Serie C 2024/25: Triestina 1-1 AlbinoLeffe
Debut at the Rocco for Triestina manager Pep Clotet, aligning with a match of a certain weight, following recent wins from Arzignano Valchiampo and Pergolettese. Triestina hosted an AlbinoLeffe side that had managed just one point in its last four matches, but historically poses a tough challenge for the Alabardati.
Clotet made just one adjustment from the eleven that played in Crema; Bianconi stepped into the defense in place of an injured Struna, marking his first start. AlbinoLeffe lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with Boloca anchoring the defense, Fossati directing the midfield, and an attacking pair of Zoma and Mustacchio.
Triestina launched two early chances: a close-range shot from Attys within the box was blocked by a defender, followed by a drive from Kiyine down the right flank, who reached the byline only to see his cut-back diverted for a corner by the defense. In the 10th minute, Triestina’s defense faced its first scare when a deep ball to Mustacchio prompted an aggressive 30-meter dash from Roos, who managed to diffuse the threat. Shortly after, Zoma wove into the box from the left, but Attys cleared his shot before Roos could intervene.
Triestina controlled the tempo, though the consecutive defensive scares prompted a more cautious approach, while AlbinoLeffe remained well-organized, looking to exploit Zoma’s speed on the counter. Both sides earned a couple of corners, briefly unsettling the defenses, but the first real shot arrived only in the 44th minute: Mustacchio, potentially offside, forced Roos to tip his effort for a corner from a tight angle. The first half ended in a deadlock, with both sides struggling to create clear chances.
In the second half, in the 50th minute, a divot deceived Marietta as he mishit a clearance on a backpass, allowing Krollis to take control, but just as he lined up Olivieri with an open net, Marietta recovered to smother the ball and end the threat. The match remained tight, mirroring the first half, with Triestina pressing forward but finding little space in AlbinoLeffe’s crowded midfield, while the visitors looked to counter but lacked finishing. Triestina’s best chance came in the 76th minute after sustained pressure, as Olivieri struck from the edge of the area, only to see his shot hit the inside of the post, with Marietta beaten.
The visitors broke the deadlock nine minutes from time. Following a foul on Vallocchia, AlbinoLeffe pounced on the counter as Zoma sprinted forty meters and finished with a low strike past Roos. Three minutes later, Longo missed an opportunity to double the lead, mishitting from close range. In the final minute of stoppage time, Triestina’s persistence paid off: D’Urso delivered a soft cross from the left edge of the box, and Vertainen acrobatically volleyed it into the corner, beating Marietta to secure a 1-1 draw.
Triestina’s determination salvages a deserved point, avoiding an unjust defeat in a tightly contested encounter.
Triestina 1-1 AlbinoLeffe
Scorers: 81’ Zoma (AlbinoLeffe), 94’ Vertainen (Triestina)
Triestina (4-3-1-2): Roos; Germano, Bianconi (83' Moretti), Frare, Bijleveld; Braima, Correia, Attys (63' Vallocchia, 83' Vertainen); Kiyine (46' D'Urso), Olivieri, Krollis (63' El Azrak).
Substitutes: Diakite, Mutavcic, Jonsson, Tonetto, Baricchio, Voca, Pavlev.
Manager: Pep Clotet
AlbinoLeffe (3-5-2): Marietta; Borghini, Boloca (46' Potop), Baroni; Gusu, Agostinelli (63' Astrologo), Fossati, Parlati, Angeloni (63' Munari); Zoma (82' Capelli), Mustacchio (66' Longo).
Substitutes: Facchetti, Taramelli, Giannini, Zambelli, Zanini, Ricordi, Evangelisti, Munari, Bosia, Freri.
Manager: Giovanni Lopez
