A Bari without surprises draws with Reggina

Reggina takes the field with the expected formation: a dynamic and enterprising 4-3-3 with Menez fake nine. In Bari’s 4-3-2-1, however, the surprises are Mazzotta, confirmed on the left out of the defense, and above all Bellomo, launched in the role of midfielder, with Maita play in place of the suspended Maiello.

The first half of great intensity, Reggina goes to a thousand, Bari defends itself well with Di Cesare and Vicari almost always insurmountable, although the Canotto-Menez-Rivas trident is not lacking in liveliness. Bari could unlock the result, which after a few minutes scores with Dorval. On the developments of a corner kick for Reggina, Botta sweeps, Majer the last man of Reggina, but loses the physical duel with Dorval, who flies towards Colombi and overtakes him. The referee validates, the Var advises him to reverse due to a touch of the hand by the red and white French. It remains at 0-0. Reggina responds with Menez, who from 20 meters fires a poisonous left foot on which Caprile is perfect. These are the fraction’s only chances, in the context of a frenetic pace and a pleasant match, with some inevitable sparks, given the importance of the stakes.

The second half starts with an opportunity for Reggina. It all stems from a breakaway to the left by Rivas, which puts Pierozzi in a position to kick from distance. Providential Mazzotta, but on the rebound Hernani nearly hit the post from a good position. Bari tries to remain compact, without revealing the side of the Calabrians, and they almost always succeed. Dorval suffers in the defensive phase against Rivas, but wonderful diagonally on Canotto who in turn had opened up the field on the opposite side. Mignani changes something, both in midfield and in defense, inserting Pucino for Dorval, and Mallamo for Bellomo. Just Mallamo risks a lot in the penalty area, with an intervention against Gori who is first evaluated by penalty, then revised by the var in favor of Bari. Bari also changes two, in particular Antenucci, in whose place Scheidler enters, and Botta (a step back in terms of performance) replaced by Salcedo.

The race continues on the edge of balance, but without great emotions, almost a chess challenge between the two coaches and between two teams who at a certain point seem to settle for a draw. Reggina and Bari remain second and third, with three points separating them. One day after the end of the first round, the glass is decidedly half full. And now, for Bari, head to the match on Boxing Day. At San Nicola it will be an evening of great football and presumably great numbers.

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