PESCARA. Pescara on Sunday in Fermo (start at 8pm) must lock down the seventh position in the standings, the last position needed to have the first play-off round at home, but will have to deal with the midfield emergency. In fact, coach Emmanuel Cascione will not be able to count on the suspended Niccolò Squizzato and the injured Salvatore Aloi. The former Avellino player didn’t train yesterday either and won’t be there on Sunday in Fermo. Aloi was examined on his knee by Dr. Gabriele Tavolieri, head of orthopedics at the Pierangeli Clinic, and the decision was made not to risk it in the last match of the regular season. No serious problems, just an inflammation for the strong midfielder who will be available for the play offs. And the possible postponement of the play-offs due to the appeal made by Taranto could also help.
Towards Fermo. In midfield, all things considered, it’s an emergency. Cascione had always said in his press conferences that Aloi and Squizzato represented two strong points for Pescara. Losing them at the same time in an important match is not pleasant. How to replace them? The point guard role will be played by Matteo Dagasso, born in 2004, who has already given ample guarantees in that position this season. Dagasso had become indispensable with both Zeman and Bucaro while in Cascione’s latest choices he ended up out of the starting lineup. However, the Biancazzurri coach has always spoken well of the product of the Biancazzurri spring and already last Sunday in the second half against Ancona Dagasso showed that he is no disfigurer. With Georgi Tunjov certain of a shirt, it remains to be seen how the midfield will be completed. There are three on the ballot: Simone Franchini, who would guarantee physicality and who is eager to play after being out for a long time, Antonino De Marco who perhaps today is the one who would best complement Dagasso and Tunjov and Lorenzo Meazzi who, however, has never convinced as a midfielder. The infirmary. Speaking of Aloi’s condition, Filippo Pellacani still worked separately yesterday in defence, but his knee is practically healed. A possible call-up for Sunday will have to be evaluated but it is not a concern for the play offs. Also apart is the offensive winger Masala who, like Pellacani, will need to be re-evaluated. The one who is much better and will be present in Fermo is Davide Merola. The precautionary stop for the white-blue striker was assumed, but yesterday he trained regularly with his teammates and will be present on Sunday. Merola is Cascione’s certainty: 16 goals scored, constant danger for the opponents and a return round lived as an absolute protagonist. His problem? A very slight groin pain but which is well controlled and which will not prevent Merola from being there already on Sunday. For Cascione it is undoubtedly good news.
The choices. Cascione will always start from 4-3-3 for the last act of the regular season. Today and tomorrow will be fundamental to resolve some doubts. Floriani, Brosco and Mesik should be confirmed in defense. Pierno and Milani in the ballot for the role of left back. In the midfield Dagasso plays, Tunjov right midfielder and one of De Marco, Franchini and Meazzi to complete the department. Accornero and Merola are starters in attack, Cuppone-Vergani run-off to complete the trident.
The trip. At the moment, pending official announcements, the sale of tickets for the guest sector of the Fermo stadium has been suspended. It is not excluded that the competent bodies could decide to ban the white and blue fans from traveling after the riots last Sunday at the end of the match between Pescara and Ancona. Today at 10 am the decisive meeting of the Gos.
Enrico Giancarli
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