Real Forio, the league leaders defend their stronghold: Sessana arrives at the "Calise" stadium.

On the twelfth day of the Eccellenza championship, league leaders Real Forio return to Calise: in this afternoon's match, the team coached by Carlo Sanchez awaits Sessana. The league leaders, still undefeated after eleven matches and fresh from a stunning victory in Quarto, are aiming for another win to keep their rivals at bay and maintain a lead over their closest rivals. The gap between them and their nearest rivals in the standings is twenty points: a team—the yellow and blue—arrives on the island, chasing precious points to secure survival.

On paper, it might seem like a close call, but in reality, it's more tricky than it seems. Real Forio has proven to be the most complete and consistent team in the tournament so far, but concentration remains a key factor, especially against opponents who come into the game with nothing to lose.

"The biggest mistake would be to underestimate the challenges, which fortunately this team has never done. But it's true that when you win a lot and have the burden of knowing you're stronger than many opponents, you risk relaxing. There's no point in beating around the bush here: we're very strong and we have to prove it in every match. It's a burden because you know you're playing in games where everyone expects you to win. To handle this burden, you have to maintain tension, calm, and serenity, give everything for yourself and for the team, in order to bring home the result," Sanchez explained at the press conference.

Fourth-last in the standings, they have nine points after eleven matches: one win, six draws, and four defeats. They have the worst attack in the league, having scored just six goals (an average of 0.54 goals per game), but at the same time have the best defense in the tournament, having conceded only eight goals (an average of 0.72 per game), tied with Boys Caivanese, the second-placed team in the group and Real Forio's closest rivals.

Their only league win came away from home, at Santa Maria la Carità. In their other four away games, Sessana recorded two draws and two defeats, while still demonstrating a solid defense. In their last match, they lost 1-0 at home to Puteolana, a result that confirmed the Gialloblù team's offensive struggles but also their defensive resilience.

"Sessana is a tough opponent. The standings aren't accurate: they're in the last positions, but at the same time, they boast the best defense in the group. They don't score much, but they're a well-organized team and difficult to face. On Saturday, we'll have to play with focus, aggression, determination, and above all, quality. It will be crucial to demonstrate our strength," said Sanchez.

Sanchez is back with Mattera, who has served his suspension and will partner Velotti in the back line, protecting Delizia's goal (who remains a starter, given Santaniello's injury). Pistola is expected to start on the left flank, with Florio on the opposite flank. In midfield, alongside the usual Di Lorenzo and Tarascio, Iaccarino and Di Meglio are competing for the midfield spot, in a tight race to complete the midfield trio. Up front, Santiago is in pole position to lead the attack, while the three-way competition between Serrano, Castagna, and Yeboah for the two starting spots continues on either side. Among the twenty-three players named by Coach Sanchez for the match against Calise is the very young goalkeeper Iacono, further demonstrating the coach's focus on the youth sector. The match will be refereed by Daniele Di Iorio of the Ercolano section, assisted by Pasquale Cifariello (Ercolano) and Davide Del Prete (Frattamaggiore).