The thirty-six points gained in the first round, just a year ago, would have allowed Cosenza to lead the table in group C. Twelve months ago, in fact, the top of the table was made up of the trio of Avellino, Audace Cerignola and Benevento, ahead of everyone with 31 points.
This year, however, the record is much more “expensive” (41 points have been obtained so far by the Benevento team and Catania), but not too much if compared to the other three previous ones in the last five years, in which Ternana (48), Catanzaro (51) and Juve Stabia (42) took the lead with a higher number of points. The current figure is close to the one that crowned the yellow-blue team. The Stabiesi finished the year with 79 points, with a ten point advantage over Avellino.
To reach that figure, Antonio Buscè’s team would have to complete a return round of 43 points, traveling at an average of 2.26 per game. Translated, it means scoring seven points more than those achieved until the victory against Cavese five days ago. This would mean having a very low margin of error.
The fight at the top open to a larger number of teams, however, could lower the quota for direct promotion. The rossoblù will have to reduce the number of draws. In the first nineteen rounds none of the top five finished in a draw as many times as D’Orazio and co: 6, almost once every three matches (31.58%). The silani have never closed with the “ics” sign at the “Marulla”. They returned with a point from away matches against Monopoli, Crotone, Casertana, Sorrento, Altamura and Trapani.
There are several regrets left behind by some of these challenges including wasted opportunities, defensive distractions and refereeing decisions. In particular, the Bruzio group has managed to bring home only one success in the last five games away from home. Details that led to the five points delay from first place despite, for example, at the halfway point Benevento arrived with a higher number of defeats than the Wolves (four compared to the three of the Sila and Salernitana; there were only two for Catania). From this point of view, it will also be important to reduce the number of markings suffered. The rossoblù have collected 19 in as many days. A higher number than that expressed by Catania (9) and Benevento (12) but lower than that of Salernitana (23).
