The 2011-12 campaign was a season of ultimate disappointment for Cesena, as the Cavallucci Marini spectacularly burned out, finishing a crushing 20th in Serie A, resulting in relegation to Serie B. The club had brought in veteran star Adrian Mutu as a marquee signing, and despite his respectable haul of 8 goals, a total that included his 100th goal in Italian football, the team could not arrest their slide. It was a dark, frustrating year that ended their two-season spell in the top flight, a painful and defining chapter marked by high hopes that ultimately gave way to the harsh reality of finishing bottom of the league.