PESCARA. The curtain rises on the playoffs. To tell the truth, the last memory in the minds of the Biancazzurri fans is not so good. Last year fatal penalties against Foggia and farewell to the final for promotion to Serie B. Pescara tries again, starting from afar or from the first round of the group today at 8.30pm at the Adriatico stadium against Pontedera. To move forward on their journey, Plizzari and his teammates will only need a draw at the end of the 90′. There are no overtimes and penalties. In the event of progressing to the next round, the Delfino will face Gubbio (away), if they beat Rimini, or, in the event of a victory for the Romagna team, the winner of Juve U23-Arezzo.
«Where can we get to these playoffs? We know well”, said coach Cascione, “that getting to the end will be very difficult. But it’s not impossible.” With these words the Biancazzurri coach made it clear that his Pescara will give their all to try to make what today appears, in the eyes of many, the classic “Mission impossible” feasible.
The infirmary. Against Pontedera, already beaten twice this season, Matteo Dagasso will be absent. For the class of 2004, a muscular problem. Gigi Cuppone didn’t train yesterday, Cascione will decide before the match whether to start him or not. Aloi is better and is struggling but Franchini did very well in Fermo. «Aloi, he knows how to deal with these types of matches. I saw it with the right attitude. Cuppone? He had a little trouble after Fermo. We handled it and got it to catch its breath. Even Merola must always be managed. Tactically we must try to distort ourselves as little as possible. Otherwise we risk playing the match against Ancona. We must not lose distance and we must not force them to play. They have quality and are good with many good individualities. Franchini and Tunjov? They played a great match in Fermo. Simone did very well, Georgi is growing and has shown a lot that he cares. He has changed his mentality since I’ve been here. The choices? I have to talk to Cuppone before the match. And I decide with the staff whether to start it from the beginning or not.”
The choices. Two doubts will be resolved before the match. In the initial 4-3-3 Plizzari will defend the posts, a defensive line made up of Floriani, Brosco, Mesik and Milani. In the median Squizzato and Tunjov are certain of a jersey, Franchini has a slight advantage over Aloi. Accornero and Merola are out wide in attack and then it will depend on how Cuppone feels. If he is well he will be the starter, otherwise there will be room for Vergani. “The defence? I didn’t work on an individual level with the kids. Our defenders are good. I worked on the team’s defensive phase, the concept is different. I have never changed the two central defenders, Brosco and Mesik, because they are doing well. They communicate with each other, they talk to each other and I’m very happy. Pierno played as a left back in Olbia and with Ancona doing well. I’m interested in there being a common objective which is the team and not the individuals.”
Looking at the future. Having said that trying to get to the end «It’s not impossible», Cascione responded thus to those who asked if a possible reconfirmation is at stake in these playoffs. «What am I at stake? What the team plays. I’m not looking for confirmation, we have to do well in the play offs. Game after game. In the end, if it goes well, we all benefit. Society, square, team and me too. The environment? I know the situation and I hope it can be resolved. I’ll just say that our fans can make a difference.” Appointment at 8.30pm to make the best possible start to those play-offs which last year provided emotions, filled the Adriatic and froze the blood of the blue and white fans in the semi-final lost to Foggia on penalties.
Enrico Giancarli
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