Derby di Calabria: Part 2

Reggina and Crotone meet once again in the second installment of the season of this local derby. The previous match was the season opener for both sides, and it ended in an uneventful 0-0 draw. This time around, both teams have found their stride, with Crotone resting comfortably in the middle of the table and Reggina on the periphery of the playoff zone. Our recent sluggish form has erased a great start to the season, and we find ourselves steadily dropping points week after week. While Crotone is trying to erase a slower start to the season, they haven’t lost in their last three.

The team has been undergoing some changes in recent days, nothing major yet, but more players could be on the move as we enter the second half on January. The two signings that have been made official are veteran goalkeeper Giancarlo Petrocco and young right back Alessandro Bernardi. Meanwhile, it was announced today that Ousmane Sy joins Pietro Marino, Dani Verrusci, and Antonio Rizzo in the list of depatures. Sy is off to Taranto, in the form of a loan with the right of repdemption. He has struggled in his limited playing time, so I hope he finds his stride once again in the Lega Pro.

Meanwhile, Reggina are still in search of a striker who can alternate with Bonazzoli. The list of possible candidates has included Mattia Destro, Mirko Antenucci, Francesco Lodi, and even Nick Amoruso. But for now, we must make do with what we have. Some of our defenders are also being targeted, most notably Francesco Acerbi and Francesco Cosenza. Veteran defender (and free agent) Sebastiano Siviglia was working out with the team and could be signed if we lose a defender.

None of the new signings are going to be dressed up tomorrow. Atzori has announced the list of 19 that will make the short trip to Crotone:

Goalkeepers: Kovacsik, Puggioni
Defenders: Acerbi, Adejo, Burzigotti, Cosenza, Giosa
Midfielders: Castiglia, Colombo, Laverone, Missiroli, Rizzato, Rizzo, Tedesco, Viola;
Forwards: Adiyiah, Bonazzoli, Campagnacci, Zizzari.

Look for a return to the 3-5-2/5-3-2 that we have seen frequently this season. Atzori has recently experimented with a 4-3-3, but is going back to basics for the derby tomorrow. Crotone, however, will field a 4-3-3 themselves.

I’m going to predict a win, and I’m predicting that Bonazzoli will get his first goal of the new year. ;]

Category: Team News