Relegation and bankruptcy in the World Cup final: the horror Sunday of the Esposito brothers

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The Esposito family is a real football family. The three Salvatore brothers, Sebastiano and Francesco, all play football at the highest level. At the weekend, however, the three youngsters experience a day they will not soon forget.

Sunday became the big decision day for the brothers, and it all went haywire. Sebastiano (20), who went on a goal hunt for FC Basel from 2021 to 2022, had to play against Cagliari with his AS Bari in the promotion matches to Serie A.

Last minute drama and handball on the line

After the first leg finished 1-1 and Sunday’s second leg was 0-0 until the final minutes, everything looked like Bari would rise due to their better place in the table. In the 94th minute, Cagliari scored with legendary coach Claudio Ranieri (71) to make it 1-0 – sending Bari into the valley of tears. Sebastiano Esposito had already been substituted at the time of the goal and now faces a new season in Serie B.

There he will meet his older brother Salvatore (22). Because he has to get out of the upper house together with Spezia Calcio. The Ligurian club met Hellas Verona in the Serie A play-offs (tied between 17th and 18th places on points) and lost 3-1.

Particularly bitter: after 68 minutes, a Verona defender prevented the safe connection goal with his hand. Spezia missed the logical penalty, it remained at 1:3. Esposito was substituted after 83 minutes.

Bankruptcy in the World Cup final

Last but not least, the youngest brother Francesco (17) was not spared. The striker, who plays for Inter Milan’s youth team, reached the World Cup final with Italy’s U20 team. The Italians lost 1-0 to the young people of Uruguay, the winning goal fell just before the end. Francesco came on as a substitute and witnessed the goal conceded on the pitch.

This is how Uruguay was crowned U20 world champion for the first time – and another Esposito lost on this black Sunday. (byl)

Source : Blick