the home defeat against Cosenza has complicated the salvation plans but there is still hope

ASCOLI Cosenza has a bomber, Ascoli (with Mendes out of action) does not. And thanks to Tutino’s Eurogoal, the rossoblù celebrated 0-1 at Del Duca. Three points that mean arithmetic salvation for the Calabrians, a knockout that instead condemns Picchio to a thrilling last 180 minutes: with Bari and Ternana tied with the Bianconeri at 37 points, the matches against Palermo and Pisa will be decisive for Carrera’s boys. Today the ranking says Spezia safe (40), with Bari and Ascoli playing for the playouts by virtue of the better ranking apart from Ternana. But, as mentioned, there are still 6 points up for grabs for each team to try to reach the goal. That of direct salvation, however, has become a chimera for Picchio: given the disadvantage in the direct clashes with Spezia and Bari, the Bianconeri would have to finish ahead of both to celebrate without a playout.

Listen unless…

Two possibilities. The first. Beat Palermo and Pisa, so as to end the regular season at 43, and hope for the missteps of the others: Spezia should not obtain more than two points (maximum 42), Bari must not win two victories (maximum 41). The other path allows Ascoli to celebrate even with 4 points: Picchio would close on 41, but at that point Spezia would necessarily have to lose both matches (40), Bari not obtain more than one victory (maximum 40) and Ternana did not do better than Ascoli (maximum 41).

Listen to the playouts if…

In all other cases, the Bianconeri will only be able to aim for the playouts. For the play-offs, they need to finish in fourth-last place, in the knowledge, however, that fifth-last would give them the advantage of playing the return leg at home. Also to be considered are the points obtained in the regular season: if the fifth-last team does better than the fourth-last team, a double draw is enough for survival (as happened to Ascoli in 2017/18 with a double 0-0 against Entella). If the two teams, however, end the season on equal points, in the event of a further tie after the two playout matches, extra time and penalties will continue.

The last 180′

And what does the calendar say? On Sunday we all play at the same time (3pm). Spezia visits Cosenza: it remains to be seen whether the Calabrians will play with a knife between their teeth to try to get into the playoffs (-3) or whether they will already be on holiday. Bari visits a Cittadella team that is in the same situation as Lupi (45 points, already safe but can look forward), then it will be a match with Brescia (48) who close the playoff zone today. Ascoli takes on a Palermo (52) in crisis but who, after protests from the fans, must beat the Bianconeri to regain confidence. Then it will be the last 90 minutes against Pisa (45), whose ‘hunger’ will depend on the possibility of still being able to reach the playoffs. And Ternana? A Catanzaro (60) arrives in Umbria who can aspire to fourth place (-3) to ‘skip’ a playoff round, then they will be away with Feralpisalò: thrilling, if the Leoni del Garda are still fighting for salvation; from ‘outing’, if the Lombards (most likely) have already sunk into C.

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