Lamezia Terme – It’s the final countdown. There are less than 24 hours left until the eagerly awaited match between Bisceglie and Vigor Lamezia, the return semi-final of the national play-offs which will see the green and whites play for part of their promotion chances in Puglia. We start again from the pyrotechnic 3-3 of the “D’Ippolito”, a result which, on paper, favors the team led by Mr. Di Meo, forcing the Lametini to conquer the “Ventura” or, possibly, rely on another equal to the sound of networks. However, it is not a mission impossible, especially considering what Danilo Fanello’s boys showed in the first match, who were good at straightening out a well-played match, probably better than the Nerazzurri, but complicated by some too much defensive lightness and by the poor filter during the lethal counterattacks that cost two goals in just five minutes. In Bisceglie, however, Scalon is likely to return from the first minute, an essential factor in the economy of the mechanisms of the green and white rearguard, whose presence could prove decisive in stemming an offensive department which in the first leg has already demonstrated its ability to do harm, albeit without a striker, Pignataro will be on the pitch regularly in tomorrow’s match. Certainly, however, Vigor will have to start from there, from that vehement reaction capable of giving life back to the Serie D dream and demonstrating how the pass to the final is not a mirage at all, on the contrary. Above all with the support of their fans, ready to fill the bus organized by the club for the trip to Puglia in a flash, a tangible sign of the newfound enthusiasm of what, all things considered, could prove to be an authentic added value. The green and white president Salvatore Rettura is convinced of this, speaking to the microphones of Il Lametino on the eve of the most important match of the season.
Considering what Vigor showed on the pitch and the type of goals conceded, often on the restart, how much regret is there for the result of the first leg, in particular for those five minutes of blackout in the second half which cost two goals?
“Well, let’s start by saying that Vigor is a strong and compact team, and we had proof of this with the comeback, because any team, at 3-1, would have thrown in the oars, while our boys, despite everything, are managed to regain the result. It must be said, however, that there is a lot of regret, because on points the victory belonged to Vigor, given the amount of opportunities and also the two goals that were almost missed at 3-3″.
Having conceded three goals at home almost forces Vigor to win in Bisceglie, which is by no means a given, especially with the return of striker Pignataro to the hosts. What are your feelings about Sunday?
“My feelings and those of the fans are positive. After many years, the enthusiasm of following Vigor on a long trip has been rekindled. It’s true, Pignataro will return, but we hope to count on Scalon from the first minute. I would also be satisfied with a nice 4-4 (laughs), but we will go there to win. And we have all it takes to achieve this feat.”
What mistakes shouldn’t the team make this time? After the first match, Mr. Fanello spoke of too much frenzy in certain situations in which one had to be more rational, a danger that risks repeating itself, if not becoming more pronounced, having to make the match one’s own. What will she ask the boys about her?
“The team, as Mr. Fanello well said, must not be in a hurry to score and expose themselves to deadly counterattacks. During finishing, I will ask the boys for two things: maximum concentration first and foremost, so that we cannot make any mistakes, and to fight for every ball, until the last second and until the last drop of sweat.”
Beyond the epilogue not yet written, how do you evaluate this first season at the helm of Vigor Lamezia?
“I cannot help but consider the overall evaluation as president of Vigor Lamezia positive. I’ve been rooting for these colors since I was a kid and not everyone becomes president of your favorite team. We can say that, as a first season, it was very challenging and full of obstacles. First of all, I want to remind you that Vigor, due to its history and coat of arms, does not belong to this category and the massive presence of the public is proof of this. Let’s not forget, in fact, that many of my predecessors took this team to many other stages, which I hope we can see again. It wasn’t easy: we had to commit ourselves to setting up a team that could immediately make the jump to the category, something we are trying to do by entering through the window, despite a season full of obstacles, from not having our own field for training to constant injuries and, consequently, an always crowded infirmary. Not to mention the fact of playing as guests in your own home, or having to review, not at all lightly, some choices made at the start of the championship. In any case, I sincerely hope that I have proven myself to be a president worthy of Vigor and its fans.”
These are the players called up by Vigor Lamezia for the match against the “Gustavo Ventura” in Bisceglie:
Goalkeepers
Columbro, Diano
Defenders
Amendola, De Nisi, Donoso, Fiorentino, Lanciano, Mascaro, Scalon Villella
Midfielders
Calomino, Curcio, Foderaro M. Lavrendi, Rodriguez, Silvagni
Attackers
Bernardi, Catania, Chirico, Foderaro G., Garcia, Spanò, Verso
The meeting will be led by Mr. Salvatore Montevergine from Ragusa, assisted by assistants Mauro Ignazio Cordeddu from Cagliari and Alessio Proietti from Terni.
Kick-off at 4pm.
Francesco Sacco
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