Sudtirol carry a 1-0 advantage into the second leg of their Serie B playoff semi-final with Bari as the promotion rivals renew hostilities at the Stadio San Nicola on Friday evening.
Third-placed Bari finished seven points above sixth-placed Sudtirol in the final standings, but the Bolzano outfit have the upper hand ahead of the decisive second leg.
Match preview
It is fair to say that Bari can count themselves unfortunate to have lost the first leg, as Michele Mignani's men created several goalscoring opportunities while enjoying the lion's share of possession on Monday.
However, a 92nd-minute winner from substitute Matteo Rover saw Sudtirol notch a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil, meaning that Bari will need to come out fighting on Friday.
Although the Cockerels have lost each of their last two matches – suffering a 4-3 defeat to Serie A-bound Genoa before Monday's loss in Bolzano – they enjoyed a seven-game unbeaten streak prior to that.
When you look at the bigger picture, Bari have lost just three of their previous 17 outings, so they will be confident of turning things around on home soil, having last tasted defeat at the Stadio San Nicola back in January.
As for Sudtirol, they head into the second leg on the back of successive clean-sheet victories, while Pierpaolo Bisoli's boys have lost only one of their previous seven encounters, achieving five shutouts in the process.
With that in mind, it is no surprise that only the top two teams have conceded fewer goals than Sudtirol's 34 this season, so Bisoli's side will back themselves to keep another clean sheet on Friday.
It is worth noting, however, that only five Serie B sides have scored fewer goals than the Bolzano outfit in 2022-23, meaning that Sudtirol may have to rely on their defensive solidity to get them over the line.
Not only have Sudtirol lost one of their last seven games, but they have also lost just three of their previous 21, so the travelling fans will be hopeful of seeing their team reach the playoff final with another resolute performance.
Team News
Bari look set to be without the injured quartet of Damir Ceter, Cristian Galano, Raffaele Pucino and Marco Bosisio for the second leg.
Michele Mignani will likely stick with his preferred 4-3-1-2 formation, meaning that Mirco Antenucci and Walid Cheddira will start in attack, with Sebastiano Esposito operating behind the strikers.
Leonardo Benedetti, Raffaele Maiello and Mattia Maita are expected to retain their places in midfield, while Elia Caprile will continue between the sticks.
Sudtirol, on the other hand, will be without centre-back Andrea Masiello due to an elbow injury, so Marco Curto, Giovanni Zaro and Kevin Vinetot will likely make up the backline.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Raphael Odogwu and Simone Mazzocchi are expected to start in attack, leaving Luca Fiordilino to anchor the midfield.
Bari possible starting lineup:
Caprile; Dorval, Di Cesare, Vicari, Mazzotta; Maita, Maiello, Benedetti; Esposito; Cheddira, Antenucci
Sudtirol possible starting lineup:
Poluzzi; Curto, Zaro, Vinetot; De Col, Tait, Fiordilino, Belardinelli, Lunetta; Mazzocchi; Odogwu
We say: Bari 1-1 Sudtirol
Having avoided defeat in each of their last eight home games, Bari are not expected to lose on Friday, but they could struggle to claim the win that would take them to the playoff final.
Holding a vital 1-0 lead, Sudtoril look set to make life difficult for the Cockerels, so we expect the visitors to snatch a draw and book their place in the showpiece.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
