At Fortunati the derby between the Azzurri chasing the top and the late reds and whites Nisticò without the disqualified Noia, still problems in defense for mister Balestra
PAVIA
Three important points at stake in the Pavia-Accademia derby this afternoon at Fortunati (3.30 pm, closed doors): the Azzurri are looking for victory to continue their climb to the top of the standings, the red and white to redeem an uphill start to the championship
Almost full blues
Pavia and Accademia have already faced each other last autumn in the Italian Cup: in Sant’Alessio, he finished 4-3 for the Azzurri at the end of 90 ‘full of goals and emotions. Today Pavia wants to play a leading role in group B of Excellence and to do so they look for the third consecutive victory that will keep them in the highest areas of the standings, waiting for the result of today’s clash between the first two, Varzi and Alcione. At Fortunati, Mr. Nisticò must renounce Mattia Noia, who serves a round of disqualification for recidivism in yellow cards. The blue midfielder, adapted in the last two games as an external defender, will leave his place in the three of the rear department to the returning Villanova who should form the three-way defensive line with Grillo and Procida. A couple of doubts in midfield, one of which is related to Feola’s condition who came out with a muscle problem at San Colombano would seem to have recovered (all called up, except Noia, the Azzurri players and someone will have to sit in the stands). Nisticò will evaluate whether to deploy him from 1 ‘or choose another under that could be Colombo but at that point from 3-5-2 he would move to 3-4-3. In the middle of the field as play the blue coach alternated Corio and Celestri, the latter employed in the last two games could be reconfirmed. The surprise could be to see again Ottonello on the bench, who in recent weeks has recovered from physical problems, an extra man of experience in the middle of the field in the season finale.
Remodeled Academy
Eugenio out due to injury as well as Edo Maggi and Di Gennaro are still out. This means that Mazzocca will still be at the center of the defense and will miss the captain’s proactive foot in the middle of the field. And above all, it means that it will be a decidedly remodeled Academy to face Pavia today in the derby, even if there is the desire to score points and unpin that penultimate place in the standings to which it is forced after only one victory and three defeats. Mister Balestra spoke to the boys during the week. «Certainly having passed from a very positive situation in the championship then suspended to this more problematic one created a certain discouragement in them – he explains – but we are sportsmen and therefore a response on the field is necessary, both for ourselves and for the club. I sincerely hope there is ». Balestra admits that he considers Pavia a strong team like Sant’Angelo, which he considers the best team he has faced so far. “We know that it will not be easy to take points away from Fortunati, but we will try and hope to respond on the pitch and not just in words this time.”
Even if there is no fear of relegation, the Academy is very keen to do well and also to launch its most interesting youngsters.
Enrico Venni
Daniela Scherrer