Spezia

Spezia remains unbeaten in two games (LWLWD) after the goalless draw against Empoli and are looking to avoid defeat once again this weekend when they take on Inter Milan on Friday. The Little Eagles took 11 shots, including 5 O.T., while having 42% of the ball against the Blues. However, they were unable to find a way past Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, with Ivan Provedel putting in a number of key interventions to keep his side in contention for a point. The draw leaves the Whites with 33 points and in 15th place, after 9W, 6D, and 17L. A defeat on Friday could see the four-point gap between the Little Eagles and 16th-placed Sampdoria [29 points] reduced to a point, while a win may see Spezia move into 14th place if Empoli [34 points] fail to pick up a win over Udinese. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Rey Manaj at the top of the shape is expected from Thiago Motta for this fixture against the Well-Cherished One. Spezia have no major injury worries ahead of the weekend’s game.

Spezia are making their return with three defeats in a row; WDLLL, after last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Roma. The Little Eagles had held on for a point throughout the length of the game until they had their hearts broken deep in stoppage time. A high boot led the referee to the monitors before Tammy Abraham (90’+9 P.) took his chance and converted from the penalty spot. The loss leaves the Whites with 26 points, four points above the relegation zone, in 16th place, after 7W, 5D, and 15L. A defeat on Sunday would see the club pick up four defeats in a row for the very first time in their history. A 4—3—3 formation with Rey Manaj at the center of the attacking trio is expected from Thiago Motta for this fixture against the Old Lady. Kelvin Amian and Jakub Kiwior are both suspended for this fixture, while Jacopo Sala remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Spezia failed to earn a point following the 2-1 defeat to Bologna last Monday at the Renato Dall'Ara. Rey Manaj (11’) struck inside the opening fifteen minutes to put Spezia in the lead, before a brace from the Austrian, Marko Arnautović (40’ & 84'), left the Little Eagles with back-to-back defeats; WWDLL. The loss leaves the Whites with 26 points, four points above the relegation zone, in 16th place, after 7W, 5D, and 14L. Spezia are currently on their longest scoring streak in the club’s history, having hit the back of the net nine times in a row. The Little Eagles are looking to do the same against the Magic One on Sunday when both sides clash. A win over Roma would see Spezia jump two spots ahead, into 14th place, if Sampdoria fails to defeat Atalanta on Monday. For the game against Bologna, Thiago Motta went with the 4—2—3—1 formation with Rey Manaj at the top of the shape. He is expected to stick with the same formation for the weekend’s game against the Giallorossi. However, M'Bala Nzola is expected to replace Rey Manaj, who is currently suspended, in attack. Spezia have no injury worries ahead of this fixture against the She-Wolf.

Spezia picked up three points on Serie A Matchday 21, following a narrow 1-0 victory over Genoa who fired their manager, Andriy Shevchenko, earlier today [Sunday], following the disappointing 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Coppa Italia. The victory leaves the Whites with 19 points, three points above the relegation zone in 16th place, after 5W, 4D, and 12L. With a return to winning ways, LDWLW, Thiago Motta aims to see two victories in a row at the start of the week. A 3—5—2 formation with M'Bala Nzola and Rey Manaj posing as the attacking duo is anticipated for this fixture against Milan. The Eagles will be without Ebrima Colley, who is currently on international duty with the Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021.

Spezia picked up a point in the 1-1 draw plagued by two own goals at the Alberto Picco over the weekend. Spezia were on the back foot right after kick-off, leaving Empoli to do the attacking, as the visitors made intelligent passes through pockets behind the Spezia backline. However, resilient defending kept Spezia from conceding in the first forty-five. Five minutes after the break, an own goal from Riccardo Marchizza (50’ O.G) saw Spezia take the lead. But, minutes later, another bizarre own goal, this time from Dimitris Nikolaou (71’ O.G.), restored parity at the Alberto Picco. The draw leaves Spezia in 17th place with 13 points from 3W, 4D, & 11L. The club remains without a win in five Serie A games, LLDLD, and a win here for Thiago Motta looks unlikely. A 3—5—2 formation with M'Bala Nzola and Rey Manaj posing as the attacking duo is anticipated for this game against Napoli. On availability, Daniele Verde and Eddie Salcedo are in doubt for this fixture, while Jacopo Sala is ruled out until next year.

