Spal-Pontedera: Imperative Victory to Hope for the Playoffs

Positive or at least encouraging performances without the three points are no longer of any use. With three days to go, time is largely up: with Pontedera we must win, without ifs or buts. Finding a success that has been missing at the Mazza stadium since last November 23rd with Torres, over four and a half months ago. That grenade led by Menichini is a healthy team, that wants to have the satisfaction of arriving in the zone playoff after having fought for a long time to get out of the quicksand. Pontedera is coming off two victories and scores a lot (the Spal knows something about it, having conceded five in the first leg), but suffers just as much. With 50 goals scored, the Tuscans have the third best attack in the championship, however they concede a lot and the white and blues have the duty to take advantage of it.

Mister Baldini is aware of the importance of the match, which Spal arrives at after two draws that left a bitter taste in the mouth because with a little more concreteness they could have been victories and therefore precious points for a ranking that remains dramatic. Despite everything, with a victory over Pontedera the white and blues would catch up - albeit temporarily - with Lucchese at 33 points, putting pressure on Gorgone's team and on Milan Futuro. Spal has repeatedly thrown away opportunities during the season, but we must force ourselves to be optimistic and give another chance to Antenucci and his teammates. In all likelihood the Massa coach will play again with the 3-4-3 proposed in Sassari, even if some interpreters could change. For example, there is curiosity about Nador's position: will he return to the center of defense or will he be confirmed in midfield, perhaps paired with the returning Radrezza? In the first case Bruscagin would end up on the bench and Awua would play in the midfield, while in the second hypothesis the rearguard that muzzled the Torres strikers would be confirmed. Another unknown is represented by the right wing of the trident: Spini could play again, or Parigini with the insertion of Rao on the left. But D'Orazio is also in the running for a shirt, who could make the difference on set pieces. Mister Baldini carefully studies the pros and cons of each choice, because it is still early for the playouts but the points are starting to weigh heavily.

Stefano Manfredini