Serie C 23/24: Triestina 0-1 Padova
In front of a thrilling crowd of over 13,000 spectators, Triestina closed out the first half of the season by hosting unbeaten Padova in a clash for second place behind leaders Mantova. Tesser had to do without the suspended Correia, replacing him with Fofana, and gave Pavlev a chance on the left defensive flank, otherwise confirming the lineup used against Novara. Torrente, on the other hand, stuck with the eleven that convincingly beat Fiorenzuola, relying on the attacking duo of Bortolussi and Liguori.
The match kicked off with intense action right from the start. After just 1 minute, Delli Carri made a dangerously high tackle on Lescano, hitting him square on the shin, but no sanction followed. The visitors maintained a high tempo and physicality, but Triestina gradually took control of the match. The first big chance came in the 15th minute when Vallocchia unleashed a powerful shot from the left side of the midfield, narrowly missed by Redan in an excellent position. At the 20-minute mark, Lescano aimed a shot from the edge of the area, forcing Donnarumma into a fingertip save that went unnoticed by the first assistant.
During the middle of the first half, Triestina dominated possession and territory, with Padova retreating into their own half, looking for counterattack opportunities. The hosts camped around the visitors' penalty area, creating a tense moment ten minutes before the break when Germano clashed with Donnarumma in the six-yard box.
After a long spell of dominance by Triestina, Padova attempted a breakout in the 42nd minute with a Bortolussi header that Matosevic watched go just wide. Triestina had a great chance in the 44th minute when Redan held up the ball in the box and laid it off to Celeghin, whose powerful left-footed shot was instinctively saved by Donnarumma.
The first half ended with Triestina gradually taking control, creating at least two significant opportunities to take the lead.
The second half began scrappily with three yellow cards and little action for 11 minutes until Padova took the lead. Liguori scored a stunning overhead kick that left Matosevic helpless, though the play was contentious due to an uncalled push by Liguori on Malomo, despite referee Scatena being very close. Padova grew in confidence, with Fusi's left-footed shot going just a meter wide of Matosevic's right post in the 21st minute.
Padova came close to doubling their lead in the 22nd minute with Villa's low cross from the left finding Liguori in the center of the area, whose shot was blocked decisively by Pavlev. Triestina nearly equalized in the 25th minute when Pavlev's wide cross from the left was nodded down by El Azrak, and Adorante found himself with the ball in the six-yard box after a miss by Perrotta, but Donnarumma somehow managed to clear the danger. A brawl erupted in the 27th minute after Triestina failed to return the ball; two Padova players shoved Vallocchia to the ground, and Redan retaliated by pushing Varas, resulting in a red card for the Dutch striker, leaving Triestina with ten men for nearly 20 minutes.
A scare for Triestina's defense came 12 minutes from time when a low cross from Villa on the left edge was accidentally deflected by Moretti, with the ball skimming the post. Triestina pushed hard but Padova used their numerical advantage and frequent stoppages to maintain their lead, ultimately securing the three points with a controversial but brilliant goal by Liguori.
Triestina 0-1 Padova
Scorers: 56' Liguori
Triestina (4-3-1-2): Matosevic; Germano, Malomo (62' Moretti), Struna, Pavlev; Celeghin, Fofana, Vallocchia (83' Finotto); D'Urso(68' El Azrak), Redan, Lescano (68' Adorante).
Substitutes: Diakite, Agostino, Gündüz, Anzolin, Ciofani, Kacinari, Rizzo, Pierobon.
Manager: Attilio Tesser
Padova (3-5-2-): Donnarumma; Belli, Delli Carri, Perrotta; Capelli (77' Kirwan), Fusi (77' Dezi), Radrezza, Varas, Villa (91' Favale); Liguori, Bortolussi (83' Palombi).
Substitutes: Rossi, Zanellati, Crescenzi, Bianchi, Granata, Calabrese, Toldo.
Manager: Vincenzo Torrente
