Spal-Pisa: the probable formations
All away, despite the holiday. For Boxing Day, the trip out of town will bring many Nerazzurri fans to Ferrara, to coincide with the last day of the first leg of the cadet championship. Monday 26th December (at 3 pm), 1,500 supporters find room at the Mazza, ready to incite their favorites to breakneck speed and push them to conquer the second consecutive victory and the fourteenth useful result in the series.
Conviction and enthusiasm
The team has found its balance and at times seems to travel on autopilot. One step further back when the opponents try to scratch the defensive bunker, two steps forward when there is a need to trigger the guns on the offensive trocar. Pisa occupies the field, interprets the matches and manages the ball like a great team on Monday and next in Ferrara they will try to win another three points which would allow the whole environment to spend exceptional festivities in terms of enthusiasm.
The last place in the standings at the end of September seems to belong to another championship, since the atmosphere inside the locker room and around the team has changed. This is demonstrated by the exceptional response of the Pisan supporters, who will not fail to make their warmth felt even on a day traditionally dedicated to the family. Against Spal Beruatto will return on the left-handed lane, with the rest of the defense that shouldn’t undergo changes compared to the victory against Brescia (Livieri in goal included).
Also in the middle of the field the trio composed by Marin, Nagy and Toure it shouldn’t be changed, while the biggest doubts are condensed on the offensive department. No problem of disqualifications or injuries, on the contrary: the question is precisely theabundance and the excellent state of form of all the elements available to Luca D’Angelo. Gliozzi, reduced by the brace against the Rondinelle, is practically certain of the confirmation. Torregrossa also showed glimpses of pure class in the last game, like Morutan behind them. But also the various Matteo Tramoni, Sibilli and Masucci are pawing and it won’t be easy to keep them out of the 1′.
The referee and the curiosities of the match
He directs Alexander Prontera from Bologna. Pisa is the second most refereed team in their career, but the Nerazzurri with the Emilian whistle aren’t having much luck. In 9 previous matches, in fact, the only victory came last March against Cremonese (3-0): the other matches brought just 2 draws and 6 defeats, the last of which in the playoff semi-final first leg of the last May in Benevento (1-0 for the Samnites).
The Nerazzurri arrive at the match on the strength of thirteen positive results in series and of best attack of the cadetteria: 29 goals have already been scored. Furthermore, in the last four games, Barba and his companions have not conceded any goals to their opponents. There is however from improve external performance: in 9 away games, Sporting Cliub has achieved just one win, 6 draws and 2 defeats. Spal, on the other hand, is reduced by the good success in the derby at Parma’s home: a 0-1 which was worth the first sharp away from Mazza. Versus 20 points the Este team led by Daniele De Rossi are just outside the playout area: they haven’t won at home since 22 October, the day of the former Roma captain’s debut, against Cosenza (5-0).
The two teams face each other in Emilia for the twenty-ninth time in history: the overall balance shows 8 victories for Pisa, 14 defeats and 6 draws. In the last match, played on 22 January, the match ended 0-0. Pisa hasn’t won at the Mazza since 23 November 2015, in Serie C: the nerazzurri prevailed 2-1 in a comeback.
Probable lineups
Spal (3-4-2-1): Alfonso; Peda, Varnier, Meccariello; Dickmann, Zanellato, Murgia, Tripaldelli; Valzania, Maistro; The Manzia. Everyone. Di Rossi
Pisa (4-3-2-1): Livieri; Calabresi, Hermannsson, Barba, Beruatto; Tourè, Nagy, Marin; Morutan, Tramoni M.; Glizzi. Everyone. D’Angelo