A hard-fought derby match between Benevento and Sorrento ended with both teams sharing the points after a 1-1 draw at the "Ciro Vigorito" stadium on Sunday. The match, part of the 29th round of the Serie C Girone C, was marked by tactical play and moments of individual brilliance, but neither side could claim victory.
The game began with Benevento eager to shake off their seven-match winless streak. With only five points gathered from their last seven encounters, they were desperate for success against their coastal rivals, Sorrento, who were also seeking to bounce back from their recent defeat to Audace Cerignola. Benevento, coached by Michele Pazienza, maintained their attacking 4-3-3 formation, hoping to capitalize on home advantage.
Sorrento, coached by Giovanni Ferraro, started with a 4-3-1-2 formation, trying to unsettle Benevento’s defensive setup. The early exchanges provided plenty of action. At just nine minutes, Benevento's Perlingieri hit the exterior of the post with a well-placed shot after receiving the ball from Berra. It set the tone for what was expected to be an exciting contest.
Despite their early enthusiasm, Benevento struggled to maintain momentum. By the match’s midway point, they began to stall, with ill-timed adjustments to their offensive tactics allowing Sorrento to regain composure. Nevertheless, Benevento continued to press, with Lamesta and Talia threatening from the wings as they sought to break the deadlock.
After several chances went begging, Sorrento finally took the lead at the 73rd minute with Biagetti heading home from close range following a corner taken by Matera. The goal was both celebrated and deflated the home crowd, putting even more pressure on Benevento to respond swiftly.
Responding with renewed vigor, Benevento found the equalizer only minutes later. Starita, who replaced Perlingieri early in the second half, leveled the score at 80 minutes. A precise assist from Lanini set Starita up for the tap-in, giving the home fans something to cheer about as frustrations previously boiled to the surface.
The late stages were filled with tension, with both teams pushing for the winner. Benevento’s desperate attempts included shots from Talia and Acampora, but Sorrento's defense, led by the resilient Del Sorbo, held firm. Each attack was met with counter-attacks from Sorrento, though neither side managed to find the deciding goal before the referee blew for full-time.
Reflecting on the match, Coach Ferraro praised his team for their effort, stating, “It’s not easy to come to Benevento and get a draw. Our spirit is to fight for every ball and perform perfectly. This point is deserved through much sacrifice.” Meanwhile, Pazienza, whose team continues to languish without victory since January, expressed his dismay but remained hopeful for improvement as they prepare for their next encounter.
The draw leaves Benevento fourth in the standings with 49 points, though they have not won for eight matches and were met with jeers as they left the pitch. They will next face Casertana, hoping to break their streak of draws and reclaim some momentum. Sorrento remains just outside playoff contention and hopes this performance can be the catalyst for future success.
Next week’s fixtures will be pivotal for both teams as they look to solidify their positions moving forward. Benevento will aim to leverage their home advantage against Casertana, seeking to restore confidence, whereas Sorrento looks to build momentum after securing this valuable away point.