Spal, nightmare start: 14 goals conceded, 0 scored. A statistic that nails the white and blues

Among the various horror statistics of the Spal 2024-25 there is one that is shocking. In the last 11 first halves, the team led first by Dossena and then by Baldini has conceded 14 goals, but above all has not scored a single goal! A sensational statistic, which removes any doubt about the fact that there is a mental problem of no small importance linked to the approach to the match and the ability to play it from the kick-off, without having to wait to go one or two goals down to start churning out play and opportunities. Since the dawn of this unfortunate season, the white and blues have not been able to stay on top of things for 90 minutes, taking long breaks during the games.

However, first-half anxiety has become a particularly serious problem in the last two months, so much so that the last goal (scored by Rao) scored by Spal before half-time dates back to January 18 at home against Sestri Levante. Since then, Antenucci and his teammates have strung together a streak of 11 first-half games in a row without scoring and with many games already compromised in the first 45 minutes. In Carpi, the goal by former player Contiliano came midway through the first half, and Spal has not been able to react.

The following week, Milan Futuro broke the deadlock a handful before half-time, directing the match at the Mazza stadium that would have cost mister Dossena his job. It is with Baldini, however, that this trend was verified to the nth degree, starting from the away match in Chiavari where the league leaders Virtus Entella closed the accounts with a deadly one-two in the first eight minutes. That's not all, because Rimini scored the first of three goals inflicted on the white and blues in the first half, while Campobasso ended the first half ahead by two goals. Even when Spal provided decent performances like in Pescara and Piancastagnaio, in the first halves only crumbs were collected (Delfino was ahead 1-0 and in Tuscany the score was 0-0).

The rest is recent history: Ternana scored with Cicerelli in the 3rd minute, while Pineto found themselves 2-0 up in the 18th minute. Legnago Salus took 37 minutes to pierce Meneghetti, but the result did not change: Spal was still nowhere to be found before half-time. Those fighting to avoid relegation cannot afford to give away a half every game, and at this rate there is a risk of not even getting to the play-offs.

Stefano Manfredini