COSENZA – PERUGIA | Sunday 3pm
There is an air of salvation clash in the scorching – obviously not in terms of weather conditions – afternoon at the “Marulla”. Cosenza and Perugia are drowning in the depths of the classification and with great difficulty are trying to recover after having changed technical guide. The Calabrian club gave Davide Dionigi the boot a month ago: the former Reggina striker’s adventure on the banks of the Crati ended following the home defeat against Frosinone, the fourth in a row for the Lupi. In his place came William Viali, at his first experience in the cadetteria. With the former defender of Lecce and Fiorentina the team is having a hint of reaction: the debut in Pisa was not the best, but after the Tuscan debacle (3-1) Cosenza is back to score points, beating Palermo (3-2) and snatching a precious point in Cittadella (1-1).
If the championship ended today, the Rossoblù would be in the playout zone and currently have the same points (15) they had last year after the first fifteen days. An even more dramatic situation for the Umbrians, protagonists of a truly disappointing start. The situation seems to have changed since Fabrizio Castori returned to the bench, exonerated after the first few days to make way for Silvio Baldini. The coach who was responsible for Salernitana’s promotion to Serie A two years ago seems to have found a way to turn around a team that had started with other objectives. Prior to the break Perugia had drawn with Modena (1-1) but last Sunday they claimed their third win of the season, beating top-ranked Genoa 1-0 with a goal from Marco Olivieri.
Cosenza-Perugia: latest line-up news
Olivieri and Kouan
It will be 4-3-2-1 again for Viali, who compared to Cittadella in defence will find Vaisanen again, back available after commitments with the national team. In attack the coach should again choose Larrivey, supported by D’Urso and Merola. Florenzi, who was absent in the away match due to the flu, will not play this time. Two important absences for Castori, who will most likely have to do without the match winner from the Genoa game, Olivieri.
The Prediction
A difficult match to read, between two teams that did not start well but in the last two matches seem to have changed – albeit timidly – gear. It is certain that both Cosenza and Perugia will do everything possible to avoid a defeat that could be detrimental. A draw is not to be ruled out in a match in which both should score, as has happened in the last four matches at the ‘Marulla’.
The probable formations of Cosenza-Perugia
- COSENZA (4-3-2-1): Marson; Rispoli, Rigione, Vaisanen, Gozzi; Voca, Calò, Florenzi; D’Urso, Merola; Larrivey.
- PERUGIA (3-5-2): Gori; Sgarbi, Curado, Dell’Orco; Casasola, Santoro, Bartolomei, Kouan, Paz; Strizzolo, Di Carmine.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
