Disturbing. This is the current situation of Foggia, which in the event of Monopoli’s success against Catania would officially be in the playout zone. Disturbing, like the defeat at home to a team (Virtus Francavilla) that hadn’t won for two months and which practically never went beyond their own half in the second half. Nonetheless, the Rossoneri were unable to take away even a single point. Disturbing, like the post-match declarations of the general director Milillo, who said he was confident for the good second half, underlining the importance of the four incoming shots (but ignoring the eight outgoing movements) and suggesting that there will be no other big shocks. All at the end of a match in which Foggia showed up with Vezzoni as a winger in attack, and a bench full of kids, plus two little-used unders, plus Idrissou and Antonacci (a striker with obvious technical limitations and a full-back from series D), to whom Cicioni had to rely in the final minutes. Confidence in a squad short on quality, but also on men, in the hope that the muscular problems suffered by Di Noia and Carillo are minor matters. Like trying to warm the tallest man in the world with a baby blanket. Reality, however, suggests something else. For example, at least one graft per department, and a quality one. Because the wicked choices of the last winter transfer market – when the squad was heavily reduced – cost us a playoff final (net of the bizarre refereeing decisions); the same modus operandi, this time, could cost you professionalism.
VIRTUS FRANCAVILLA (3-5-2) Branduani 7; Dutu 6; Molnar 6.5 Monteagudo 6; Carella 5.5 (30’st De Marino 6) Macca 6 (15’st Garofalo 6) Risolo 6 Di Marco 6.5 Ingrosso 6.5 (39’st Gasbarro sv); Artistic 7 Polidori 6. Available: Carretta, Lucatelli, Agostinelli, Nicoli, Serio, Vapore, Cardoselli, Fekete, Giovinco. Coach: Occhiuzzi 6.5
FOGGIA (4-3-3) Perina 6.5; Salines 5 Riccardi 6 Carillo 5 (25’st Papazov 6) Rizzo 6; Tascone 6.5 Di Noia 6 (1’st Odjer 6) Martini 5 (44’st Idrissou sv); Vezzoni 6 (44’st Antonacci sv) Tonin 6 Millico 6.5. Available: Nobile, Castaldi, Pazienza, Agnelli, Fiorini, Rossi, Brancato. Coach: Cicioni (Cudini disqualified) 5.5
Referee: 6 more
Assistants: Lipari 6 – Dishes 6
Perina 6.5 – A couple of excellent finishes in the first half. A resumption of yawns and hopes will follow.
Salines 5 – The hope is that it will simply be a bad moment, after a first-class first round. But he conveys the feeling that as a full-back he has more difficulty both in attacking and defending. Virtus’ most important chances (goal included) come from in front of him, and he is always out of position.
Riccardi 6 – He stays out of trouble, actually showing a bit more confidence. He closes as a defensive leader, when Carillo’s (it seems) adductor triggers the alarm.
Carillo 5 – The muscle problem prematurely ended a match tainted by the goal that Artistico scored by incinerating it at the time. Too bad (25’st Papazov 6 – Just under half an hour of calm, also because Francavilla have totally given up on attacking).
Rizzo 6 – He puts aside the anguish of a week ago and finds a modicum of serenity. He would even score an assist at the start, but Branduani is super on Vezzoni’s header.
Tascone 6.5 – Conveys the not at all encouraging impression of preaching in the desert. He tries to take control of the midfield and the team, rising to the role of all-rounder and more. He challenges Branduani a minute before Artistico’s goal. Even in the final forcing it is the one that has the cables for starting a battery which however is too discharged.
Di Noia 6 – Returns from the punishment given to Giugliano. He acts as a playmaker, trying to do simple things. He has to limit himself further when the muscle pulls on him (1’st Odjer 6 – He would have been leaving for weeks, but when you put him on the field he does his thing. He moves a lot, even more than usual, often looking for the conclusion and even the ‘assist from the flanks).
Martini 5 – Poor quality, no insertions. Even in interdiction he is extremely light (44’st Idrissou sv – Ready to go, he chases an opponent and sinks him. Yellow. Maybe he will become one (we hope so for him), but currently he doesn’t seem like a Serie C player at all. And let’s not go any further in the judgment).
Vezzoni 6 – He is suited to being a winger in attack, because that is the squad and there are no alternatives. He could determine immediately, with a great insertion and an equally beautiful header, but Branduani tells him no. He tries in every way to make his presence felt in the area, and somehow he even succeeds. But a team that wants to score goals would need real attackers, not an adapted fifth-back (44’st Antonacci sv).
Tonin 6 – Sufficient for the generosity and the good play that leads him to the shot (and Branduani to the save). In the first half he was practically invisible, apart from a ricotta-shaped shot that barely reached Branduani’s hands.
Millico 6.5 – Sometimes he exaggerates with quibbles, but without a companion who speaks the same language as him, it becomes difficult not to rely on solipsisms. However, he is the most dangerous man on whom Virtus focuses the most attention.
Cicioni (Cudini disqualified) 5.5 – Blaming the coach at this moment means having a slightly altered vision of reality. The team is in disarray mentally (although the reaction in the second half would have deserved a softer epilogue), but above all they are poor technically. Let’s hope (as we hope) that Milillo’s declarations are not confirmed by reality. Because the team needs additions. Many. Quality. And immediately. Not something.