A crucial crossroads for the present and, perhaps, also for the near future. A crucial crossroads, which probably marks the border between the diabolical road that leads straight to “hell” and that of “reconciliation” through another tour of “purgatory”. Bari is called to a final test of heart and pride this afternoon, when starting from 4.15pm they will be guests of Cosenza, on the pitch of the municipal stadium of the Calabrian city, San Vito Gigi Marulla. The challenge valid for the 35th matchday of Serie B represents, for both teams, a terrible direct clash on the path to salvation.
The moment of the two teams
The hosts are confident. The team coached by Viali has been sending encouraging and above all vitality signs for a couple of weeks: after the two consecutive defeats against Ternana and Brescia the rossoblu have won 5 points in the last three matches, due to the draws with Feralpisalò and Palermo and the victory 4-0 on the Reggiana pitch, in the last round of the championship. The Calabrians have 39 points, in 14th position, with a 3 point advantage over Bari, 16th, right in the playout zone. The red and whites’ black ranking is the natural consequence of over two nightmare months, closed with 3 points in the last 9 games, equal to a disconcerting average of 0.3 points per game. The victory has been missing since February 17th (Bari-Feralpisalò 1-0, 25th matchday). After that 6 defeats and 3 draws. The only timid sign of life for the Apulians came in the second half of the last home match against Pisa, when, thanks to a finally show of character, Giampaolo’s men managed to recover the deficit, also trying to win the match . Bari’s objective is therefore to start again from that tough and combative attitude, which at the moment appears to be the only possible way towards maintaining the category.
Challenge between black shirts
On paper the two teams are balanced, but in a negative way. Cosenza enters the match with the fourth-to-last home performance of the championship: 18 points won at San Vito in 17 matches, the result of 4 wins, 6 draws and 7 knockouts. The last success occurred over three months ago, on January 20th: Cosenza-Venice 4-2 (21st matchday). On the other hand, Bari stops at the foot of the Sila with the unenviable gift of representing the penultimate external performance: 12 points, again in 17 matches, as a result of 2 wins, 7 draws and 8 defeats. The Galletti’s last smile away from home, as is known, dated 29 October: Brescia-Bari 1-2. Since then only 4 points, the spoils of as many draws. For the rest an avalanche of falls.
The story of the match
Cosenza and Bari face each other for the 20th time in Serie B: the balance is in favor of the red and whites with 8 wins to 6, while there are 5 draws in the second half. At the “San Vito Marulla” there are 17 matches played by the Apulians, with an outcome this time the prerogative of the Calabrians: 8 victories for the hosts, 6 those for the red and whites, 3 matches ending with the X sign. The last three expeditions took place concluded with as many victories for Bari, two in Serie B, one in the Italian Cup. Last season it was a goal from the usual Cheddira, at the start of the second half, that gave success to the team then led by Mignani. There was a goalless draw in the first round match.
The environment
The appointment is deeply felt by the home fans. Between 7 and 8 thousand spectators are expected. But Bari will not be alone at all: the away section is almost full, populated by 1,500 red and white supporters.
SO ON THE FIELD
COSENZA (3-5-2-): Micai; Venturi, Camporese, Meroni; Marras, Zuccon, Calò, Antonucci, D’Orazio; Tutino, Mazzocchi. All. Avenues
BARI (4-2-3-1): Pissardo; Dorval, Di Cesare, Vicari, Ricci; Maita, Benali; Kallon, Bellomo, Sibilli, Nasti. All. Giampaolo
REFEREE: Zufferli (Udine); assistants: Capaldo (Naples), Trinchieri (Milan); fourth official: Madonia (Palermo); VAR: Paterna (Teramo); AVAR: Paganessi (Bergamo)
