Matchday 5 in Italy`s Serie C delivered a captivating spectacle, showcasing both unwavering dominance and the ever-present drama of lower-league football. From perfect records to significant coaching changes, the latest round of fixtures has set a compelling stage for the season ahead.
Group A: The Tight Race at the Summit
The top of Girone A remains a fiercely contested battleground, with Vicenza and Lecco sharing the coveted lead, each accumulating 13 points. Vicenza`s triumph over Pro Patria was particularly noteworthy, a decisive 3-0 victory orchestrated largely by tactical brilliance from the bench. Rauti`s clinical brace, followed by Rada`s contribution, underscored the depth and readiness of their squad. It appears Vicenza believes in the `super-sub` philosophy, and it`s paying dividends.
Lecco, meanwhile, demonstrated their resilience against Trento. Despite a momentary stumble with a missed penalty from Zanellato at a crucial 2-1 stage, they recovered admirably, with Zanellato himself eventually sealing the 3-1 win in extended injury time. This kind of fortitude, turning potential setback into decisive success, is the stuff champions are made of.
Hot on their heels, Brescia continues its relentless pursuit. Their fourth consecutive win, a comfortable 2-0 dispatching of Giana with goals from Di Molfetta and Maistrello, was played out in front of a passionate crowd of 9,000. It seems the loyal Brescia faithful, with over 6,000 season ticket holders, are being handsomely rewarded for their dedication.
Rising Stars and Resilient Victories
- Inter U23 secured a valuable 2-0 away win against Pergolettese, their second victory in five days. The consistent form of Fiordilino, who netted for the second game running, highlights the promising talent emerging from Inter`s youth ranks.
- The hotly anticipated derby between Novara and Pro Vercelli was resolved by a single, well-placed diagonal shot from 19-year-old Asane Sow just before halftime, handing Pro Vercelli a precious 1-0 win.
- Triestina continues to defy expectations, earning their second consecutive win despite a significant points penalty. Their 2-1 comeback against Arzignano, featuring a match-winning brace from Vertainen, showcases a team with serious resolve. It appears a little adversity can sometimes be a powerful motivator.
Group C: Salernitana`s Unblemished Dominance
In Girone C, Salernitana stands alone, maintaining the only perfect record across all Serie C groups. Their impressive run continued with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Giugliano. After falling behind to Nepi’s fifth goal of the season, Salernitana rallied, with Ferraris equalizing before Franco Ferrari, introduced from the bench, delivered the decisive blow. This comeback victory not only secured three points but also reinforced their reputation as the team to beat.
Trailing Salernitana but still in formidable form, Benevento recorded their fourth win in five matches, dispatching Atalanta U23 with a professional 2-0 performance, courtesy of attackers Manconi and Salvemini. Efficiency in front of goal seems to be their mantra.
Elsewhere, Potenza secured a 2-0 win in an all-Lucanian clash against Picerno, a match influenced by an early red card for visiting defender Veltri. And in a balanced 1-1 draw between Altamura and Trapani, Argentine midfielder Vazquez marked his return to goal-scoring form after a prolonged injury layoff from last season, a welcome sight for Trapani fans.
The Managerial Merry-Go-Round: A Brief Detour to Group B
While the focus of Matchday 5 was largely on Groups A and C, a notable development emerged from Girone B. The coaching carousel in Italian football, it seems, waits for no one. Perugia announced the appointment of Piero Braglia as their new head coach, taking over from the recently dismissed Cangelosi. Braglia will have little time to settle, as he is set to make his debut mid-week at home against Sambenedettese. Such is the relentless pace of Serie C – no time for pleasantries, only results.
As the dust settles on an eventful Matchday 5, the landscape of Serie C looks as competitive and unpredictable as ever. With midweek fixtures looming large, teams will need to quickly regroup and prepare for another round of crucial battles in their quest for promotion glory.