Last weekend, Spezia gave up a two-goal lead and had to settle for a point following the 2-2 draw against Sassuolo at the Stadio Alberto Picco. Rey Manaj (35’) and Emmanuel Gyasi (47’) had Spezia cruising with the double minutes after the break. But the game took a dramatic turn six minutes after the hour. Giacomo Raspadori (66’ & 79’) cut Spezia’s lead down to one before returning for the brace thirteen minutes later to restore parity. Spezia is in 17th place with 12 points from 3W, 3D, and 10L, and have the form: WLLLD. The Black and Whites have lost their last five Serie A away games, but Thiago Motta will be aiming for at least a point on Monday, in a bid to remain above the bottom three. A 4—4—2 formation with M'Bala Nzola and Rey Manaj posing as the attacking duo is anticipated for this game against Roma. Emmanuel Gyasi (head injury) is ruled out of this fixture alongside Leo Sena (muscle injury).

Spezia picked up a 1-0 defeat to Bologna over the weekend. They were on the back-foot from the get-go, holding their breaths when Arnautovic struck the woodwork in the opening minutes before Musa Barrow did likewise a moment later. Minutes later, Barrow struck the woodwork for the second time in the game, and the third for Bologna. Spezia held on to the stalemate, hoping to pick up a point until they conceded a penalty. Arnautovic (83' P.) stepped up at the Stadio Alberto Picco and converted from the spot to condemn Spezia to back-to-back defeats: DLWLL. It’s not the first time that we don’t win a balanced game. Thiago Motta told DAZN in his post-match interview. We need to improve defensively and read the game better without letting our opponents come forward with the ball. Motta added. Spezia are in 17th place with 11 points after 3W, 2D, and 9L. A 4—3—3 formation with M'Bala Nzola at the focal point of attack is anticipated for this game against Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Spezia picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Torino at the Stadio Alberto Picco on Saturday, the 6th of November. Jacopo Sala (58’) bagged the only goal of the game two minutes short of the hour mark. The win saw Spezia stay afloat with two points above the bottom three. The club is in 16th place with 11 points after 3W, 2D & 7L. Thiago Motta aims to cause an upset on Saturday when his side, having the form, WLDLW, takes on Atalanta. However, Spezia must keep it tight at the back throughout the length of the game to pick up at least a point in this duel of ninety minutes. No team has conceded more goals than Spezia in the current Serie A campaign (26), along with Cagliari and Salernitana. A 4—2—3—1 formation with M'Bala Nzola in attack is expected for this game against Atalanta.

Spirited-underdogs Spezia picked up a 3-2 defeat to Juventus in Wednesday's fixture at the Alberto Picco despite finding an equalizer and having the lead at the hour mark. Moise Kean (28') had given the Old Lady the lead minutes into the first forty-five, but a fine effort from Emmanuel Gyasi (33') brought both sides level. Minutes after the break, Janis Antiste (49') broke away on the counter for a Spezia lead. Spezia were looking good to collect three points, but a loss of concentration would see the club lose the advantage. Federico Chiesa (66') restored parity six minutes after the hour mark before another effort from Matthijs de Ligt (72') wrapped up the points for Juventus and condemned Spezia to their third defeat in five games: DLLWL. The loss leaves Spezia just above the relegation zone in 17th place, while having 4 points after five games: 1W, 1D & 3L. Having only 7 goals while conceding 13, Spezia has a G.D. of -6. Thiago Motta would like to see his side collect at least a point when they welcome AC Milan to the Alberto Picco on Saturday. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Janis Antiste at the top of the design is anticipated. Left-back Bastoni and left-winger Emmanuel Gyasi have two goals apiece for the club and will look to extend their tally when they meet Milan. Spezia could be without as many as four players for this game against Milan.

Surprisingly, Spezia are doing much better than the opposition. The club picked up a 2-1 win over Venezia in Sunday’s game at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium. Spezia are in 13th place, five spots above Juventus while having 4 points after four games: 1W, 1D & 2L (DLLW). On Wednesday, Thiago Motta will look to frustrate Juventus in a bid to pick up a point on home soil when the Killer Lady makes her visit to the Alberto Picco. Motta could utilize the 4—2—3—1 formation once again, with the 19-year-old Janis Antiste at the top of the shape.