As the Serie A season draws to a close and the Scudetto decided, attention turns to the bottom end of the table as Sampdoria and Lecce battle it out to avoid relegation to Serie B.
The Blucerchiati played their derby game last week and were beaten Genoa thanks to a last minute winner from Mauro Boselli, and this weekend relegation rivals Lecce have a derby of their own to contest that could have a major impact on the destination of the club next season.
Bari have won the last two encounters between the sides but are already relegated and only have regional pride to fight for, though that is enough in Puglia as the rivalry is one of the fiercest in Italy.
However, Lecce will go into the tie hoping to recreate the 4-0 thrashing they gave their neighbours back in 2007 when both clubs were in Serie B.
It may not be the most well known of the Italian derbies but it means so much to the fans of both sides. Interestingly enough in a total of 63 matches between both sides, Bari have won on 22 occasions, Lecce 20, the rest of course being draws.
Paul Rideout, who played with Bari in the 80’s called the Derby di Puglia more passionate than Scotland’s Old Firm Derby (Rangers – Celtic) and England’s Merseyside Derby (Liverpool – Everton) encounters. He would know he has played in all three.
Listen to Paul Rideout’s appearance on the Italian Football FanCast.
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