Play Off Serie B 2025-2026: Catanzaro-Avellino, the probable formations
At the Nicola Ceravolo Stadium, Catanzaro and Avellino take on each other at 9 p.m. in the quarterfinal of the Serie B play-offs. The hosts, on the strength of their fifth-place finish with 59 points, enjoy the favor of prediction and the regulatory advantage of the standings. Despite their recent defeat against Bari, the Calabrians boast the third best attack in the tournament and will rely on Pittarello’s scoring streak and Di Francesco’s quality to get through the round at home. Avellino, which landed in the play-offs in extremis as eighth in the league, arrives in Calabria on the wings of enthusiasm after its success against Modena. The Irpini are counting on the leadership of Armando Izzo and the talent of former greats, such as Sounas, to dispel a historical taboo. It will be a very heated duel where the winner will be the details to see who will have the strength to continue the race towards Serie A.
Aquilani deploys a very solid and compact module to better manage the maneuver. In front of Pigliacelli, the three-man line consists of Cassandro, Antonini and Brighenti. In midfield, Petriccione and Pontisso are in charge, with Favasuli and Di Francesco on the outsides. On the three-quarter will act the young Liberali and Alesi, ready to trigger the only point Pittarello.
Ballardini responds with a more compact team in the defensive phase. In goal is Iannarilli, protected by the central pair Izzo-Enrici with Cancellotti and Missori as full-backs. In the midfield Palmiero will dictate the tempo supported by Besaggio and former Sounas, while Palumbo will act on the three-quarter behind the offensive tandem formed by Russo and Biasci.
The probable lineups
Catanzaro (3-4-2-1): Pigliacelli; Cassandro, Antonini, Brighenti; Favasuli, Pontisso, Petriccione, Di Francesco; Liberali, Alesi; Pittarello. All. Aquilani.
Avellino (4-3-1-2): Iannarilli; Cancellotti, Izzo, Enrici, Missori; Besaggio, Palmiero, Sounas; Palumbo; Russo, Biasci. All. Ballardini.
