Crossroads with the past, head only to the present. Chasing diametrically opposed but equally priority objectives. Common destiny of Martina and Barletta, opponents in one of the four Apulian derbies of the 32nd day in group H of Serie D. Kick-off at 3pm – as for the other eight scheduled matches – at the Tursi, with live television and social media on Telesveva. Facing teams separated by 31 points – 61 for the home team, 30 for the red and whites – and coached by two figures who know the opposing bench very well due to their experiences as former players. Massimo Pizzuli, in red and white in 2015 at the dawn of the post-bankruptcy restart, expects a Barletta who is anything but demotivated.
His colleague Salvatore Ciullo is called upon to shake up a group that has won only one of the last 20 games played and that away from home they have not found the three points since 5 November 2023, 0-2 on the Rotonda pitch. In Martina Franca he coached in the Lega Pro, 2014/15 season: and he paid with the bench, despite a good performance, for the Tursi match lost against Barletta.
Another cross between fellow regional players with potential verdicts up for grabs is that of D’Angelo between Team Altamura and Gallipoli. A victory would ensure Giacomarro’s Murgians, in a festively dressed stadium, the certainty of promotion to Serie C and a return to that professional dimension that has been missing in the city since 1997. The Salento players, fourth to last and fresh from a change of technical leadership with Di Gennaro promoted in place of Cavallaro, however, they need to score points to avoid losing other positions in the playout key. A Gravina-Bitonto season at Vicino could be worth it: thanks to a positive streak with 10 points in the last four games, Catalano’s Murgians have pulled themselves out of the playout zone and by winning again they could almost secure their salvation. Loseto’s neroverdi are forced to score points to abandon the penultimate position, which currently means direct relegation. A piece of the playoffs up for grabs in Casarano-Matera: rossoblù fifth and +4 on De Sanzo’s team, relaunched by the victory over Fidelis Andria. Nardò wants to protect third place, having a positive streak of two matches and awaiting the first of two consecutive matches at Capozza: facing Rotonda. Home commitments for Fasano and Angri, sixth last and fifth last respectively: Santa Maria Cilento and Paganese await. To complete the day’s program, the challenge between Palmese and Gelbison, teams in the comfort zone.
