Since the start of the season I’ve always had different opponents to everyone else regarding Livorno’s chances of surviving. The club were in good shape before the tough run of games came about which saw them pick up an astounding one point from nine games. Realistically, the Amaranto have every chance of staying in the top flight.
Sunday’s early kick-off against Hellas Verona, although it ended in misery, proved somehow that Livorno are not a terrible side. The Tuscan side were down 3-0 heading into half-time before scoring two goals in quick succession to make it 3-2. They were one goal away from making a historic comeback.
Although some Livorno fans might look at the result in shame, after all the Amaranto only finished two points behind Verona in Serie B last season. I for one, would prefer to look at the bright side of things. The players put in their all and they played for the shirt, they had this noticeable team spirit. That’s exactly what’s needed next.
What’s coming next however is much harder. The upcoming five games will be extremely tough including a relegation ‘six-pointer’ against Bologna. So what makes me say it isn’t impossible?
First of all, the players look rejuvenated. If we look at relegation rivals Bologna this isn’t quite the case. Hurt by the sale of talismanic captain Alessandro Diamanti, Bologna’s results speak for themselves. The Rossoblu have only amassed four points from their last five games.
Livorno on the other hand, have managed seven points. Psychologically, the players look much more confident than in the past and this could potentially play a vital role in deciding who gets to stay up. Davide Ballardini’s men on the contrary have lost Diamanti and who knows how this could affect their confidence level.
A vital point in the race however is the next game coming up for Domenico Di Carlo’s men, Napoli at the Stadio Armando Picchi. Despite the indisputable quality that the Partenopei possess in most if not all areas of the field, let’s not forget that they have a crucial Europa League tie with Swansea on Thursday, while Livorno will meet Rafael Benitez’s side on Sunday. If the side could just scrape a point, if not three off Napoli then this will most probably lift them above the drop zone and give them an immense psychologic push.
Secondly, the reason why it’s not so impossible is the schedule of games coming up. In the next five week or so all of Livorno’s relegation rivals will play against another relegation rival. Sassuolo will play both Catania and Bologna, and the latter will come up against Chievo. In fact, Livorno themselves will host Bologna in about three weeks time. The advantage of such a schedule is that rivals will drop points against one another. For example, if Sassuolo (20th) beat Bologna (17th) points will be dropped from either side. If Sassuolo drop the points then they are less of a threat, and if the Rossoblu lose then Livorno will leapfrog Ballardini’s men.
The reason I’m focusing a lot on the next five games is that now is the time to stabilise the mentality of the side and aim to get results in order to leave room for mistake. If the Amaranto fail to make use of the upcoming schedule and their current form, then this will make things arduous. After the Atalanta game which will be played on the 26th of March, Di Carlo’s men will come up against in-form teams, Serie A giants, or relegation rivals.
Livorno’s games after Atalanta are Inter (H), Juventus (A), Chievo (H), AC Milan (A), Lazio (H), Udinese (A), Fiorentina (H), Parma (A).
As we can see, the fixture list is extremely tough. If the players aren’t prepared, aren’t believing and are still fighting to climb above the relegation zone this could bring about catastrophic results, especially when up against giants of the Italian game.
It’s going to be a tough, long fight and in the end the fittest will prevail. Whether Livorno are one of the ones who will survive is unknown, but what is 100% true though is that they have all the ingredients to make it happen.
Follow Ahmed Assem on Twitter: @CalcioTown
