Three points in the last nine games, with six defeats and three draws. This is the poor performance of the last period which led Bari to slip into the play-out zone in the Serie B standings.
With 36 points four days from the end of the regular season, salvation by avoiding the play-offs to avoid relegation is a damn complicated objective for the red and whites, expected by a thrilling clash at the home of Cosenza, a direct competitor to remain among the cadets they will have from the he has a three-point advantage and home advantage.
Saturday 27 April at 4.15pm at “San Vito-Marulla”, the team entrusted last day to former Primavera coach Federico Giampaolo, who took over from Beppe Iachini (the third coach sacked on the Galletti bench throughout the season) an important slice of salvation is at stake, in a moment that to define as complicated is an understatement.
In addition to the crisis of results (the victory was missing from the home match against FeralpiSalò on 17 February) and a tactical and playing identity that has never been defined, Bari must in fact deal with an emergency situation in the advanced department, determined by the ailments of his parents.
Cosenza-Bari, Di Cesare in tears: “More important than June 11th”
As proof of how delicate the moment is, the tears of captain Di Cesare, who last Wednesday in an emotional press conference defined the match against the Calabrians as “more important than that day”, referring to 11 June 2023, the date of last season’s play-off final lost to Cagliari.
How Cosenza arrives
Cosenza, which includes six former red and whites (Micai, Camporese, Frabotta, D’Orazio, Marras and Tutino) is fresh from the exhilarating poker inflicted at home on Reggiana and with a victory they would make the definitive leap to salvation. The Lupi della Sila coach, William Viali, will not be able to count on the suspended Praszelik and Voca. Calò should also be part of the squad, having worked separately for almost the entire week, while Crespi’s condition remains to be assessed. Few doubts about what the starting eleven could be: the 3-5-2 with Micai between the posts should include the defensive trio of Meroni, Venturi and Camporese. Calò is the starting director, but if he doesn’t make it, Viviani will take his place. Zuccon and Antonucci will act as midfielders, while the external lanes will almost certainly be manned by Marras and D’Orazio. In attack the pair formed by Tutino and Mazzocchi is confirmed.
Bari, broken hand for Puscas: out against Cosenza
How Bari arrives
The red and white team coached by Federico Giampaolo will present themselves at the “San Vito-Gigi Marulla” accompanied by 2000 fans but in great emergency in attack. There will be neither Diaw, struggling with the usual back problems, nor Puscas, who underwent surgery after breaking his left hand. This is also why Primavera striker Emanuele Zanaboni (2005) was added to the first team. Maiello is also out due to a problem with the rectus femoris, while the left-handed player Guiebre is back available. The Galletti should take the field with the 4-3-3. Between the posts, despite the negative performance against Pisa, trust should be given to Brenno and the defensive line should be made up of Di Cesare and Vicari in the centre, flanked by Dorval and Ricci on the wings. In midfield Maita and Sibilli should support Benali, while in support of Nasti, another great ex of the match and the only center forward available to Giampaolo, the presence of Kallon, who performed well with Pisa, and Morachioli ahead of Aramu is likely.
Cosenza-Bari: probable lineups
COSENZA (3-5-2): Micai; Meroni, Camporese, Venturi; Marras, Zuccon, Calò, Antonucci, D’Orazio; Tutino, Mazzocchi. All. Avenues
BARI (4-3-3): Brenno; Dorval, Di Cesare, Vicari, Ricci; Maita, Benali, Sibilli; Kallon, Nasti, Morachioli. All. F. Giampaolo
Referee: Zufferli from Udine
Assistants: Capaldo – Trinchieri
IV: Madonia
VAR: Paternal
AVAR: Paganessi
Cosenza-Bari: the precedents
The match between Cosenza and Bari has 35 official precedents. In the head-to-head match between the two teams, the Apulian club has the advantage with 17 victories against the 10 successes of the Calabrians while 8 matches ended in draws. In the 17 matches played in Cosenza, the hosts won 8 times, while Bari prevailed on 6 occasions and 3 matches ended in a draw.
During this season, the match occurred on the 18th matchday in the match played on 23 December at San Nicola, which ended 0-0. The last precedent in Cosenza, however, dates back to 10 September 2022, and saw the red and whites prevail 0-1 with the winning goal scored in the 49th minute by Walid Cheddira.
Cosenza-Bari: where to watch it on TV and in streaming
Cosenza-Bari, valid for the 35th matchday of Serie B, will be broadcast on TV on Sky Sport (channel 253) and in streaming on Dazn, SkyGO and Now.
