Manager: Robbie Ryan
Club: Bari FC
SEASON 2016-2017 - SEPTEMBER
Following on from a good start in August, there should have been a healthy buzz coming out of Bari in anticipation of the three September fixtures. Two away games in quick succession at Brescia and Cesena before travelling back down to the Stadio San Nicola to face Frosnione.
Brescia vs Bari
The team utilised the long gap between the last game at the end of august and the game against Biancoazzurri by spending the preceeding few days training in a lakeside retreat next to the serene Lake Garda. On the pitch however it was certainly not plain sailing for Ryan's men as their leaky defence was exposed once more almost instantly when Torregrossa fired in from close range after finding acres of space in the area. On the attacking side, Bari worked tirelessly with Monachello again keeping Luca Toni out of the team playing alongside Brienza in a 442. Their effort came to a head In the second half when Monachello showed true strikers instinct to get on to a cross and fire in past the keeper at point blank range. His animated celebrations showing just how delighted the young striker was at scoring his first goal for Bari and repaying the managers faith in his ability. The energetic celebrations were short lived when five minutes later, in the 78th minute the Brescia Striker Torregrossa fired in another goal from the right across the face of the Bari keeper. Ryan threw on Toni and went all out attack in a 343 but to no avail. a dissappointing defeat for i Galleti
Brescia 2 - 1 Bari - Goal: Monachello. MoM: Monachello
Cesena vs Bari
Three days after losing to Brescia, Bari travelled half way back to their home city to play Cesena. Ryan had said before the game that rotation was already on his mind after such a short gap from the last match and he stuck to his word with Toni making his first start of the season in place of Brienza who made minimal impact in the previous match. Ryan set up to play to the strengths of his powerful strikeforce, attacking from the first minute with wingers hugging the touchline and firing in high crosses to his targetmen. Chances were created amongst near domination by the away side, both strikers however lacked finesse to finish off any of the moves adequately with Toni in particular seeming a bit off the pace as the final whistle approached. In the defining moment however, the whole team were caught off guard when Guido Marilungo received a long pass over the top of the Bari defence and simply slotted it into the bottom corner to secure a win for Cavallucci Marini.
Cesena 1 - 0 Bari. MoM: Martinho
Bari vs Frosnioni
Bari came back to Puglia desperate for a win with the fans increasingly unhappy with the performances and tactics. Unfortunately desperate was the only word applicable to describe the performance. There were a couple of changes to the team with De Luca replacing Toni up front alongside Monachello, David Ivan back on the wing in more of a narrower role to allow the full backs the space to support the attack. These changes ultimately contributed to the awful performance as Frosnioni continusly disrupted the game plan by firing long diagonal passes on the counter attack to exploit the space vacated by the full backs. Both goals for Canarinicoming via this route and putting the game to bed very early on.
Bari 0 - 2 Frosnioni. MoM: N/A
Three bitterly disappointing games for Robbie Ryan who is now going to be battling for his job in the next month or two. The manager has to find a system that suits his players or simply pick a team which fits his vision, waiting until January is not an option for the Irishman. In either scenario it remains to be seen whether Marquee signing Luca Toni will fit into either vision.
Player Of The Month: Gaetano Monachello - A player working very hard to keep his place ahead of a world cup winner who finally scored his first goal for the club. His efforts epitomise what the manager wants to see from the rest of his team
Goal Of The Month: Gaetano Monachello vs Brescia - The only goal to choose from but a worthy one nonetheless, if not simply for the ecstatic celebration (I'm a twat and didnt save it)
P6 W2 L4 Pts6
POS: 16th
(October is bloody loaded with fixtures, next post is going to be loooooooong)
SACK Ryan! .. . .Only joking. .. . .Top Player is tough going.
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