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Serie A Preview: Bari – Siena

Bari will be looking for all three points against the Serie A cellar dwellers…

Nov 27, 2009 7:50:23 AM

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Bari
Siena

Players

Kick-off: Sunday, November 29, 15:00 CET, Stadio San Nicola

Middle Of The Pack

Bari have defied the odds in the current Serie A campaign and sit in the top half of the table, ahead of the likes of Lazio, Palermo and Udinese. The Galletti don’t score a boatload of goals but instead rely on their rock solid defence in order to pick up positive results.

Bari’s leading scorer Riccardo Allegretti has only two goals to his name but the Galletti have kept a whopping six clean sheets so far in the campaign. Gifted central defenders Andrea Ranocchia and Leonardo Bonucci have formed an almost impenetrable partnership at the back and gain potential suitors with every round that goes by.

Bari are coming off a 3-1 loss to Roma, though, in which their usually rock solid defence looked very vulnerable. Coach Giampiero Ventura was not pleased with the result and rued his side’s inability to convert their chances.

"Our approach was not good, we were too timid. We had received too many compliments and lost sight of who we are,” he said.

"We wasted several chances, while Roma scored three goals in their first four opportunities. In the second-half we improved, but the disappointment remains. In Rome, it's possible to lose but we regret not doing anything to play our best."

Bari will look to shake off that loss and will be confident of doing just that as Siena limp into town. The Galletti will be favourites for the match and need to come away with all three points if they plan on reaching the 40-point plateau sooner than later.

Siena Sinking Fast

It has been nothing short of a disastrous season for Siena, as the Tuscan outfit sit in the Serie A cellar with only one win to their name. They have picked up just six points from their first 13 games are sinking fast.

Siena announced a few days ago that former Parma tactician Alberto Malesani will now take the reigns of the Bianconeri. Malesani is the Tuscan side’s third coach of the season.

The new coach has a herculean task ahead of him but feels his side can still obtain survival if they improve their work ethic.

"There is no time and space for words," he declared.

"The important thing is that we work hard to try and fix this situation."

Malesani will soon find out what kind of mission he actually signed up for when Siena travel to Bari to face one of the Serie A’s stingiest defences on Sunday afternoon.

TEAM FORM

Bari

November 22 v Roma (A) LOST 3-1 (Serie A)

November 8 v Livorno (H) WON 1-0 (Serie A)

November 1 v Sampdoria (A) DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

October 28 v Parma (A) LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

October 25 v Lazio (H) WON 2-0 (Serie A)

Siena

November 25 v Novara (H) LOST 2-0 (Coppa Italia)

November 22 v Atalanta (H) LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

November 12 v Grosetto (H) WON 2-0 (Coppa Italia)

November 08 v Genoa (A) LOST 4-2 (Serie A)

November 01 v Lazio (H) DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Bari

Ferdinando Sforzini, Alessadro Gazzi, Salvatore Masiello, Vitaly Kutuzov and Matteo Paro will all miss the match due to various knocks and ailments.

Possible starting XI: Gillet, A. Masiello, Ranocchia, Bonucci, Parisi – Alvarez, Donati, Almiron, Langella – Barreto, Meggiorini

Siena

Malesani will be without the services of Luca Rossettini and Francesco Parravicini.

Possible starting XI: Curci – Rosi, Ficagna, Brandao, Del Grosso – Genevier – Fini, Vergassola, Jajalo, Maccarone - Calaio

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Andrea Ranocchia (Bari)

The calm and composed centre-back has been a major reason why Bari are one of the surprise packages of the Serie A season. His sterling performances have caught the attention of a number of clubs including Juventus. He should be able to shine against a Siena attack that is the antithesis of imposing.

Massimo Maccarone (Siena)

The 30-year-old striker leads the team in scoring with four goals to his name this season and needs to add to that tally on Sunday afternoon if Siena have any chance of picking up a positive result.

PREDICTION

Bari should be able to pick up the three points at home but it’s never easy when the opposing team’s coach is making his debut.

Bari 2-1 Siena

Max De Luca, Goal.com

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