The fifth. They are not the books finalists for the Premio Strega, nor the Oscar nominations: it is more simply the number of teams from which Catanzaro’s opponent in the first round of the playoffs will emerge. Avellino, Cesena, Mantova, Carrarese and Sampdoria are in strict order of advantage, because not all of them have the same chances of getting a ticket for the “Ceravolo” next Tuesday. There is no need to be afraid of any of them and not only for the home advantage and the chance to move forward even with a draw (after extra time).
The first three are tied on 46 points and the Irpinia team are currently in pole position considering the points in the ranking separate from the other two. Ballardini’s team would be the Eagles’ challenger today, it is not certain that they will be after the last 90′ of the championship even if welcoming Modena at home, confident of sixth position, is not out of the question. It’s certainly not the same as facing Frosinone away, who need a point for direct promotion, as Mantua is up against. If a three-way tie would reward the Campania team, in the event of an equal finish between them and only Cesena, who awaits an already safe Padova in Romagna, would send the Bianconeri ahead: they have a better goal difference in head-to-head matches. If Mantua and Cesena were arm in arm, then the Lombards would return to Catanzaro, as opposed to a head-to-head between Mantua and Avellino which would smile on the latter. There are many clashes, but against all three the Giallorossi have always won at the “Ceravolo”.
Sampdoria and Carrarese are underdogs because they have two points less in the standings, but they should not be left out yet. The first is expected at home in the desperate Reggiana, the second in Chiavari where Entella will at least try to hold onto the field factor in the playout. In theory, Catanzaro shouldn’t prefer them, given that they drew both matches with both Carrarese (1-1 and 3-3) and the Doriani.
However, it is a remote possibility to draw Sampdoria or Carrarese, it is even less so to imagine an equal points finish (47) between one of the two, or both, with one or more of those above: in this case, the separated ranking would be more or less a Tetris. Better then to think about Bari and Iemmello’s recovery.
