Spice – Pen and inkwell, Luca D’Angelo’s team has written another chapter in the love story between Spezia and the first day of May. 18 years after the match in which the eagles won Serie B on the Padova pitch, Nikolaou and his teammates beat Palermo 1-0. A result, the result of Di Serio’s goal, capable of projecting the Ligurians out of the relegation zone for the first time.
The story of Spezia – Palermo
Those expecting a tight and balanced challenge were disappointed. Thanks to the error festival, set up hastily by the two teams with the help of the rain, the match remained enjoyable and exciting for 90 minutes. It was Zoet who started the excitement, with a slip that could have cost the hosts dearly. Then it was Pigliacelli’s turn to glide onto the green terrain of the Picco. Again, without consequences. But if the two goalkeepers received the kiss of luck, the same cannot be said for Lund.
A back pass was enough outsized by the American defender to unleash Di Serio’s scoring streak. The Spezia striker catapulted himself onto the loose ball in no man’s land and this time he didn’t make a mistake. Indeed, he allowed himself the luxury of overcoming the Rosanero number one with a delicate touch underneath. At that point, having gained the lead, D’Angelo’s team never took their foot off the accelerator. Taking advantage of outsized supports and slips from her opponents, she came close to doubling her lead several times.
Protagonist, on all occasions, Salvatore Elia. In the 33rd minute, after having regained possession in his own half, he shot from 30 meters and came close to scoring a Eurogoal. Six turns later, however, he delivered a cross that Vignali was unable to capitalize on by centimetres.
Along the lines of the first half, the second half offered two opportunities in just 60 seconds. Palermo has sharpened its claws and tried to scratch with Diakité. Watch out Zoet. Spezia responded with Salvatore Esposito, fed by a free kick from Verde but too hasty in his conclusion. The whirlwind of changes, therefore, slowed down the pace a bit. Brunori and Lucioni attempted the blitz from the white area, Lund the one from long range. But the eagle defense, well-tested and cohesive, repelled every attack.
To avoid problems, however, D’Angelo came off the bench. After having recalled an evanescent Falcinelli to insert Bandinelli, the Pescara coach also decided to change the attacking tandem: out Verde and Di Serio, in Kouda and Pio Esposito. And it was precisely the 9, screwing into the penalty area, that made the Picco stands jump for the last time.
The final whistle from referee Pezzuto thus sealed a victory of capital importance for Spezia. Thanks to the simultaneous defeats of Ascoli and Ternana, with two days to go the whites are sixth from last with 40 points and currently outside the hot zone of the rankings. Their fate will be decided in seven days. The first episode will be staged on Sunday with the away match in Cosenza. The second and last of the season will be on Friday evening when Venezia will arrive at the Viale Fieschi stadium.
