Bari – Modena

Italy – Serie B, day 10. Saturday

21/10/23, h14:00 CET

A sudden thunderstorm just hit Bari, with the sacking of coach Mignani after a golden season ended up just minutes away from Serie A. The new one, however, showed a disappointing start: 10 points in 9 games, with a barely a victory and an anomalous list of draws (7 already). Therefore, the club opted for a technical reset with the experienced Pasquale Marino appointed on the bench this week. Bari's ambitions are legitimately more than a poor mid-table positioning. Still, the departure of Cheddira and Folorunsho - last year's most talented players - is a factor than can be hardly solved without further reinforcements from the transfer window next January. Until then, Bari must be ready to struggle. Especially in attack (just 8 goals scored to this day). 

Hard times for Modena as well: after an outstanding beginning (3 wins in the first 3), the team collapsed into a physical and organizational crisis (3 points in the last 5, with 2 goals in favor and 6 against). Altogether, the value of the roster cannot compete with Serie B's very top positions but is neither as fragile as the bottom line: today it's coach Bianco's duty to seek an emotional reaction from his players in order to emerge from difficulties. Modena are still defending decently, but are halting offensively: Luca Strizzolo, their top-scorer with 3, after the first 3 games could not hit the back of the net anymore. 

Modena have never won in Bari in the last 10 years, with a heavy 4-1 defeat in their most recent contest at Stadio San Nicola. Conversely, the home factor, quite decisive for Bari all over 2022/23, now is a puzzle: 4 draws in a row so far. Now, also considering the sparkle usually triggered by the new coach, it is time for a win against an opponent well at the reach. If anything, Bari and Modena share a common problem in attack that calls for a low-scoring game, with the former eventually advantaged.