Playoff Serie C 23/24: Triestina 1-1 Giana Erminio

High stakes night at the Rocco as Triestina hosted Giana Erminio in the second round of the playoff group stage. Bordin opted for a 3-5-2 formation with El Azrak given freedom to operate between the lines, Germano and Pavlev on the flanks, and Minesso and Vertainen forming the attacking duo. The visitors lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Marotta and Pinto as the midfield shield in front of the defense, while Lamesta, Franzoni, and Mbarick Fall supported the dangerous Maguette Fall in attack.

The match kicked off at a good pace from both sides, with the first real chance coming for Triestina in the 5th minute. Pavlev collected a pass from El Azrak, who had pushed the ball too far while trying to dribble past the onrushing Zacchi. From the left edge of the box, Pavlev's cross-shot forced the Giana keeper to tip the ball over the bar for a corner. Giana tried to gain control and possession, while Triestina remained cautious, looking for the right moment to counter-attack. The lively start transitioned into a more stagnant phase.

Triestina got a huge chance from a set-piece in the 21st minute. El Azrak's corner found Vertainen, who headed the ball across the goal, but Minesso, off-balance, headed wide from close range. In the 25th minute, Correia made a brilliant move on the right byline, delivering a low cross that flashed across the six-yard box without finding a teammate. Germano then tried a long-range effort in the 28th minute, but his shot drifted about a meter wide to Zacchi's left.

Triestina created several promising opportunities in Giana's area but hesitated to shoot, running into Giana's defensive wall. Meanwhile, Giana sent a few dangerous balls into Triestina's box but failed to trouble Agostino, with the first half ending goalless.

In the second half, the visitors maintained possession with territorial dominance, albeit rather ineffectively. Triestina remained vigilant and focused on not conceding space but struggled to launch counter-attacks. The first real scare of the second half came in the 68th minute from a corner. Franzoni's left-footed strike in a scramble was ruled out for offside by the referee well before the ball reached the net.

Triestina's first real chance of the second half arrived in the 74th minute. Germano delivered a wide cross from the right to find Pavlev at the far post, but his header from a tight angle missed the target. In the 81st minute, there was controversy in Triestina's box as the referee whistled for offside after Maguette Fall was brought down. However, after a long VAR review, a penalty was awarded to the visitors. Maguette Fall stepped up and coolly slotted it past Agostino, giving Giana the lead.

The advantage lasted only three minutes. Vallocchia's corner was met by a powerful header from Malomo, who leveled the score, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. In the lengthy stoppage time, the substitute Verde nearly scored, but Agostino made a reactive save. A dramatic moment followed from the ensuing corner, as Verde's scrambled effort trickled towards the goal, hit the inside of the post, and Agostino made a heroic save before the ball crossed the line.

This is the final episode of an otherwise cagey match that suddenly bursted into life in the closing stages, with the visitors' lead, Malomo's emphatic equalizer, and the last-second scare. Triestina qualified for the first round of the playoff national phase.

Triestina 1-1 Giana Erminio

Scorers: Ma. Fall 83' rig., Malomo 86'


Triestina (3-4-1-2): Agostino; Moretti, Malomo, Rizzo; Germano, Correia, Vallocchia (92' Petrasso), Pavlev; El Azrak (55' Fofana), Minesso (89' Ballarini), Vertainen (55' Lescano).
Substitutes: Matosevic, Diakite, Gündüz, Anzolin, Struna, Redan, Ciofani, Jonsson, Celeghin, D'Urso.
Manager: Roberto Bordin

Giana Erminio (4-2-3-1): Zacchi; Caferri, Corno (89' Perna), Minotti (92' Verde), Groppelli (89' Messaggi); Marotta, Pinto (89' Ballabio); Lamesta, Franzoni, Mb. Fall (85' Piazza), Ma. Fall.
Substitutes: Pirola, Magni, Acella, Francolini, Previtali, Barzotti, Tasca.
Manager: Andrea Chiappella