Carrarese commits harakiri in Cosenza. A mistake costs the fifth defeat in a row

Cosenza, February 8, 2025 – The Carrarese hurts itself at “San Vito- Gigi Marulla” by taking the fifth consecutive defeat. The winning goal for the Calabrians came, in fact, on a “blunder” by Illanes who deflected into his own net a harmless header from a corner by Hristov, making it lethal for Fiorillo who covered the ball and made an easy save impossible.

This negative episode was enough to channel a match played on edge, with a lot of animosity but little construction, and consequently very few scoring opportunities. Calabro changes four compared to Brescia, relaunching the recovered Guarino in the center of defense and giving Zanon a breather on the right to benefit Bouah. Up front the offensive pairing varies, also due to Shpendi's injury, with Cherubini paired with Finotto.

The importance of the stakes in the first half is felt. The game does not take off, interrupted by continuous fouls. The first thrill comes in the 23rd minute from a bad back pass by Hristov. Cherubini anticipates the goalkeeper but the cross shot into an empty net is harmless. Cosenza responds with a low right-footed shot by Mazzocchi easy prey for Fiorillo. In the 28th minute a header from Bouah makes life difficult for his goalkeeper who parries a dive with Imperiale who then clears. In the final minutes Carrarese fails to take advantage of two potentially dangerous actions in the area with Bouah and Finotto but overall very little happens.

Even better in the second half the Carrarese who almost scored in the 65th minute with Manzari who missed the target on the fly from Finotto's cross. In the 69th minute the unthinkable and irreparable happened. Illanes' unfortunate deflection sent Carrarese down who struggled to get back in the game against a Cosenza that was only concerned with not letting them play. In the 96th minute they managed to get an opportunity to equalise but Giovane's left-footed shot into the area was thwarted by Micai's dive.

COSENZA-CARRARESE 1-0, THE SCOREBOARD

COSENZA (3-5-2): Micai; Hristov, Caporale, Dalle Mura; Cimino (85' Ricci), Kourfalidis (56' Kouan), Gargiulo, Charlys, Ricciardi (94' Venturi); Mazzocchi (85' Sgarbi), Zilli (56' Artistico). Substitutes Vettorel, Baldi, Martino, Ciervo, Contiero, Fumagalli, Novello. Coach Alvini.

CARRARESE (3-4-2-1): Fiorillo; Illanes, Guarino (73' Zanon), Imperiale; Bouah, Schiavi (73' Zuelli); Finotto. Subs: Ravaglia, Mazzi, Oliana, Fontanarosa, Milanese, Capezzi, Cerri. Coach: Calabro.

Referee: Perri of Rome 1; assistants Perrotti of Campobasso and Pascarella of Nocera Inferiore; fourth official Rispoli of Locri; Var Miele of Nola; Avar Pezzuto of Lecce.

Goalscorers: 69' Hristov (C).

Notes: spectators 3734; corners 6-6; yellow cards Guarino, Mazzocchi, Caporale, Torregrossa; added time 1' and 7'.

Gianluca Bondielli