“Ascoli gets back on its feet in Terni, but the road remains uphill: Botteghin decides”, headlines the Sports newspaper.
The Bianconeri beat Liberati 1-0 and once again hope for salvation. Il Picchio joins the Umbrians in the standings with direct clashes in favour.
Ascoli is alive thanks to ‘holy’ Botteghin. The Brazilian returns in style, scoring the most important goal of the championship. The one that allows Liberati to win 1-0 again and put their heads above water by overcoming the Bari-Spezia duo in one fell swoop with Ternana reached, but put in a disadvantageous position thanks to direct clashes. There couldn’t have been a better outcome against the red-greens of the former Breda.
A match that provided an unexpected twist as time expired and was fundamental to producing the necessary spark. Even without fans, who remained at home due to the restrictions, the Bianconeri were able to shake themselves at the last useful call. Carrera had made few changes in choosing his starting eleven with Valzania and Caligara from the first minute. The unprecedented tandem of Nestorovski and Duris is up front.
On the other front Breda opts for the great former Dionisi. Ascoli started with a wait-and-see attitude and Fere’s first call came on the half-hour mark with de Boer’s high shot from a good position. Carrera’s men are cumbersome and this clearly facilitates a Ternana with very clear ideas on the game plots to develop. The great opportunity for Ascoli arrives a few seconds before the break: Vaisanen misses the target from two steps. In the second half the clock starts playing tricks.
About twenty minutes from the epilogue Casasola accomplished the impossible by hitting the post alone in front of Vasquez. The Woodpecker is still alive. The contenders abandon all tactics and play it out. Rodriguez comes close to taking the lead by shooting at Vitali. The match seems to be heading towards a draw when Botteghin inflates the net. His pressure is very heavy to get Ascoli back on track. Now salvation is possible.
