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Sports
22 February 2025

Avellino Triumphs Over Casertana With Late Comeback

Raffaele Biancolino praises resilience as team eyes promotion after key victory

Avellino Football Club continued its push for promotion with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Casertana, showcasing their determination and tactical prowess on the pitch.

The match, held at the Stadio Pinto, saw Avellino initially fall behind to Casertana, who struck first with a goal from Vano at the 38-minute mark. Yet, the visitors quickly responded just before the halftime whistle when Cagnano found the net, restoring parity. A surge of energy propelled Avellino onward as they secured the winning goal shortly after the restart, courtesy of Enrici's strike.

Post-match, Avellino's coach Raffaele Biancolino spoke passionately about his team's resilience. "The team never gives up. It has to be this way, but we need to avoid giving ourselves heart attacks. This is a beautiful and crazy team. When we get close, we have to be more concrete. Suffering is part of our story, but we can compete with everyone," he stated, reflecting on the team's performance.

His sentiments were rooted in the contextual buildup of the match, highlighting how important it was for the team to react quickly after going behind. He also emphasized the need for greater precision in their attacking play. "The reaction was immediate. That was very important. We have to be more precise and concrete at the final pass. It’s okay to give up some chances to the opponents, but I liked the response and approach we showed," Biancolino explained.

On the contrary, Casertana coach Massimo Pavanel expressed disappointment over his team's performance, particularly their inability to capitalize on their first-half dominance. "Towards the end of the second half, we took a step back. We played almost perfectly until the equalizer; then we conceded right after the restart. We struggled to organize ourselves after," Pavanel admitted, noting missed opportunities and moments of vulnerability for his squad.

The match illustrated the contrasts between the two teams’ performances, with Avellino's ability to bounce back from adversity particularly noteworthy. Biancolino commented on specific player performances, lauding the efforts of Patierno and Lescano. He acknowledged their need for more synergy as they adapt together up front, asserting their importance to the team's offensive strategy moving forward.

The substitutions made during the match played a pivotal role. Biancolino opted to bring fresh legs onto the pitch, noting, "Patierno gave his all. I saw him slightly more exhausted compared to Lescano, so it was right to introduce fresh energy." This tactical flexibility appeared to pay dividends as Avellino took command of the game’s tempo.

Reflecting on the game’s dynamics, he highlighted the increasing influence of Cagnano and his capacity to press forward, making significant contributions. "Cagnano is improving condition-wise. He’s the type of player we need who can cross and shoot. He’s been great for the team," Biancolino said.

Meanwhile, Angelo Antonio D'Agostino, the president of Avellino, shared his thoughts on the broader challenges faced by clubs within the league amid shifting dynamics. "It’s unfortunate what is happening with teams like Taranto and Turris, but it has nothing to do with what we must do. We need to commit to following our path and treating the remaining matches as finals," he urged, clearly indicating the need for sustained focus as they engage with each fixture moving forward.

Pavanel’s closing remarks echoed the sentiment of persistence as he stated, "We need to keep working and not give up on anything." This highlights the spirit of both clubs, with Avellino seeking to solidify their position as they chase promotion, and Casertana aiming to rebound swiftly from this setback.

With this win, Avellino extends their unbeaten streak. They now sit firmly at second place with 52 points, demonstrating their ambition to ascend to the higher echelons of Serie C. Meanwhile, Casertana's challenges continue as they remain 17th with 28 points, highlighting the need for immediate adjustments as they navigate through the season.