On 18 June 2014, by defeating Francioni di Latina 2-1, Cavalluccio secured its last promotion to Serie A. Let’s relive that magical evening together…
It seems like yesterday. And instead, next Tuesday, it will be ten years. Hell, ten years already. That Wednesday 18 June 2014, 8.25pm or so, it was hot in the Pontine area. Very hot. Even though, an hour earlier, a heavy downpour had tried hard to cool the environment. The stadium (stadium?) was the Francioni. Old Francioni. The speakers spewed Emma’s new hit into the air. While in the stands, among provincial journalists with already patched armpits and aspiring showgirls from the suburbs with – be careful: body shaming on the way – a few extra kilos on their backs, the current prime minister Giorgia Meloni stood out (what eyes!) and a folkloristic guy who had brought three porchetta sandwiches from home (what a belly!). In short, the atmosphere that evening in Latina was like a village festival. Although, in reality, that evening, the last useful pass to Paradise was up for grabs. Three days earlier, the first act of the playoff final staged in the Manuzzi stadium had brought a 2-1 in favor of Cesena (Cisotti had responded belatedly to the goals from Marilungo and Volta). The troop led by Breda, to mock the Cavalluccio, therefore only needed victory. A ‘simple’ victory. That Wednesday evening full of pathos and humidity, the hosts, driven by Francioni’s badass bedlam, immediately started strong. Very strong. After 13 turns of the clock, Latina was already ahead, thanks to a goal scored by Bruno. The Little Horse took the blow, it didn’t derail. But for the entire first half he was absolutely unable to mount a convincing reaction. At minute fifty-two, however, here is the turning point. Wait. Invoked like never before. The wild Marilungo ‘kills’ the inadmissible Brosco, ball in the middle from – to the great disappointment of Meloni… – left, ball for Defrel who can’t make a mistake from a few steps. One by one. The rest is history. True story. With the useless forcing of Latina. With Jonathas’ bad mistake under goal. With the final penalty converted by the glacial Emmanuel Cascione in the 93rd minute. Right in front of the section of the stadium reserved for the torrid Juventus team. “When I saw the ball go into the net the whole season flashed before me – remembers the match-winner of that match – That was a season full of satisfactions. But also of difficult moments. I will never forget that run of mine under the visiting curve again: in my career I have never experienced such an intense moment…”. “It’s always nice to think back to that magical evening – says Pierpaolo Bisoli, who 10 years ago in Latina achieved his third promotion ‘branded’ to Cesena – Although, to be honest, I didn’t enjoy that promotion like the one in Piacenza. In 2014, in fact, I arrived at that final too tired, too exhausted…”. That evening, Federico Agliardi was also on the pitch. “If I take that triumph out of my drawer of memories I still get shivers – assures the former Juventus goalkeeper – Cascio’s penalty, the celebration with our fans first at the stadium and then (on the way back, ed.) at the entrance to the E45, our arrival at Manuzzi at 6 in the morning, breakfast at dawn…: it’s all well engraved in my mind. As if it happened yesterday…”. And instead, dear Chicco, next Tuesday we’ll be ten years old. Fuck, ten years.
