely to repeat, especially with Inter up next fresh off hammering Torino. In comes another Danish defender: Oliver Provstgaard (8.5 cr). With Romagnoli suspended and Gigot injured, he looks set to start for Lazio. Add a favorable schedule, and it’s a gamble worth taking.
Out: Østigård (Genoa), In: Hermoso (Roma)
Against Lecce, Vieira surprised everyone by picking Mercandalli over Østigård. I completely overlooked this, leaving him in my XI — but this is where Kickest shows it’s 15 vs 15, not 11: Kristensen subbed in during T3. Genoa’s tough run means Østigård goes, at a –0.2 loss, making room for Mario Hermoso (9.7 cr). Starter against Bologna in Round 1, and likely to keep his place vs Pisa. It’s almost a forced pick given the budget, though I fear Hermoso might not last long in my squad.
Out: Bravo (Udinese), In: Cancellieri (Lazio)
What a disappointment, Iker! With 2.3 FPT you kept me from an even better finish. I’m benching you for another Lazio player: Matteo Cancellieri (8.5 cr). As you can see, no big names have been sold — this is about strengthening the squad with a mid-term view. Lazio’s next five fixtures are Verona, Sassuolo, Roma, Genoa, Torino. Cancellieri had a strong preseason and, with Isaksen out, should keep his place in the starting XI. Worth a shot.
Out: Fàbregas (Como), In: Sarri (Lazio)
The toughest decision. I think Como can get a result at Bologna, but the coach slot can really swing a Round. So who do I pick? The man who just lost 2–0 to Fàbregas: Maurizio Sarri (9.6 cr). As mentioned, Lazio’s fixtures are good, and with his –0.4 price drop after a negative score, he’s cheaper now than at the start. The plan is to keep him for at least two Rounds, unless Lazio collapse at home vs Verona.
My Team for Round 2
Nothing is set in stone, of course. Much will depend on the famous “last-minute lineups”. Some of the players I’ve picked aren’t guaranteed starters, and on Kickest we know just how crucial it is to start from the first whistle to maximize points.
Good luck to all managers — we’ll meet again before Round 3, hopefully climbing even higher in the rankings!