Those who just four days ago had turned up their noses at the idea that someone was thinking of Cosenza fighting to access the playoffs must inexorably change their minds. The Wolves win their third consecutive match in Ascoli and they move just outside the area that would give access to the promotion play-offs. An incredible scenario if you think that no later than 15 days ago the Wolves risked relegation. There’s no point in talking about salvation anymore: there’s just 180 minutes to go.
At Del Duca the signature is the usual Gennaro Tutino who is proving to be mature enough to express himself on a stable basis in Serie A. He has taken the team by the hand and is leading them match after match. The character of the locker room came out again today, in a real sporting battle where every single player demonstrated full awareness of their abilities.
One pole on each side
Viali confirms the 3-5-2 with Antonucci as midfielder, but there are four new lineups. Marson plays in goal in place of the suspended Micai, in defense there is Fontanarosa, in midfield Voca and not Zuccon and in attack Forte is back alongside Tutino. The Marche players position Caligara behind Duris and Nestorovski and propose the former Vaisanen in the back pack.
Carrera gives the order to his men to attack with cold weapons from the first minutes and so it actually happens. The home team had a penalty revoked due to VAR intervention and they call the Calabrian goalkeeper into intervention on a corner kick. It’s raining cats and dogs, the pitch is slippery and tempers quickly heat up. We fight ball for ball: the stakes are very high. In the 17th minute Zedadka hits the post, heading home a cross from Falzerano, but on the other side Camporese (25′) also hits the woodwork after a poisonous free kick from Calò.
Tutino, Eurogol worth its weight in gold
Galvanized by the dangerous action, Cosenza takes measures at Ascoli and limits the Bianconeri’s raids. Forte misses the target, anticipating Botteghin’s header (35′), but it’s the dress rehearsal for the opening goal. D’Orazio breaks through on the left and instead of crossing he serves Tutino stationed at the edge of the area. The street urchin Neapolitan triggers a right-footed shot to the far post and swells the net: his 17th goal of the season, the fifth in a row, is a feat.
In the second half Caligara tries to shake up his teammates, but the attacks of Carrera’s men are sterile. The coach changes the offensive pair by throwing Rodriguez and Tarantino into the fray in an attempt to stir things up. Viali gives the order to exploit the restarts with his sprinters. On one of these Vasquez keeps Ascoli standing with a great save on Mazzocchi, who in the meantime has replaced Forte. One last thrill in the 40th minute when Piccinni from Forlì points to the spot again in favor of the Marche players. The VAR freezes the home crowd for a second time and ignites the dreams of the Calabrians.
The Ascoli-Cosenza scoreboard
LISTENINGS (3-4-1-2): Vasquez; Vaisanen (37′ Streng), Box office, Mantovani; Falzerano (37′ Celia), Masini, Di Tacchio, Zedadka; Caligara (30′ st D’Uffizi); Duris (15′ st Tarantino), Nestorovski (15′ st Rodriguez). Available: Viviano, Quaranta, Tavcar, Adjapong, Valzania, Giovane, Milanese. All.: Carrera
COSENZA (3-5-2): Marson; Meroni, Camporese, Fontanarosa; Marras, Voca (23′ st Zuccon), Calò, Antonucci (44′ st Cimino), D’Orazio (23′ st Frabotta); Tutino (35′ st Canotto), Forte (23′ st Mazzocchi). Available: Lai, Castelnuovo, Gyamfi, Florenzi, Viviani, Praszelik, Crespi. All.: Avenues
REFEREE: Piccinni of Forlì
MARKERS: 42′ pt Tutino (C)
NOTE: Spectators 8073 with 186 Cosenza fans. Total revenue of 80,218.90 euros (subscriber fee included). Booked: Vaisanen (A), Falzerano (A), Mantovani (A) Calò (C), Di Tacchio (A), Camporese (C), Zuccon (C), Fontanarosa (C), Meroni (C). Corners: 10-3 for Ascoli. Recovery time: 2′ st – 8′ st
