Gozzano vs Sanremese - Serie D - Girone A

All eyes turn to the home ground on September 27, 2026 as Gozzano welcome Sanremese in a Serie D - Girone A encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. Anderson was pointing out that City had held the whip hand in this fixture "for as long as I've known", which isn't exactly inaccurate but will also fan the flames ahead of Sunday's Old Trafford showdown.

Both camps will view the Serie D - Girone A meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. It has been a torrid run for the hosts, DLLLL in their last five and a season win rate of just 0% that has the alarm bells ringing. Sanremese have struggled to string results together away from home, DLWL over their last five with a win rate of 25%. Goals could be in short supply or plentiful — Gozzano average 0 per game to Sanremese's 1.25, and that gap may dictate the rhythm of the contest. If you're Arsenal and wanting to win the Premier League, and you take six points off those teams, then you're near-on winning the Premier League.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Gozzano may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Sanremese have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. It isn't clear yet that this will definitely be a winger, with Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana flexible over their attack.

In fixtures as finely poised as this one, it often comes down to who holds their nerve in the big moments — and both camps have players who relish that responsibility. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. He also played predominantly as a right winger or shadow striker for Juve.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. Whatever the outcome, the Serie D - Girone A fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. Manchester City will begin another Premier League season with major uncertainty hanging over the club after league chief executive Richard Masters admitted the long-awaited verdict on their financial case has taken longer than expected.