Bari comes away with broken bones from the direct clash with Cosenza: at San Vito-Marulla it ended 4-1 for the hosts, who can now consider themselves safe. For the red and whites, however, the nightmare of direct relegation is rapidly materializing given their third-to-last place in the standings.
Once again the Galletti got the ball rolling at the start, conceding the first goal to Mazzocchi just five minutes after kick-off. The second goal scored by the former Tutino following an assist from the other former Marras player arrived shortly after the quarter of an hour of play. Nasti, another ex from the match, illusively rekindled the hopes of the Apulians in the 44th minute.
In the second half, which began with a post hit by Nasti himself, Federico Giampaolo’s team nervously tried to close the gap but in the last quarter of an hour they collapsed, conceding Calò’s 3-1 goal from a free kick, and after left with ten men due to Bellomo’s expulsion, it liquefied after suffering Forte’s poker, ending up among the “olé” of the Cosenza public.
Three days before the end of the regular season, the matches against Parma (at home), Cittadella (away) and Brescia (at home) remain. The first match against the Ducali who will seek direct promotion is scheduled at San Nicola on Wednesday 1 May at 6pm. Mathematics still does not condemn Bari, but it is clear that avoiding relegation to Serie C is now a desperate mission.
Cosenza-Bari: the news
Bari’s formation changes again, set up with 4-2-3-1. Between the posts there is Pissardo in place of Brenno, in defense Pucino takes over Dorval. Maita and Benali are the two in front of the defense, while the attacking midfield behind Nasti are Kallon, Sibilli and Aramu.
After 2′ Cosenza’s first shot with a free kick by Calò from 30 meters directly into the goal, Pissardo manages to deflect it for a corner. And in a similar situation, in the 5th minute yet another goal conceded at the start by the red and whites: a free kick delivered into the area by Calò, which Mazzocchi scores from close range and beats Pissardo. In the 8th minute, following the development of a corner, the red and white protests for a suspected touch with the arm in the Cosenza area, for Zufferli everything is in order. At 10′ Tutino tries a shot from outside but the ball ends up high over the crossbar. In the 13th minute, D’Orazio makes his way on the left-footed out and crosses to the center for Mazzocchi who heads the ball without hitting the target. As the action continues, Calò shoots but misses the target. Cosenza’s second goal came in the 17th minute orchestrated by two former players: Marras’ escape on the right, a low cross to Tutino who beat Pissardo with his left foot with his left foot. Copycat action in the 21st minute, this time the Bari goalkeeper manages to clear. In the 29th minute Kallon’s shot from outside the area was deflected for a corner. After giving away the first half hour, Bari showed the first timid signs of awakening. In the 34th minute, a free kick near the flag: Aramu’s cross to Kallon who heads it wide. In the 36th minute there was a melee in the Calabrian area, Bari claimed another handball but the referee’s quick check revealed no foul play. In the 40th minute Pucino shoots a free kick directly towards goal from a tight angle, Micai saves himself for a corner. In the 44th minute Bari closes the gap: Aramu finds Sibilli on the edge of the area, after a couple of dribbles in a forest of Cosenza legs, a cross shot is corrected on goal by Nasti in a regular position.
At the start of the second half Viali replaced the booked Venturi with Fontanarosa. After a weak shot by Mazzocchi saved by Pissardo, a much more dangerous action by Bari who in the 48th minute hit the post with Nasti, who had been served by Aramu. The red and whites were unlucky. In the 56th minute Benali tries with a left foot from inside the area but is blocked for a corner. Following the development of the corner, another melee, at the end of which Sibilli unleashes a left-footed whip just wide of the post. First change between the red and whites at the hour mark with Morachioli taking Aramu’s place, while in Cosenza Florenzi came on for Marras and Cimino for Zuccon. 20′ from the 90th minute Forte takes Tutino’s place among the hosts while Giampaolo in the 75th minute sends Bellomo and Dorval onto the field for Kallon and Pucino. Cosenza closed the match in the 79th minute with a splendid free kick from Calò from 25 meters towards the top corner, which was uncatchable for Pissardo. In the 82nd minute, a direct red card for Bellomo for putting his hands around Calò’s neck. 86th minute Calò out replaced by Viviani. In Bari Acampora for Maita and Achik for Benali. The Calabrians spread in the 88th minute on the counterattack with Forte.
Cosenza-Bari 4-1: the scoreboard
COSENZA (3-5-2): Micai; Camporese, Venturi, Meroni; Marras (62′ Florenzi), Zuccon, Calò, Antonucci, D’Orazio; Tutino (70′ Strong), Mazzocchi. Available: Lai, Marson, Cimino, Gyamfi, Crespi, Viviani, Canotto, Frabotta. All. Avenues.
BARI (4-2-3-1): Pissardo; Pucino (75′ Dorval), Di Cesare, Vicari, Ricci; Maita (87′ Acampora), Benali (87′ Achik); Kallon (75′ Bellomo), Sibilli, Aramu (60′ Morachioli); Nasti. Available: Brenno, Matino, Lulic, Guiebre, Zuzek, Edjouma, Zanaboni. All. F. Giampaolo.
Referee: Zufferli from Udine
Assistants: Capaldo – Trinchieri
IV: Madonia
VAR: Paternal
AVAR: Paganessi
Scorers: 5′ Mazzocchi (C), 17′ Tutino (C), 44′ Nasti (B), 79′ Calò (C), 88′ Forte (C)
Notes – yellow cards 39′ Venturi (C), 41′ Zuccon (C), 45’+4 D’Orazio (C), 52′ Benali (B), 61′ Pucino (B), 72′ Micai (C). Sent off: 82′ Bellomo (B) Recovery: 3′, 5′.
