Serie C 2024/25: Triestina 0-1 Caldiero Terme

Both sides had the common goal to bounce back from their respective defeats in the last round. Triestina and Caldiero Terme faced off at Stadio Rocco in what marked a historic first-ever visit for the Verona-based side. Triestina, still dealing with several injuries, was under pressure to respond after a disappointing night against Union Clodiense.

Santoni had limited options due to injuries and international call-ups but welcomed the return of Braima in midfield and Struna, though not at full fitness, in defense. Up front, Vertainen was given the nod from the start, supported by El Azrak and D'Urso. Frare and Ballarini were named on the bench for the first time this season. Caldiero Terme, missing Quaggio, still provided plenty of selection options for Soave. Molnar’s experience anchored the defense, with Marras starting from the off, alongside Cazzadori, the recently named Player of the Month for Group A, partnering Zerbato in attack.

Just after kickoff, the visitors took the lead. Marras cut inside from 20 meters out and sent an unstoppable left-footed strike under the bar. Two minutes later, Caldiero Terme nearly doubled their advantage. Roos was forced into an excellent save to deny a Molnar header from a corner. Triestina tried to react but left themselves vulnerable to dangerous counterattacks. In the 10th minute, Fasan found Zerbato free in the box, but the forward mishit his shot, sending it into the side netting. El Azrak attempted to spark a comeback with a free kick from mid-range in the 14th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar. Three minutes later, Giacomel made a stunning save, tipping a Vertainen header wide after a cross from D’Urso on the left flank.

In the 25th minute, a brilliant move by Triestina saw El Azrak play D'Urso through on goal, but his low strike lacked power and was blocked by the visiting ‘keeper. In the 27th minute, a clear foul on Vertainen in the box went unpunished by the referee, and the frustration grew at the half-hour mark when Voca's shot from inside the area was handled by a defender, but play continued. Giacomel proved decisive once more in the 35th minute, tipping D’Urso’s dangerous shot-cross from the left corner for a corner. Moments later, another excellent save, tipping over a powerful strike from Voca just outside the box. Despite a slow start that resulted in an early deficit, Triestina create multiple chances but fail to score the equalizer before the break.

Triestina came out strong in the second half, seeking an equalizer and nearly finding it in the 8th minute. Vertainen’s header from an El Azrak cross narrowly sailed over the bar. Correia came even closer a minute later with a left-footed effort from the edge of the box, but the ball went just over. In the 13th minute, Cazzadori tried to relieve the pressure with a header that looped over Roos but landed on the roof of the net. Triestina came inches from equalizing in the 18th minute when Correia broke into the box and cut the ball back for D'Urso, only for Molnar to make a miraculous sliding interception. The hosts continued to push for a goal in the 21st minute when El Azrak intercepted a poor clearance from Giacomel and fired a shot from 40 meters, narrowly missing the target.

The match became fragmented with frequent stoppages that worked in favor of the visitors, who managed to contain the pressure without much difficulty. Roos was tested again in the 35th minute by a left-footed strike from Pelamatti. In the 42nd minute, Triestina had a double chance to equalize. Krollis tested Giacomel with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, and Voca's follow-up effort from close range was blocked by a sea of white shirts.

In the fifth minute of added time, Triestina had one final chance. El Azrak’s header from a Correia cross on the right drifted just wide. That marked the last play of the match, with the visitors securing the win thanks to Marras' early wonder goal. Triestina, despite creating numerous opportunities, fell to their second consecutive defeat.

Triestina 0-1 Caldiero Terme

Scorers: 1' Marras

Triestina (4-2-3-1): Roos; Germano (71' Ballarini), Struna, Rizzo, Vallocchia (81' Pavlev); Braima, Voca; El Azrak, Correia, D'Urso; Vertainen (59' Krollis).
Subs: Borriello, Diakite, Frare, Moretti, Jonsson.
Manager: Michele Santoni

Caldiero Terme (4-4-2): Giacomel; Mazzolo, Molnar, Baldani, Pelamatti (86' Gobetti); Marras (86' Florio), Mondini (73' Filiciotto), Gattoni, Fasan; Cazzadori (65' Furini), Zerbato (73' Gecchele).
Subs: Kuqi, Aldegheri, Personi, Amoh, Ceriani, Riahi, Lanzi, Cisse.
Manager: Cristian Soave