Serie C 2024/25: Triestina 0-2 Virtus Verona

First official appearance for Marco Olivieri, and last match for the Marino-Ciofani coaching duo before the upcoming bench change, as Triestina aimed for a crucial victory to climb off the bottom of the table. Their opponents, Virtus Verona, a consistently tough side, arrived in the far northeast riding a positive spell, though facing similar squad challenges, with several key players unavailable.

Triestina lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with Frare starting in central defense, Tonetto as the left wing-back, and Olivieri partnering Eetu Vertainen up front. Virtus Verona, under coach Fresco, deployed a nearly identical system, with Toffanin anchoring the defense, Metlika and Mehic orchestrating the midfield, and De Marchi leading the attack alongside the young Pagliuca.

The opening minutes were balanced, with Triestina making their first move in the 8th minute, as Alfonso was called into action to deny a powerful strike from Olivieri. Triestina grew in confidence and came agonizingly close to taking the lead a minute later. Pavlev pressed high to win the ball at the edge of the opposition's area and unleashed a first-time shot that crashed against the crossbar. Despite Virtus Verona trying to push higher and retain possession, they struggled to create meaningful chances upfront.

A significant moment came in the 23rd minute when Vertainen, already booked earlier for dissent after a clear foul was not awarded, made a reckless decision to stop a counter at the 40-meter mark, resulting in a second yellow.

Virtus Verona immediately sought to capitalize, with Rigo curling an effort just two minutes later, but Roos was well positioned and dealt with it comfortably. Despite being a man down, Triestina managed to contain Virtus without too much trouble and even pushed forward. However, they were punished on the visitors' first real chance on goal. In the 34th minute, De Marchi curled a long-range strike from 20 meters that hit the underside of the crossbar and found the net. Triestina struggled to regroup after the setback, unable to effectively push forward despite their determination, while Virtus Verona maintained possession and leveraged their numerical advantage, heading into the break with a one-goal lead.

In the second half, Triestina made an attacking change, bringing on Krollis for Vallocchia to add more firepower. Krollis immediately tried his luck after just 30 seconds, but Alfonso saved comfortably. The visiting goalkeeper was then involved in a moment of danger in the 55th minute when he barely connected with a floated free-kick from Germano, colliding with Frare in the box. Referee Gavini allowed play to continue, as both players required treatment.

Triestina posed a real threat midway through the half when Olivieri's header, from a Pavlev cross, forced Sibi into an acrobatic diving save. Virtus Verona responded with their own dangerous attack, as Rigo narrowly missed connecting with a cross from the right.

In the 83rd minute, a newly introduced Attys headed down for Krollis, who struck a volley from 18 meters, missing the target by inches. Three minutes before full-time, Pavlev whipped in a low cross from the right, but Krollis couldn’t generate enough power on his near-post effort, allowing Sibi to gather. Roos was called into action at the start of stoppage time, making a sharp save from a Cuel shot on the counter. In the final moments, Moretti's attempt in a crowded box was cleared with difficulty by the visitors’ defense. Roos even came up for a corner, but Virtus Verona broke on the counter, and Gatti sealed the 0-2 victory with an empty-net goal, despite Germano’s desperate attempt to clear off the line.

The match ended in bitter disappointment for Triestina, who battled until the end despite being down to 10 men, conceding a late goal in stoppage time. After the game, the club decided not to send Geppino Marino for postmatch interviews, as he will soon be replaced by a new coach, set to be officially announced on Monday morning, with a press conference scheduled for 18:00. The team will enter training camp starting Tuesday to prepare for their next fixture against Pergolettese, away to Crema on Saturday, 26 October.

Triestina 0-2 Virtus Verona

Scorers:
34' De Marchi, 97' Gatti

Triestina (3-5-2): Roos; Germano, Frare (82' Bijleveld), Moretti; Pavlev, Braima (82' Kiyine), Correia, Vallocchia (46' Krollis), Tonetto (59' El Azrak); Olivieri (82' Attys), Vertainen.
Substitutes: Diakite, Cebulj, Vicario, Struna, Jonsson, Baricchio.
Manager: Geppino Marino

Virtus Verona (3-5-2): Alfonso (61' Sibi); Calabrese (83' Catena), Toffanin, Munaretti; Daffara, Mehic, Metlika (71' Cuel), Gatti, Rigo; Pagliuca (61' Rispoli), De Marchi (71' Gomez Taleb).
Substitutes: Fortin, Amadio, Contini, Filippi, Ronco, Cielo, Caia.
Manager: Luigi Fresco