Coppa Italia, the highlight of Saturday’s matches is undoubtedly the derby of the islands between Cagliari and Palermo: news and predictions.
Before Serie A takes the stage once and for all – Italy’s top league will start again in a week – it’s the Coppa Italia that’s the talk of the town. These days the 32nd finals are being played, featuring teams from A, B and C.
These are dry matches: in the event of a draw after the ninety minutes of regulation time, there will be extra time and possibly penalties. For many clubs, it is a last chance to break in the mechanisms ahead of the debut in their respective league. Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari, which returned to the top flight after only one year of purgatory at the end of an incredible ride in the playoffs that ended with Pavoletti’s decisive goal in full recovery in the final return match against Bari at the San Nicola, will take advantage of it. A promotion that was unhoped for the way things had turned out, further cementing the bond between the Roman coach and the piazza, as Ranieri’s coaching career began in Sardinia with two promotions in a row. The Rossoblù are preparing for their debut against Torino and have a quiet salvation in their sights. The squad has not been overhauled but shored up with category elements such as Augello, Shomurodov and Jankto. In short, the raw material to achieve the goal is there. However, the added value seems to be precisely Ranieri’s experience.
In any case, it will be a probing test the one with Palermo, which after missing the playoffs last season is dreaming big: the Sicilians are aiming at direct promotion and in this market session they are sparing no expense. Eugenio Corini’s Rosanero are not favored at the Unipol Domus but should be able to score at least one goal.
Coppa Italia, everything easy for Empoli and Verona?
Another Serie A team committed as early as the 32nds of the cup is Paolo Zanetti’s Empoli, fresh off international tests with Heidenheim, Lille and Freiburg.
Caputo
The Tuscans have not disfigured at all – defeats with the two Germans and victory with the French – confirming the excellent work of the former Venice coach. The challenge with Cittadella, whose goal is yet another quiet salvation in the cadetteria, should not conceal too many pitfalls.
Also intriguing is the match between two possible protagonists of the last B championship, Bari and Parma. The pugliesi want to forget the excruciating disappointment of the playoff defeat to Cagliari, a team that also eliminated the ducali in the previous round. The field factor should reward De Laurentiis’ club, but a balanced match looms, in which both are likely to score. Finally, Verona, which will host Ascoli at the “Bentegodi” stadium, starts favored – and not only because of the difference category. The Scaligeri come from the salvation grabbed in extremis in the play-off with Spezia and have relied on former Lecce Marco Baroni, while the ambitious Marche players have enlisted William Viali, last year able to miraculously bring Cosenza to safety.
Possible winners
- Empoli (in Empoli-Cittadella, 5:45 p.m.)
- Verona (in Verona-Ascoli, 9 p.m.)
Coppa Italia, matches with at least one goal on each side
- Bari-Parma, 6 p.m.
- Cagliari-Palermo, 9:15 p.m.