Livorno 1, Bari 1

After the sadness of the Pisa game, the Amaranto had an opportunity to restore some pride and confidence with their hardest game yet. They came up against Bari at the Picchi and started the game with purpose and effort. However, as is usually the case in matches like this, if you don't take advantage of the possession then you can get punished. Bari duly punished them when Bari broke the offside trap and Guberti duly headed home the cross after being left unmarked by Rosi. This goal gave Bari confidence and started to control the game.
 
The bright point of the game, not just from Livorno's persepctive, but from the neutral's, was the flowing move that led to Livorno's equaliser. A quick passing move saw Rosi free on the right and he made up for his earlier mistake by putting in a pinpoint cross that was met firmly by Rossini who directed his header wide of the Bari keeper. A great move and a great relief to all the fans.

Before the game the Curva Nord had held up a banner saying "After our presentation, our delusion" referring to the showing they gave the team for Pisa, and the subsequent loss. However, football fans' memories can be short and the way Livorno responded should make up for the disapointment against Pisa. As Acori said after the game that "definitely was a hard game and I wanted the squad to demonstrate the correct character and rebuild themselves after the derby loss".
 
One thing should be said about Bari - they knew how to win freekicks. Anytime a player in an  Amaranto shirt came close to them (and in some cases, not even being close to them!) they would fall over and the referee would award a free kick. If that is how they are going to try to win the title, then good luck to them.
 
Next up is nother 'derby', this time to the south of Tuscany in Grosseto in what should be another tough game. The Amaranto are still top, but there is a long way to go...
Mark Doidge, 20 February 2009