The Serie D championship enters its most intense phase with the big match everyone has been waiting for: Forlì and Ravenna FC face off in a game that could prove decisive for the promotion race. With seven matchdays still to go, the standings see Forlì at the top, two points ahead of the Giallorossi, who are coming off their triumph in the Coppa Italia.
Miramari’s team arrives at this clash after an extraordinary run: since the defeat in the first-leg derby, Ravenna has collected only victories, with the sole exception of a slip against Zenith Prato. In the last round, the Giallorossi came close to a shock defeat against the Tuscan side at the Benelli, but managed to turn the result around thanks to Guida’s decisive strike in the final minutes. Forlì, on the other hand, has strung together an impressive series of seven consecutive wins without conceding a goal, confirming themselves as a solid and clinical team.
Another factor to consider is the differing build-up to the match: the home side, due to the break for the Viareggio Tournament, have not played in 15 days, while Ravenna arrives with morale sky-high after winning the Coppa Italia in Teramo ten days ago.
The Morgagni will be packed for the occasion: a full house is expected. The visual impact will be especially impressive in the away section, as the 870 tickets available to Giallorossi fans were sold out in just 40 minutes, and demand would have been much higher if capacity had allowed.
Regarding the squads, Ravenna can finally count on their entire roster. Marchionni has the full group back, although it’s easy to predict that Ilari and Mereghetti may still have limited stamina after their recent injuries. An additional resource for a team preparing for the most important match of the season.
Expectations are sky-high: Forlì-Ravenna FC is not just a derby, it is a match that could make history in the championship.