The memory of the last time at “San Vito” is something that still burns: heat that warms the hearts of the Giallorossi fans, an open and bleeding wound for the Rossoblu fans. Almost nine months have passed since that afternoon in March; Catanzaro and Cosenza have seen time pass in recent months, they concluded that tournament, bypassed the summer, and began the present one with the best intentions, arriving here some gnashing their teeth, some showing off a dirty smile. Tomorrow, on Boxing Day – kick-off at 3pm – they will once again be facing each other, as they have always been at the back since the ball started rolling on the green pitches.
The spotlight of Boxing Day 2024 will be all for them: for those seeking redemption – Cosenza but partly also Caserta – and for those who want to assert their law this time too – Iemmello and consequently the entire Eagles environment. It's better not to talk about the setting: the thought of an empty guest sector due to an imposed order and home bleachers not as full as they should be due to short-sighted decisions and late backtracking is too bad. It will be the discordant note of this twenty-ninth Calabria derby in the rossoblu home: the flaw that was not needed in a masterpiece that had to be “played”.
HERE YELLOW-RED – The eagles have studied their score thoroughly in the few days available between Spezia and Christmas and are preparing to perform it on stage, strengthened by a complete group, a clearer identity and an enthusiasm significantly strengthened by the last brilliant rounds. Caserta has also recovered Pompetti and Coulibaly: the former will go on the pitch and form the usual control room together with Petriccione and Pompetti, while the latter will sit on the bench; there would seem to be no doubts in the initial 3-5-2 with Cassandro and Compagnon favored for the external lanes, Biasci more than Buso to support captain Iemmello.
REDBLUE HERE – On the banks of the Crati, however, the days passed by in an attempt to make some corrections to the standard score which, due to some significant absence, could not be used. Florenzi's disqualification takes away a good percentage of quality in the maneuver from the rossoblu; Camporese and Gyamfi are also out but Alvini will at least be able to count on Kouan's return. Mazzocchi, Strizzolo are the suspects for the offensive department, Dalle Mura will command the defense, Charlys and Kourfallidis will duel in the middle.
NUMBERS – In terms of precedents, we will start again as mentioned from the zero-two of last March 3rd: from the goals of Iemmello and Biasci and the penalty missed by number twenty-eight which could have given even more rounded contours to the sensational guest blunder in the past tournament. Fourteen times the match ended in a draw, the Giallorossi won five, while the Rossoblu won nine; excluding the one in the Italian Cup – in October 2010, on penalties – the most recent in the championship dates back to April 1985 with the decisive goal in Aita. The match will be directed by Mr. Aureliano from Bologna – an old acquaintance of the Eagles for the 0-5 against Parma in September 2023 – who will be assisted by Scatragli and Galimberti; Angelillo will be the fourth official with Paterna and Muto at the var.
COSENZA (3-5-2): Micai; Sgarbi, Dalle Mura, Corporal; Ricciardi, Charlys, Kouan, Kourfallidis, D'Orazio; Mazzocchi, Strizzolo. All. Alvini.
CATANZARO (3-5-2): Pigliacelli; Brighenti, Scognamillo, Bonini; Cassandro, Pompetti, Petriccione, Pontisso, Compagnon; Iemmello, Biasci. All. Caserta.
