After the 3-1 in the first leg, the goal from the usual Paris is not enough for the Lazio team. In addition to the trophy, the first in history, there is also access to the final phase, together with the three thirds of the groups
Potenza wins the Serie C Italian Cup for the first time in its history. He raises it to the Latina sky, kicking off the celebration of over 2 thousand fans who arrived from Basilicata (including the mayor Telesca and the president of the Region, Bardi). The exciting second leg final remains suspended until the last of the 6 minutes of injury time granted by the good referee Diop: Latina wins narrowly (1-0), but fails to complete the comeback sought in every way. The deserved 3-1 in the first leg proved to be decisive for the Lucanians, who reached the finish line despite the difficulty of the second half. Along with the trophy, Potenza also gains access to the national playoff phase together with the third-placed teams in the three groups. A great leap for a team that is only tenth in the league.
BALANCE
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To defend the precious advantage gained 15 days ago, De Giorgio (suspended, deputy Alfano on the bench) proposes a much more prudent set-up than usual: the dogma of 4-3-3 is not discussed, but the attacking wingers slide backwards without possession, leaving only Murano in front. Volpe, who has to deal with the heavy absences of Cioffi, De Ciancio and Parodi, instead draws Latina with the unusual four-man defense and two attacking midfielders (Fasan and Riccardi) behind the striker Parigi (14 goals in the championship). In the first half, Potenza’s conservative game plan worked: Diop took a good look at a couple of slight, non-foul contacts close to the area, the only threat to Cucchietti’s goal came in the 44th minute when Ercolano took the byline and the fouled trajectory found no deviations in the small area.
FROM THE SIEGE TO THE PARTY
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Upon returning to the locker room, Latina clearly understands that she has to do something more. And the music changes. In the 12th minute of the second half Volpe removes an attacker like the former D’Angelo to insert Sylla (his goal of hope in the first leg): the objective is to fill the area with two centre-forwards, giving width with the 4-4-2 to serve them with crosses. Also pumped up by the crowd – never seen so large at the Francioni, almost 9 thousand spectators -, the hosts change pace and find the equalizer: from a throw-in in the attacking area, a melee is generated in the area resolved by the expected Paris who passes Cucchietti. And so, with just one goal remaining from extra time, the evening changes: the game is practically played on an inclined plane, only in Potenza’s defensive half of the pitch which finds itself under siege and gritting its teeth. In this phase, Latina comes in from all sides and comes close to making it 2-0 first with Fasan who shoots just wide, then (82′) with Ercolano’s shot from outside the area which hits the top corner. But somehow, the guests emerge unscathed from the outburst. With the substitutions breaking the rhythm, the last dangers for Cucchietti’s goal came from a couple of corner kicks in which everyone jumped, including goalkeeper Mastrantonio. But it’s not enough. Potenza is celebrating, thus giving meaning to its season and can start thinking about the playoffs with a smile. Before all the others.
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