Serie C 23/24: Mantova 2-1 Triestina

Triestina traveled to the home of league leaders Mantova, marking a significant debut for their new coach, Roberto Bordin. After a turbulent week, Triestina needed a strong response, especially given the caliber of their opponents, who were looking to bounce back from an unexpected defeat at AlbinoLeffe.

Bordin opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Ciofani and Moretti at center-back, due to the absences of Struna and Malomo. Pavlev and Anzolin took the flanks, with Correia and Vallocchia in midfield, and D'Urso slightly advanced. The attacking trio consisted of Redan and El Azrak on the wings, with Lescano as the central striker. Mantova relied on the experience of Burrai in midfield, a four-man defense led by Redolfi and Brignani, and a trio of Galuppini, Bragantini, and Fiori supporting former Triestina player Mensah.

The hosts dominated possession early on, with Triestina holding back and quickly countering, particularly through Pavlev on the right. However, his crosses failed to find the target. Mantova took the lead in the 9th minute when Mensah headed in a cross from Celesia at the far post. Mantova gained momentum and forced Matosevic into a save from a long-range effort by Galuppini in the 12th minute. From the resulting corner, Brignani doubled the lead with a powerful header from Burrai's out-swinging delivery.

Triestina tried to push forward and had a couple of shots around the 20th minute through Correia and Vallocchia, but Mantova's defense blocked their attempts before Festa was called into action. In the 28th minute, Triestina threatened with a low pass from El Azrak to Vallocchia, whose first-time shot was blocked by Brignani.

Mantova launched a dangerous attack in the 30th minute, culminating in a shot from Radaelli in the box, which Matosevic saved. Inthe 35th minute, Triestina broke out of Mantova's press well but failed to capitalize in the final third. Vallocchia then volleyed wide from a Pavlev cross in the 38th minute.

Triestina kept Mantova pinned in their own half but risked leaving spaces for quick counterattacks. Correia's left-footed shot from a good position was saved low by Festa in the 43rd minute. The first half ended with Mantova comfortably ahead, having taken advantage of their strong start.

In the second half, Mantova slowed the game down, but Triestina had a golden chance in the 52nd minute. Vallocchia's free-kick found Lescano at the far post, who narrowly missed the target with Festa out of the picture. Mantova barely managed to clear a dangerous low cross from Pavlev in the 62nd minute, followed by Bragantini's solo run and shot, which Matosevic saved. Moretti then blocked Fiori's shot from a great position a minute later.

Matosevic made a fingertip save to deny Radaelli's volley in the 63rd minute. From the ensuing corner, Brignani headed over from Trimboli's cross. In the 70th minute, a poor clearance from Burrai gave Lescano a shot from the edge of the box, which Festa saved with a dive. Shortly before the 75th minute, Moretti's long-range effort narrowly missed the crossbar.

Triestina halved the deficit with 4 minutes remaining. Minesso earned a penalty, which Festa saved, but Celeghin scored on the rebound amidst confusion about the final touch. Triestina pressed for an equalizer, with Anzolin's header from Pavlev's cross going wide. In the 4 minutes of stoppage time, Mantova effectively ran down the clock, securing a narrow victory. Triestina fought hard in the second half but couldn't complete the comeback.

Mantova 2-1 Triestina

Scorers: 9' Mensah, 13' Brignani, 86' Celeghin

Mantova (4-2-3-1): Festa; Radaelli (74' Maggioni), Redolfi, Brignani, Celesia; Trimboli, Burrai; Bragantini (74' Debenedetti), Galuppini (82' Wieser), Fiori (65' Bombagi); Mensah (74' Monachello).
Substitutes: Sonzogni, Bani, Fedel, Napoli, Argint, Muroni, De Maio, Giacomelli.
Manager: Davide Possanzini

Triestina (4-3-3): Matosevic; Pavlev, Ciofani, Moretti, Anzolin; D'Urso (58' Minesso), Correia (65' Celeghin), Vallocchia (58' Fofana); Redan (58' Rizzo), Lescano (79' Vertainen), El Azrak.
Substitutes: Diakite, Agostino, Gündüz, Germano, Kacinari, Ogliari, Petrasso, Crosara.
Manager: Roberto Bordin