Alessandro Micai he finds Mantua again along his path. It will be the second approach as an opponent to the colors he wore at the dawn of his career.
The goalkeeper is one of the most experienced and charismatic men within the group. And it is him that Cosenza relies on in the complicated path to salvation. Tomorrow afternoon he will have to block the path of his hometown team, something he failed to do in the first leg when he conceded three goals, even suffering some criticism for a couple of them. The 31-year-old will celebrate his two years in the Sila shirt in a few days. A journey in which he defended the rossoblù goal posts in 80 circumstances, conceding 95 goals and keeping his shutters down in 25 circumstances.
In the first leg match against Possanzini’s red and whites he experienced one of his worst evenings. Only against Como (five goals conceded) and Genoa (poker) did he suffer a worse deficit (three goals also in the December 2023 match against Ternana). In the first match of the new year he wants to start off on the right foot, returning to keep his wall high two and a half months after the last time.
Training choices. There are various doubts that Alvini will have to resolve for tomorrow afternoon’s match. The Tuscan coach has changed his hierarchies in some cases regarding the rossoblù eleven. The latest series of matches with only one point won calls Cosenza’s lineup into question, which in any case should not ignore the usual 3-4-2-1. At the moment, the department least under discussion is the backward one. With the untouchable Micai, the decisions of the Sila coach will also pass through the conditions of Christian Dalle Mura. However, the favorite trio for the match against the Lombards seems to be the one made up of Sgarbi, Venturi and Caporale.
In midfield, on the right lane, Ricciardi will return from the first minute. The Roman winger was left out of the eleven in the last match of 2024, when Cosenza showed up at the “Mapei” to face Sassuolo. The biggest questions are concentrated on the opposite side. D’Orazio could become a protagonist again but he must beware of Ciervo and the possible outsider Cimino, surprisingly chosen in the match in Reggio Emilia two weeks ago.
Charlys and Kouan, who alternated in the disqualification, should return to form the median dam again. If the Ivorian were to be advanced for reasons of opportunity Kourfalidis would join the Brazilian. A hypothesis that however seems secondary.
In attack, the ballot concerns Zilli and Fumagalli. If the Friulian were to prevail, Mazzocchi would start behind him next to Florenzi. Otherwise, the former Reggiana and Sudtirol player would lead the front line, with the number ten and the Sardinian. Artistic should find space during the match in progress. The finishing touches will be preceded by Alvini’s press conference. The coach will return on the day before the match after a month. The last time it happened before leaving for Cesena on 12 December.
