Serie C 2024/25: Triestina 3-0 Union Clodiense

Triestina faced a tough challenge to start the new year, hosting a head-to head clash against Union Clodiense led by their former coach Andreucci. Head coach Tesser included new arrivals Cancellieri, Fiordilino, and Udoh on the bench, dealt with the last-minute absence of Germano, and opted for a 4-3-1-2 formation. Jonsson started at right-back, with Bianconi and Frare forming the central defensive pair. In midfield, Attys featured as a mezzala, while Olivieri and Vertainen led the attack, supported by El Azrak.

The visitors also introduced fresh faces, Martignago and Mora, on the bench. Andreucci maintained his preferred 4-3-3 setup, with Munaretto anchoring the defense, Manfredonia directing the midfield, and Sinani spearheading the attack, flanked by Orfei and Scapin on the wings.

Triestina made their first dangerous move in the 7th minute, with El Azrak slicing through the opposition’s midfield and firing a venomous low shot from 20 meters, which Gasparini brilliantly tipped wide. Two minutes later, Vertainen released Olivieri in behind the defense, but Gasparini again proved decisive, blocking the forward’s lob attempt from a tight angle.

The visitors responded in the 15th minute when a Nelli corner found Orfei, whose near-post header was parried by Roos. Triestina hit back immediately as El Azrak unleashed a long-range strike that sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

In the 22nd minute, a well-worked play from Triestina saw Vallocchia take a powerful low shot from 18 meters, but Gasparini saved it comfortably. Shortly after, Attys attempted a tight-angle strike following a corner, but Gasparini again held firm.

Union Clodiense threatened in the 25th minute when Sinani directed a looping header from deep towards goal, narrowly missing the target as it landed on the side netting. After a brief period of sustained Triestina pressure, the visitors came closest to scoring in the 36th minute, as Sinani’s crisp low drive from distance struck the post.

Triestina countered with a left-footed shot from Vallocchia, saved again by Gasparini. On 42 minutes, a quick counterattack saw Vallocchia switch the play to Attys on the right, but instead of crossing into the packed box, he opted for a wayward strike that sailed into the stands. The half ended with the score locked at 0-0, with both sides creating chances but failing to convert.

Controversy arose just two minutes after the restart when Olivieri, receiving a pass from Vallocchia, was brought down in the box. Instead of a penalty, the referee booked the forward for simulation. Shortly after, Vertainen broke into the area, but the Clodiense defense scrambled to clear under pressure.

Triestina ramped up the intensity, and in the 56th minute, their efforts paid off. Following a chaotic sequence, Correia’s deflected shot fell to Olivieri, who tapped into an empty net to give the hosts a deserved lead.

Clodiense nearly equalized in the 18th minute with a Scapin header from a set-piece, but Roos made a routine save. Triestina then pushed for a second, with El Azrak’s diagonal strike in the 22nd minute forcing a fortuitous chest save from Gasparini. However, the goal came shortly after, as a deflected shot from El Azrak in the 27th minute wrong-footed Gasparini to double the lead.

Triestina’s dominance continued. In the 28th minute, a quick counterattack led to El Azrak playing Olivieri through, but the forward’s precise effort missed the target by inches. Gasparini was called into action again in the 41st minute, saving a powerful long-range strike from Olivieri.

The hosts sealed the game in stoppage time. Substitute Udoh scored his debut goal for Triestina, coolly finishing after a clever assist from Vicario. Triestina claimed a convincing 3-0 victory to start the new year on the right foot, earning three points in front of their crowd.

Triestina 3-0 Union Clodiense

Scorers: 56’ Olivieri, 68’ El Azrak, 94’ Udoh

Triestina (4-3-1-2):

Roos; Jonsson, Bianconi, Frare, Tonetto; Attys (46’ Fiordilino), Correia, Vallocchia (90’ Braima); El Azrak (78’ Voca); Olivieri (90’ Vicario), Vertainen (78’ Udoh).

Subs not used: Diakite, Mutavcic, Bijleveld, Moretti, Struna, Kiyine, Cancellieri, D’Urso.

Manager: Attilio Tesser

Union Clodiense (4-3-3):

Gasparini; Lattanzio, Munaretto, Vukusic, Sinn; Nelli (69’ Martignago), Manfredonia, Serena; Orfei (69’ Mora), Scapin, Sinani (78’ Verde).

Subs not used: Agosti, Pozzi, Biondi, Barsi, Niang.

Manager: Antonio Andreucci