For Pro Vercelli, today’s challenge against Piacenza at 2.30 pm at the Garilli stadium is a challenge to be taken with a grain of salt. The Emilians, who are less than five from the whites, have had mixed results: only in the last two days have they been able to knock out leaders Südtirol, who has lost only once, and then draw goalless against Giana. The white coach Franco Lerda knows that today’s challenge will not be easy: «I expect a solid opponent, with important technical and athletic values - says the Pro coach -. Especially in the advanced department. Piacenza is close to us in the standings, aiming to consolidate an important place in the playoffs in the standings. A few weeks ago he beat Südtirol: he has experienced and quality players in the middle of the field. They are a well-built team: we will have to do a great performance to be able to think about giving continuity to our results ». The Pro is back from five consecutive useful results.
However, the statistics say that Pro Vercelli has always struggled against the former Scazzola. So also in the first leg when Piacenza won against Piola 3-1. «I look little at the statistics – says Lerda -. Fortunately, the players are on the pitch and not the numbers. I’ve never faced Scazzola in my career, but I followed him a lot, when he was in Cuneo, and I followed his training methods ». Today Lerda finds Masi and Auriletto who have served the disqualification, but he still has to give up Bunino and Belardinelli: «Bunino has not yet recovered and will not be among the squads, just like Belardinelli. In addition to Guindo, who we have not yet seen, the others are available. Having more players is important, because we get to the end of a path in the best possible way. The goal is to have everyone in good condition and arrive well at the end of the championship. There are eight games left, we always have to do our best. With a large squad, we have more possibilities of choices ».
The Pro in the last period has collected heavy results: the result of the state of good form of those present and a great feeling between the players. «We are a united group. This is an added value: if there are results and there is also a solid group at the base, so much the better. They are not two things that always go hand in hand, but certainly having both factors in a locker room helps a lot ». Today’s is the first of three games in seven days. After today’s match, the lions are expected on Wednesday at 18 from the internal match at Piola against Albinoleffe, then next Sunday, with the match anticipated at 14.30, from the away match in Legnago. «A new tour de force begins, with three games in one week. Let’s start and think about doing this match well, then from Sunday evening we’ll think about AlbinoLeffe ».
Training
Coach Franco Lerda today can count on Alberto Masi and Simone Auriletto: the two players are back in the group after having served the suspension for the sum of yellow cards last day. The white coach, who will still trust Matteo Rizzo, born in 2004, between the posts, should be entrusted to Masi and Auriletto in the rear, with one between Minelli and Macchioni. Cristini could start from the bench, given that the Pro is expected to have three matches in seven days. In the median in directing tandem forced: Emmanuello-Vitale, since Belardinelli is out due to a physical problem. There is also the very young Louati, who always responded present when called upon.
Even on the flanks Lerda will measure up, given that the commitments are tight: Bruzzaniti and Crialese could start from the first minute, without excluding Iezzi and Gatto, provided that the latter is not used in attack alongside Comi and Della Morte on pole for leave holders. On the bench there are also Rolando and Panico, ready to enter the game in progress. Piacenza is filled with ex-players, among which Castiglia and Tintori stand out, as well as Raicevic and Cosenza, but he can instead count on Cesarini’s return to the offensive department, who served the double round of disqualification. Raicevic, who has recovered from injury, will start from the bench. The only doubt is related to Dubickas: he has been called up but complains of a sprained ankle. He will hardly be deployed on the field. The match will be broadcast on Elevensport but also on Sky Sport on channel 252.
The day
Lecco capitulated in Verona, against Virtus, in the advance of the 31st day of group A of Lega Pro. network in the second half with Danti. Veneti who have brought themselves so close to the playoff area. Today all the other teams take the field: the leaders are expected from the away match against Juve Under 23, who have not lost in six rounds. Padova, deputy leaders, are on the scene away from Albinoleffe. The players from Padua have to deal with various injuries: Ilie Matei, Massimiliano Busellato, Saber Hraiech and Andrea Gasbarro are out. And Carlo Pelagatti and Felipe Curcio also entered the infirmary, who came out prematurely during the match against FeralpiSalò last day. The experts watch with curiosity the match between Feralpi, (third in the class and fresh from the knockout against Padua) and Triestina (fifth, beaten by Renate last Sunday). Both seek redemption. Renate, fourth force in the group, goes to visit Legnago, last in the standings arm in arm with Giana and Seregno and in search of salvation points. Mantua seeks redemption against Fiorenzuola. Challenge in key salvation between Pro Patria and Giana and Pro Sesto-Seregno. La Pergolettese hosts Trento.
The ranking: Sudtirol 73, Padova 66, Feralpi 55, Renate 54, Triestina and Lecco 47, Juve U23 46, Pro Vercelli 44, Piacenza 39, Albinoleffe 37, Virtus Verona 35, Mantova 34, Fiorenzuola 33, Trento 31, Pro Sesto and Pro Patria 29, Pergolettese 28, Seregno Giana and Legnago 26.