SPEZIA CALCIO NEWS

David Strelec - Quiet against Genoa Strelec (foot) created one scoring chance, won one tackle and had one interception in 51 minutes in Thursday's 1-2 loss to Genoa.

Impact Strelec drew the start considering their other absences up front, but he did not do a whole. Starters Rey Manaj and M'Bala Nzola are likely tor return for Sunday's road game versus Genoa and that will impact his role.

JANUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Simone Bastoni - Fills stat sheet in loss Bastoni had two off-target shots, created four chances, sent in five crosses (two accurate), made four clearances and drew two fouls during Thursday's 2-1 loss against Verona.

Impact Bastoni was everywhere his side needed him to be on both ends of the pitch, which included an season high in tackles. Regardless of the position he's deployed at, the versatile veteran will try to remain productive during Sunday's visit to Genoa.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Erlic - Scores in loss Erlic scored a goal off four shots (two on goal) and made two tackles (one won), five clearances, one interception and two blocks during Thursday's 2-1 win over Spezia.

Impact Erlic had a solid performance at the heart of the defense, pacing his side in clearances and still found room to contribute on the offensive end, heading home a corner from the right after the opposing defense failed to clear the ball in the 85th minute. This was the the first goal of the season for the youngster, who'll probably remain the the lineup for Sunday's visit to Genoa.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ivan Provedel - Concedes two in loss Provedel made three saves and conceded two goals during Thursday's 2-1 loss against Verona.

Impact Provedel made a couple of nice interventions during the opening frame, but couldn't do much to prevent Gianluca Caprari from scoring twice during the second half. With 54 saves, 22 goals conceded and just two clean sheets during his 13 starts this season, the goalkeeper will try to keep it up during Sunday's visit to Genoa.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rey Manaj - Clears COVID-19 protocol Manaj was allowed to return to practice Friday after testing negative for COVID-19, Spezia announced.

Impact Manaj was one of the four Spezia players that contacted Coronavirus during the break. He had started five matches in a row before the infection, tallying one goal, 16 shots, two chances and two crosses. Spezia will face Genoa away Sunday.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

M'bala Nzola - Shakes off COVID-19 Nzola returned to practice Friday, Spezia announced.

Impact Nzola tested positive after going on vacation and was sidelined for the previous game. He is set to be an option for Sunday's away fixtures versus Genoa. He has logged two shots, one assist, eight shots and six chances in the last five matches, but his spot in the XI is not super secure.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Viktor Kovalenko - Returns to practice Kovalenko cleared the COVID-19 protocol and resumed training Friday, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko should resume being an option in Sunday's away game versus Genoa. He has split time with Simone Bastoni in recent games. He has logged six chances, six crosses and six tackles in the last five appearances.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Petko Hristov - Clears COVID-19 protocol Hristov (COVID-19) returned to practice Friday, Spezia announced.

Impact Hristov tested positive during the holidays and missed the previous game. He will resume backing up their other center-backs. He has featured just three times in the last ten matches as they have been relatively healthy at the position. Spezia will face Genoa away Sunday.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Agudelo - Sent off against Verona Agudelo won one of two tackles, drew one foul and received a straight red card in Thursday's 1-2 loss to Verona.

Impact Agudelo did not do much despite getting the second start in a row, and saw red for a dangerous tackle as he hit an opponent in the back while trying to latch onto a ball in the air. He will be suspended for Sunday's game versus Genoa, where Daniele Verde or Janis Antiste will get the start.

JANUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

David Strelec - Starting against Verona Strelec (foot) has been named in the XI to face Verona Thursday.

Impact Strelec missed one game before the break but got healthy during the time off. He will lead the frontline alongside Kevin Agudelo since their other strikers are unavailable. He has posted one goal, four shots, six chances and five crosses in nine appearances so far.

JANUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Daniele Verde - Shakes off injury Verde (thigh) has been included in Spezia's squad list to face Verona Thursday.

Impact Verde will be available after sitting out two matches due to an undisclosed muscular problem. The coach has preferred to bring him off the bench lately. He has logged two shots, three chances and 15 crosses in the last six matches (two starts). He will be in the mix with Kevin Agudelo and Eddie Salcedo.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

David Strelec - Will be option against Verona Strelec (foot) has been called up for Thursday's game versus Verona.

Impact Strelec missed some time before the break due to foot soreness, but he shook it off during the break. He has solid chances to start since starters Rey Manaj and M'Bala Nzola are out with COVID-19. He has scored once and posted four shots, six chances and five crosses in eight games.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jacopo Sala - Available versus Verona Sala (calf) has been named in Spezia's squad list to face Verona Thursday.

Impact Sala sat out two matches before the break with a calf pull, but the problem was not overly concerning. He generally started over Mehdi Bourabia and Jakub Kiwior before getting hurt. He has tallied five chances, 17 tackles and ten clearances in 12 matches so far.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mehdi Bourabia - Called up for Verona game Bourabia (calf) has been named in Spezia's squad list to face Verona Thursday.

