Crotone and Pordenone, a challenge between great disappointments

The background is different, but both were aiming for a mid-table tournament instead find themselves in the penultimate place after changing coaches twice.

PORDENONE. The background and the stories of the two clubs are different: the first is a consolidated reality of Serie B, with three appearances in A, from which it was relegated last season. The second, among the cadets, only arrived in 2019 after a hundred years of history. One aspect is common: the fact that both have so far performed below expectations.

There is no doubt that tomorrow’s match between Crotone and Pordenone is a challenge between disappointed (the start at 2 pm). Both are in the penultimate place with 8 points and both expected to be at least in the middle of the table. Instead they had to roll up their sleeves, realizing immediately that it was necessary to fight in order not to retreat. The play-outs are eight points for both of them, who have already changed coaches twice.

The neroverdi put three different technicians on their bench: Massimo Paci, Massimo Rastelli and Bruno Tedino, the latter currently in the saddle.

The rossoblù instead started the tournament with Francesco Modesto from Crotone, then focused on the former Udinese Pasquale Marino and finally opted for the return of Modesto, who made his debut for the second time a few days ago in Friuli with Udinese in the round of 32. cup Italy.

The former side of Reggina and Parma has perhaps a harder job in front of him than Bruno Tedino is doing: the group, in the league, comes from five defeats in a row and the latest result dates back to last 7 November , that is the 1-1 draw at home with Monza.

Pordenone is better, given that in the last five games they have forfeited four points, but they certainly are not experiencing an extraordinary period.

Given the conditions, tomorrow’s Scida match will be full of fear, at least the beginning. Whoever leaves the field defeated can suffer a devastating psychological backlash, not only because the distance from the play-outs can increase compared to the current lengths.

You can be overtaken by Vicenza – which still plays at home with Lecce, it must be said – and return to last place, but also to ascertain an obvious fact: if you are unable to win a direct match, with whom you are able to conquer the success? And with what mentality do you then go to face the second round, which starts already on December 29th after the Santo Stefano round? Questions and doubts intertwine before this match, which only a year and a half ago was worth a slice of promotion to Serie A.

In July 2020, in fact, the then second Crotone hosted Pordenone third six points behind the Calabrians. Stroppa’s players won, making the definitive leap towards the return to the top league. The lizards thus concentrated on the play-offs, which ended with the knockout in the semifinal with Frosinone. Now another reality, more bitter, tougher. Certainly unexpected.