Tre Nove Tre…
Or, in other words, three games, nine points, three places.
A 1-0 win away to Lumezzane maintained The Lions excellent run of form, thanks in no part to a wondrous strike from Simone Malatesta. Malatesta received the ball from the wing with his back to goal, lifted the ball into the air with his left foot – and with the same peg, buried the ball with a perfectly executed scissor kick – worthy of a higher level of the game.
The side even survived going down to ten men, after Francesco Pigoni was sent off for two bookable offences.
The result was the club’s third win from their last three league outings – four wins from four games if you include the Coppa Italia Lega Pro victory over Pro Patria. Only San Marino Calcio in Seconda Divisione Girone A has a better run of form in the league – five from five.
The result moved the club up from sixth place to third, leapfrogging Sunday’s opponents, as well as Sorrento and Tritium. They are now just five points off the solitary automatic promotion spot at the top of the table, currently occupied by Ternana.
Pro Vercelli’s chances of securing a play-off place, let alone automatic promotion, will be tested greatly throughout December. After Monday’s live encounter (RAI Uno/Sport if you can find a stream or get access) with SPAL – Pro Vercelli have a run of games against teams in the top six.
After SPAL come league leaders Ternana (away), Tritium (away), Sorrento (home) and Carpi (away). Some would argue that The Lions form is actually better away from the Stadio Silvio Piola, so such a run – especially if they have ideas of moving up – should not duly concern a team flying high, near the top of the table.
It is a tall order to remain in the play-offs, but if they can – the beauty of Italian scheduling means that the season effectively starts over again, with a game against Como, when the league returns in January, after the enforced winter break.
If you want to know what it feels likes to be a tifoso in a near empty, Lega Pro stadio – check this footage from the crowd of Malatesta’s strike.
