Coppa Italia, it’s Paulo Sousa’s Salernitana’s turn: Ternana arrives at the Arechi. Palladino’s Monza is also on the field: predictions.
The Coppa Italia is certainly not the primary goal of Salernitana, which in the season about to begin will first have to try to bring home another quiet salvation, along the lines of last year’s.
But the cup match with Ternana, a team that plays in the cadetteria, will say a lot about the state of form of the granata, who will make their league debut next weekend at the Stadio Olimpico against Roma. The market has not yet taken off, but Campania fans can count on the confirmations of Paulo Sousa, who has remained in Campania despite the advances (real or alleged) of some of the more emblazoned clubs, but especially that of striker Dia, who in the past was one of the added values of the team coached by the Portuguese coach.
The Senegalese is recovering from an injury and will not be of the match with the Umbrians, with Sousa also having to do without Mazzocchi and Bohinen. In any case, it will be a competitive eleven that will take the field at the Arechi. Salernitana has also performed well in the preseason friendlies, scoring three wins out of four – the most important success being against Augsburg – and drawing 1-1 with Frosinone. After corporate turmoil and a salvation that came in the photo finish, Ternana is restarting with Cristiano Lucarelli, the coach who brought the Fere back to Serie B between seasons ago. The Livorno coach is waiting for the right reinforcements and does not seem able to get a positive result in Salerno, in a challenge in which the total goals should be at least three.
Coppa Italia, Monza against Nesta’s Reggiana
The only Serie A team that will play away in these 32nds of the Coppa Italia is Sassuolo. The neroverdi were supposed to play their match with Cosenza at the Mapei Stadium but have requested a change of venue due to the modernization works that are affecting their facility.
Pessina
The fact that they can count on the support of their audience (which is expected to be large) gives the Wolves a few more chances. The enthusiasm in Calabria can still be touched after the unhoped-for salvation, achieved for the second year in a row at the playout. And it cannot be ruled out that Fabio Caserta’s men can score at least one goal against the neroverdi. First official match also for Lecce. The Salentini, this year led by Roberto D’Aversa, host Como at the “Via del Mare” in another match that promises goals. Closing the day’s program is the match between Monza and Reggiana. The Brianzoli are coming off a fantastic championship and the goal is to raise the bar even higher. They have won all the friendlies played except the one with Milan in the Berlusconi Trophy, which the Rossoneri won on penalty kicks. An within reach (and potentially prolific) victory against the Emiliani, who have just returned to Serie B and are coached by former Lazio and Milan defender Alessandro Nesta.
Possible winners
- Salernitana (in Salernitana-Ternana, 5:45 p.m.)
- Sassuolo (in Cosenza-Sassuolo, 6 p.m.)
Coppa Italia, matches with at least one goal on each side
- Cosenza-Sassuolo, 6 p.m.
- Lecce-Como, 9:00 p.m.