Impact Bourabia missed some time before the break due to a lingering calf problem, but he has gotten healthy during the break. He will be in contention to start with Jacopo Sala and Jakub Kiwior. he has logged two chances, three crosses, five tackles and ten clearances in six games so far.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Eddie Salcedo - Resumes training fully Salcedo (knee) was able to practice with no limitation Sunday, Spezia announced.

Impact Salcedo has not played in the past month first because of a coach's decision and then due to knee soreness. Despite that, he could have a big role right away since starters M'Bala Nzola and Rey Manaj contracted COVID-19, Daniele Verde is banged up and Ebrima Colley will partake in AFCON. He will be in the mix to start with Janis Antiste, Kevin Agudelo and Suf Podgoreanu. He has tallied 14 shots, five chances and 11 crosses in nine appearances (five starts).

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ebrima Colley - Will partake in AFCON Colley has been called up by Gambia for the African Cup of Nations.

Impact Colley will miss the next four Serie A fixtures. With M'Bala Nzola and Rey Manaj currently dealing with COVID, Spezia will be depleted offensively at the start of January. The next men up are Janis Antiste, Daniele Verde and Eddie Salcedo.

JANUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

M'bala Nzola - Tests positive for Coronavirus Nzola has tested positive for COVID-19 before the team re-started to train following the break, Il Secolo XIX reports.

Impact Nzola has a shot of getting out of isolation before the next game on January 6th's, but the lack of practice could be an issue. Rey Manaj tested positive as well. The next men up in the Spezia attack would be Janis Antiste, Eddie Salcedo and Ebrima Colley.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Petko Hristov - Contracts Coronavirus Hristov has tested positive for COVID-19 after reporting back to Italy and is asymptomatic, Il Secolo XIX reports.

Impact Hristov will try to shake it off in time for January 6th's game versus Verona, although he could be held out due to conditioning issues at that point. He has been a reserve in recent matches since starters Martin Erlic and Dimitris Nikoloau were both been available.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rey Manaj - Tests positive for COVID-19 Manaj has contracted Coronavirus while on vacation, Il Secolo XIX informs.

Impact Manaj posted a positive swab before the team resumed practicing. While he could technically clear the protocol before January 6th's match with Verona, the lack of training might force him to miss the match. Fellow striker M'Bala Nzola is in the same situation, therefore Spezia might have to lean other other offensive options.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Viktor Kovalenko - Tests positive for COVID-19 Kovalenko contracted Coronavirus while on vacation, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko tested positive before the team resumed practicing following the break. He has about a week to try clearing the protocol before January 6th's match against Verona. He has alternated with Simone Bastoni in the midfield in recent games.

DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ivan Provedel - Shines versus Napoli Provedel had six saves, two clearances and one punch while keeping a clean sheet in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Napoli.

Impact Provedel once again logged a high number of saves and for once he successfully managed to blank the opponents. It is just the second time he manages since taking over the starting job. He has allowed 20 games and made 51 saves in 12 matches. Spezia will host Verona on January 6th.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Erlic - Shows well in Napoli clash Erlic had four blocks, two interceptions and one clearance and won three duels in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Napoli.

Impact Erlic was one of the main responsible for Spezia coming away with a clean sheet and a surprise win in a difficult match-up. He has recorded ten tackles, nine interceptions, 48 clearances and 16 blocks in 12 matches. Spezia will host Verona on January 6th.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dimitrios Nikolaou - Fares well versus Napoli Nikolaou won two of two tackles and five duels and had six clearances and one interception in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Napoli.

Impact Nikalou helped shut out Napoli with an attentive display in the back. He has posted 22 tackles, 23 interceptions and 63 clearances in 17 matches, with two clean sheets. Spezia will host Verona on January 6th.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jakub Kiwior - Works hard against Napoli Kiwior had two interceptions and five clearances, drew two fouls and wn seven duels in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Napoli.

Impact Kiwior has been playing as a pivot lately with Jacopo Sala and Mehdi Bourabia both on the mend, and he has held his own. He has posted seven tackles, seven interceptions and 14 blocks in four appearances. The teammates are not dealing with major problems and will likely be available for the first game after the winter break. Spezia will host Verona on January 6th.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Simone Bastoni - Productive against Napoli Bastoni took one off-target shot, sent in eight crosses (one accurate), created three scoring chances and had three successful take-ons in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Napoli.

Impact Bastoni took a hit when Arkadiusz Reca shook off his injuries, but the two featured together in the past two matches, with Bastoni moving to a different role and supplanting Viktor Kovalenko. He had come off the bench in three games prior to that. He has generally been effective when called upon, tallying two goals, two assists, 28 chances and 62 crosses in 18 appearances (15 starts), but he is no longer a sure-fire starter like earlier in the season. Spezia will host Verona on January 6th.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE