REGGINA CALCIO

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 15 - 9/12/06 (17.00 UK)
Reggina - Ascoli

Stadio Granillo

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Serie A’s basement boys do battle in Reggio Calabria this weekend as bottom of the table Reggina host winless Ascoli at the Stadio Oreste Granillo. The Amaranto only got into positive points in the last fortnight due to their 15-point Calciopoli deduction, while the Bianconeri are currently the only side in the Division without a victory to their name.

But for their massive point penalty, Reggina would currently be comfortably occupying a mid-table spot. However, that is the reality for the boys from down south until their appeal is heard by the CONI Court of Arbitration, so it is essential that they start to climb the table soon. They will have to do so without Maurizio Lanzaro though, as he is suspended – Antonio Giosa takes his place in defence.

Although Coach Walter Mazzarri is without one of his top stoppers, he can call upon his most decisive player at the other end of the pitch. Rolando Bianchi may have done little in his Serie A career prior to this season, but the former Atalanta youth product has been in fantastic form since his opening day hat-trick against Palermo. Only Cristian Rigano and Francesco Totti have scored more Serie A goals.

Mazzarri’s opposite number Nedo Sonetti will have to call on all of his years of experience if he is to get the Del Duca outfit out of this pickle. The 65-year-old performed a minor miracle at Cagliari last term though, so there’s no reason why he can’t do the same here – starting against Reggina.

Rather than make wholesale changes to the side which were held to a 2-2 draw against Catania despite racing into a two-goal lead, Sonetti has opted to keep faith with much of that side. The only change he is expected to make is an enforced one, as Michelangelo Minieri is suspended. His place at left-back is likely to go to the inexperienced Massimo Gotti.

Given that Reggina and Ascoli have netted only 24 goals between them so far this term, it would take an optimistic man to expect a goal feast at the Oreste Granillo. But with so much at stake for both sides, entertainment certainly shouldn’t be at a premium – and who knows, Christmas might come early for Ascoli in the shape of three points.

Man on fire: Sasa Bjelanovic (Ascoli) – The Croatian hitman has hardly set Serie A alight, but his brace put the minnows in a winning position against Catania.

Last season: Reggina 2-0 Ascoli

Form guide: Reggina (L W L D D) Ascoli (L L D L D)

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Reggina (probable): Pelizzoli; Giosa, A Lucarelli, Aronica; Tognozzi, Amerini, Tedesco, Modesto; Amoruso, Leon, Bianchi

Ascoli (probable): Pagliuca; Cudini, Pecorari, Nastase, Gotti; Fini, Zanetti, Fontana, Boudianski, Guberti; Bjelanovic

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/reg-asc.html

[D-Kin]

Ascoli squad:

BOCCHETTI SALVATORE
CORALLO RICCARDO
CUDINI MIRKO
NASTASE VALENTIN VASILE
PECORARI MARCO
VASTOLA GAETANO

FINI MICHELE
FONTANA GAETANO
GALLOPPA DANIELE
GUBERTI STEFANO
JOB IVOCK THOMAS HERVE’
NSIABAMFUMU OLIVIER
PECCHIA FABIO
PERRULLI GIAMPIETRO
SKELA ERVIN
ZANETTI PAOLO

BJELANOVIC SASA
PAOLUCCI MICHELE

[D-Kin]

It's 0-0 after 20 minutes.

[D-Kin]

Reggina won 2-1.

Lucarelli, Amoruso and Pecorari with the goals.

[D-Kin]

Lets see how Reggina react to having their points penalty reduced, it should give them a boost.

[D-Kin]

Last season: Reggina 2-1 Sampdoria


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Reggina (probable): Pelizzoli; Giosa, Lucarelli, Aronica; Mesto, Amerini, Tedesco, Missiroli; Leon, Amoruso; Bianchi

Sampdoria (probable): Berti; Zenoni, Bastrini, Palombo, Pieri; Maggio, Volpi, Delvecchio, Franceschini; Flachi, Bazzani

[meccano]

I really hope our friends Samp can do us a favour here and hold or even beat Reggina to keep the heat off the relegation zone...

[D-Kin]

I have my doubts meccano, Reggina are strong at home and they've had a good start to the season.

[meccano]

there is always hope

[D-Kin]

Sampdoria squad:

Portieri. Berti, L. Castellazzi.
Difensori. Accardi, Bastrini, Ciancio, Maggio, Pieri, Zenoni, Zivanovic.
Centrocampisti. Bonanni, Da Mota, Delvecchio, Franceschini, Olivera, Volpi.
Attaccanti. Bazzani, Bonazzoli, Flachi, Quagliarella.

[D-Kin]

Reggina: Pelizzoli, Lanzaro, Lucarelli, Giosa, Aronica, Mesto, Amerini, Tedesco, Leon, Amoruso, Bianchi
Subs: Marino, Barilla, Di Dio, Tognozzi, Missiroli, Nielsen, Esteves

Sampdoria: Berti, Zenoni, Bastrini, Maggio, Accardi, Franceschini, Volpi, Delvecchio, Flachi, Bazzani, Quagliarella
Subs: L, Castellazzi, Da Mota, Zivanovic, Bonanni, Bonazzoli, Olivera, Pieri

[D-Kin]

It's absolutely tipping it down, the conditions are terrible.

[D-Kin]

It's nearly half time, still 0-0.

[D-Kin]

HT 0-0.

[D-Kin]

Reggina 0-1 Sampdoria

67' Quagliarella