No calculations, calendar crossovers and separate rankings are needed to describe the last ninety minutes of the green and white regular season. Numbers and play-off regulations in hand, to the Wolves all that remains is to win to take second place. Nothing could be simpler for Michele Pazienza’s boys who, for their last match of the championship, will have to compete against Crotone. But above all, it will be an important challenge to understand if Armellino and his companions actually have it the Taranto misstep has already been archived.
Against the Ionic team, the green-and-whites really did their best to make life difficult for themselves. The absence of play, ideas and competitive wickedness were determining factors in the Taranto debacle, where Avellino actually lost due to its own demerits. Capuano’s training was limited, as often happens, to carrying out the most classic of tasks. The Apulians did well to close the flanks and obscure Patierno’s return movements. But above all, the Ionian team did well to play from the counter and capitalize on one of the few opportunities granted by the green and whites. And this must sound like an alarm bell for the Pazienza boys who now know they can no longer make mistakes.
On Saturday (kick-off set for 6.30pm) we will have our last chance to finish in second place. In front there will be the Crotone by Lamberto Zauli who on Sunday, thanks to the comeback success at home against Monopoli, officially secured his pass for the post season. The Pythagoreans, ninety minutes from the end of the season, however, they can still aspire to seventh place (only one point away) which would allow the First Round of the Group to be played within the friendly walls of the “Scida”.
Those who instead want to play the return match at home, but above all reach the Second Round of the National Play-off Phase it’s Avellino. Michele Pazienza’s team will have the great advantage of play without paying attention to the result of the “Massimino” of Catania where the Benevento. Both at 66 points, in case of success for both it would still be the Irpinia team that would come out on top, ahead in direct battles. Rankings and calendar clashes that are really of interest to Avellino, who just have to win.
(Cover image by Sandro Montefusco)
