Serie C 23/24: Novara 2-3 Triestina

Second-to-last match of the first half of the season for Triestina, taking on the tricky away game at Novara's Stadio Piola. The hosts were unbeaten in five games and eager to celebrate the arrival of their new ownership, which took over during the week. Triestina looked to build on their victory over Giana and maintain their gap from the top of the standings.

In Attilio Tesser's 4-3-1-2 formation, Struna returned to the starting lineup in defense, Pierobon replaced the suspended Vallocchia in midfield, and the Lescano-Redan duo was supported by D'Urso. For the hosts, Bertoncini was out, but Gattuso recovered Khailoti in defense. D'Orazio and Scappini started on the bench, while confidence was placed in Corti at the center of the attack.

Novara started aggressively, but the first real chance fell to Triestina in the 13th minute. Correia found Pierobon in the box with a great pass, but his left-footed shot from a tight angle went over the bar. Two minutes later, Triestina took the lead, with D'Urso delivering an inswinging corner and Celeghin heading in powerfully at the near post, despite Desjardins' attempt to save it.

Triestina seemed to have control of the match, but the hosts equalized midway through the half. Urso's cross from the left is deflected by Struna and finished from close range by Corti. Triestina seeked an immediate response in the 25th minute, with Celeghin's powerful left-footed shot from 20 meters tipped over the bar by Desjardins. In the 27th minute, D'Urso's soft cross to the back post found Pierobon, whose volley is saved by the ‘keeper.

After a quarter of an hour of balanced play, Calcagni tried from distance in the 42nd minute. Matosevic parried the awkward shot, and Malomo cleared the danger. Triestina finished the first half on the attack but failed to find the decisive goal, leaving the game level at half time after Novara's determined equalizer.

In the second half, Triestina had an early chance from a corner in the 5th minute. D'Urso's cross was headed on by Struna, but Correia's close-range attempt missed the ball due to a clever hold by a defender. In the 9th minute, D'Urso delivered a great ball to Redan in the box, whose left-footed shot to the near post was pushed wide by Desjardins. Triestina dominated, but as in the first half, Novara created a dangerous moment in the 17th minute, with Urso's shot forcing Matosevic to dive and tip it over the bar.

Triestina regained control and pinned Novara back in their own half, sending several crosses into the box. In one of these instances midway through the half, Bonaccorsi nearly scored an own goal, heading just over the bar. However, danger lurked, and Novara earned a penalty from a corner after Malomo fouled Donadio. Scappini converted from the spot in the 32nd minute.

With 9 minutes remaining, Finotto's low shot from inside the box was saved by Desjardins, and Adorante failed to score on the rebound amid dubious defending. In the 43rd minute, Pavlev's cross-shot from the left corner forced Desjardins to palm it away. Entering the 6 minutes of stoppage time, Triestina's relentless pressure paid off when Finotto slotted a left-footed shot past Desjardins from inside the box after a great pass from Correia.

Triestina's determination and desire to overturn the result culminated in the 95th minute. Malomo sent it into the top corner during a scramble from a corner, sparking wild celebrations among the traveling fans. A thrilling comeback rewarded the team that attacked the most and believed the most. Triestina left the Piola with an exhilarating comeback victory and three crucial points to continue their pursuit.

Novara 2-3 Triestina

Scorers: 15' Celeghin, 24' Corti, 77' Scappini rig., 92' Finotto, 95' Malomo

Novara (3-4-1-2): Desjardins; Bonaccorsi, Di Munno, Khailoti; Migliardi (63' Scaringi), Calcagni (89' Prinelli), Ranieri, Urso; Speranza (75' Bagatti), Donadio, Corti (75' Scappini).
Substitutes: Boscolo Palo, Menegaldo, Gerbino, Martinazzo, D'Orazio.
Manager: Giacomo Gattuso

Triestina (4-3-1-2): Matosevic; Germano, Struna, Malomo, Anzolin (70' Pavlev); Celeghin (74' El Azrak), Correia, Pierobon (63' Fofana); D'Urso, Redan (74' Finotto), Lescano (63' Adorante).
Substitutes: Diakite, Agostino, Gündüz, Ciofani, Kacinari, Moretti.
Manager: Attilio Tesser