the 2009–10 season was an extremely disappointing one for players and fans alike. even though antonio di natale managed to score 29 goals in the league and finished top goalscorer, the season was spent battling against relegation. in the end, they finished in 15th, nine points and three places clear of the relegation zone. the only highlight of the campaign was reaching the semi-final of the coppa italia, beating lumezzane in the round of 16, milan in the quarter-finals, and eventually losing 2–1 to roma on aggregate.