Playoff Serie C: Triestina 1-1 Benevento

National playoff phase underway and for Triestina, a match as challenging as it is compelling as they host Benevento, managed by Auteri, who finished third in Group C. Bordin fielded D'Urso and Redan up front from the start, with Petrasso on the left flank and Struna returning in the center of the defensive trio. Benevento played a 3-4-1-2, relying on Talia and Nardi for creativity, while Pinato supported the striking duo of Lanini and Ferrante.

A promising start with Triestina dictating play and Benevento threatening on the counter. Triestina's first attempt came in the 15th minute, a low shot from Correia narrowly wide left of the goal. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute as Redan finished off a beautiful team play, deceiving Paleari with a clever low shot into the bottom right corner to give the hosts the lead.

Benevento's defense was shaken again in the 28th minute when Petrasso nearly curled in a left-footed free kick from 25 meters, just missing the top corner. Two minutes later, a clear-cut chance for Triestina: a swift counter orchestrated by D'Urso and Vallocchia, resulting in a penalty appeal after Vallocchia was brought down in the box. Germano struck the loose ball towards goal but hit the post. Triestina came close again to doubling their lead in the 34th minute when Vallocchia unleashed a thunderous shot from 25 meters, rattling the crossbar with Paleari once again unable to intervene.

The excellent performance continued with another chance from D'Urso and Petrasso combination in the 36th minute, but Redan's close-range effort was saved by Paleari. Benevento tried to push forward but Triestina defended resolutely, entering half time with a one-goal lead that could have been more, after hitting the woodwork twice.

The second half began with an immediate attacking move from Triestina, but D'Urso's shot from outside the box narrowly missed the target. Benevento gained more possession without creating clear chances, while Triestina defended well and lacked precision on potential counter-attacks. Benevento, however, equalized with their first meaningful shot on goal, a superb curling effort from Lanini from the left corner of the box in the 31st minute.

Benevento pressed towards the end and almost took the lead in stoppage time in the 93rd minute with a low shot by Ciciretti, brilliantly saved by Matosevic. In the final moments of stoppage time, Benevento would have found a late winner, but the action was halted due to a foul committed by Rizzo. This concluded a match where Triestina dominated the first half and deservedly could have led by more, while Benevento grew stronger in the second half, threatening mostly in the last 15 minutes and leveling the score with Lanini's excellent strike.

Triestina 1-1 Benevento

Scorers: Redan 25', Lanini 76'

Triestina (3-4-2-1): Agostino (60' Matosevic); Malomo, Struna (81' Ciofani), Rizzo; Germano, Correia, Vallocchia, Petrasso (81' Anzolin); D'Urso (67' Ballarini), Minesso (67' El Azrak), Redan.
Substitutes: Diakite, Gündüz, Lescano, Jonsson, Fofana, Celeghin, Crosara, Moretti, Pavlev, Vertainen.
Manager: Roberto Bordin

Benevento (3-4-1-2): Paleari; Capellini, Berra, Viscardi; Improta, Talia (74' Perlingieri), Nardi (81' Agazzi), Simonetti (81' Meccariello); Pinato, Ferrante (60' Ciciretti), Lanini (81' Bolsius).
Substitutes: Manfredini, Giangregorio, Masciangelo, Karic, Kubica, Marotta, Ciano, Rillo, Starita, Carfora.
Manager: Gaetano Auteri