Casertana delivered a stunning performance on February 1, 2025, thrashing Taranto 6-0 at the Nuovarredo Arena in Francavilla Fontana, marking one of the most decisive victories of the Serie C season.
From the outset, Casertana showcased their dominance. Just 10 minutes in, Collodel opened the scoring with a well-placed header from a corner. It didn’t take long for the floodgates to open: by the 14th minute, Bunino capitalized on another crossing opportunity to double the lead, notching his first of the match.
The home side struggled to even establish any rhythm, overwhelmed by the pace and skill of their opponents. Within the first half hour, Bunino added to his tally, making it 3-0 by crashing home another rebound, showcasing Casertana’s clinical finishing.
Adding insult to injury, Llano found the back of the net before the break, capitalizing on Taranto's defensive lapses to put the score at 4-0.
After halftime, the scene remained largely unchanged. Despite some substitutions to manage the game, Casertana maintained their authority on the pitch. Egharevba found the fifth goal of the night just after the restart, highlighting Taranto's struggles to contain the relentless attacking flow.
Finally, Paglino capped the night off with their sixth goal, driving the finishing blow and leaving no doubt about the outcome. It was a statement win for Casertana, who needed the points to escape the relegation zone.
After the match, Casertana's coach, Massimo Pavanel, acknowledged his team’s strong performance, stating, "Dal punto di vista tecnico, la partita è incommentabile. I ragazzi ionici, però, hanno combattuto con ardore e con coraggio"—highlighting the effort of the young Taranto players, who were primarily drawn from the Under-17 and Primavera squads due to recent struggles within the club.
Conversely, Taranto’s coach faced some pressing questions following the humiliations. With players born as late as 2004 on the pitch, the squad did everything they could but without the technical and physical ability to compete effectively at this level.
This result adds more pressure on Taranto, who must regroup quickly as they prepare to face Sorrento, another tough matchup looming on the horizon.
Overall, this match has significant ramifications for both clubs. For Casertana, it means moving away from the threat of relegation and asserting their competitiveness as the season progresses. For Taranto, this match is yet another indicator of the challenges they face, highlighting the need for quicker resolutions to their squad issues if they hope to turn their season around.