“We are not Barcelona,” says Martusciello at the end of the match, explaining that it was necessary to secure points above all, despite the beautiful football. He hasn’t changed his way of thinking: he is still an advocate of performances that help achieve results. This time, however, he preferred not to force the game and not to insert a second striker, because his Salernitana is still fragile and the defensive phase has just blossomed. Thus, the tactical match against Catanzaro produces the second consecutive 0-0 in the league.
The Tactics
Eleven players replaced: Martusciello puts aside the Salernitana-2 used in the Coppa Italia and fields a solid and technically proficient team against Catanzaro in a must-win game. In front of a large audience (including 2,500 fans who came from Calabria), the Granata coach opts to start with Wlodarczyk instead of Simy. The unbeaten defense is confirmed in full for the first time in Reggio Emilia: from right to left, Stojanovic, Bronn, Ferrari, and Njoh. Verde and Braaf are positioned alongside the Polish center forward. In midfield, Maggiore and Amatucci protect the skill and technique of Reine-Adelaide. In the South Curve Siberiano, the ultras once again forego banners and flags. There is only one banner – black paint on white paper – reflecting the thought of the groups: “You and me… an endless story, forever you will be the love of my life.”
The Match Report
A tactical, blocked game, to be approached with patience. Catanzaro presses the Granata full-backs in their half, their coach, Caserta, chooses Koutsoupias as a deep-lying forward among the trio of playmakers to operate between Amatucci and Reine-Adelaide. This setup holds for 21 minutes. Then the French midfielder collapses on the pitch, calls for a substitution, and hides his face under his shirt. Hands on his head to signify concern, the fear that it might not just be a slight ailment is immediately dispelled: another muscular issue in the hamstring. Martusciello replaces him with Soriano, and then Verde nearly scores with a curling free-kick that grazes the crossbar. Salernitana finds few openings and encounters a vigilant, punctual defensive phase. Braaf finds some space and shoots twice: first strong and central into Pigliacelli’s gloves, and then more dangerously on the second attempt, but Scognamillo throws himself in the way and blocks it with his face. It’s a game of details, also characterized by insertions. There is light for Maggiore at the 41st minute: he attacks the Catanzaro defense head-on, ready for the breakthrough, the pass and shot, but chooses to distribute on the left for Njoh’s cross that fails to find an aggressive Wlodarczyk at the far post. Then Verde shoots the ball just outside the net.
The Second Half
Martusciello doesn’t make any substitutions during halftime and spends the second substitution slot after 7 minutes of the second half. He breaks the deadlock when Njoh leaves Catanzaro’s right winger in place and delivers a low cross into the unguarded area, where center forward Wlodarczyk is distracted and lagging, not aggressive enough. He immediately makes way for Torregrossa. Amatucci, on the other hand, is replaced by Tello, and Maggiore takes on the role of playmaker. At the 24th minute, Salernitana attempts their second shot on goal: it’s with Torregrossa, but it’s almost a pass, an easy catch for Pigliacelli. Blocked and cautious, the visiting team also reinforces the midfield with a third midfielder, Coulibaly. Thus, Salernitana’s shot comes by chance: Tello attempts an acrobatic effort but misses the target. The real goal opportunity arrives in the 38th minute of the second half during a counterattack. Braaf, who had previously suffered from calf cramps, extends his stride and shoots. Pigliacelli makes a save on the right post, but the concern is for Braaf, who is limping and risks a muscle injury. He is substituted due to necessity, with Hrustic coming on, and Martusciello uses his third slot without the fifth substitution, calling back Simy, who was warming up. Just before that, however, there is a fantastic save by Pigliacelli (after the corner earned from Braaf’s shot) on a twisting header from Maggiore (39′ minute of the second half). Verde also tries but shoots to the outside of the net. At the end of the match, there are mixed applause from the crowd along with a few boos coming from other sectors.