The stage was set at the Stadio San Vito – Gigi Marulla on May 9, 2025, as Cesena FC took on Cosenza Calcio in a crucial match for the 38th matchday of the Serie BKT Championship. With a kickoff at 20:30, the stakes were high for Cesena, who were vying for a playoff spot, while Cosenza had already faced relegation.
Historically, the matchup between these two teams has favored Cosenza, who have won 7 out of their 17 encounters in Serie B, compared to Cesena's 4 victories. Notably, Cesena has never won in Calabria, with a disappointing record of 5 losses and 3 draws in previous matches played there.
Despite sitting at the bottom of the league, Cosenza has shown a propensity for attacking play, ranking fourth in the league with 502 shots taken. In contrast, Cesena boasts an impressive 50% accuracy rate for shots on target, placing them second in that category.
As the match commenced, both teams lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Cosenza featuring Micai in goal, supported by Sgarbi, Hristov, and Dalle Mura in defense. The midfield included Cimino, Kourfalidis, Gargiulo, and Ricci, while Rizzo Pinna and Kouan supported Artistico up front. Cesena countered with Klinsmann in goal, backed by Ciofi, Prestia, and Mangraviti, with Ceesay, Francesconi, Calò, and Celia in midfield, and Saric and Bastoni supporting Shpendi in attack.
However, the match faced interruptions early on due to rockets launched by Cosenza fans from outside the stadium, leading to a brief suspension of play. After a five-minute delay, the referee, Alessandro Prontera, resumed the match.
In the 12th minute, Cesena broke the deadlock when Bastoni found the net after a corner taken by Calò. The ball ricocheted around the penalty area, and Bastoni was quick to react, scoring with a left-footed shot to give Cesena a 1-0 lead. This goal was crucial for Cesena’s playoff aspirations.
Cosenza attempted to respond, with Artistico making several efforts to create chances, but the Cesena defense held firm. The first half ended with Cesena leading 1-0, despite Cosenza having more corner kicks (5-1) and showing signs of attacking intent.
The second half began with a substitution for Cesena as Antonucci replaced Bastoni, who had been instrumental in the first half. However, the game continued to be marred by interruptions, as Cosenza fans again disrupted play with rockets.
Cosenza’s coach, Alvini, made tactical adjustments, bringing on Ciervo and Novello to add fresh legs to his struggling side. Meanwhile, Cesena’s Klinsmann was called into action several times, making crucial saves to maintain the lead.
As the match progressed, Cesena's defensive organization became increasingly important. Cosenza pushed forward, but their lack of precision in the final third prevented them from capitalizing on their opportunities. Saric received a yellow card for a foul on Sgarbi, but Cesena remained resolute.
Despite Cosenza's efforts, they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Klinsmann's goalkeeping and the defensive solidity of Cesena kept Cosenza at bay. The match saw a total of nine minutes of added time in the first half due to the earlier interruptions.
As the final whistle approached, Cesena held their nerve, and the game concluded with a score of 1-0 in favor of the visitors. This victory was vital for Cesena as they continued to chase their playoff dreams, leaving Cosenza to reflect on a disappointing season.
With this win, Cesena remained in the hunt for a playoff position, currently sitting in 9th place with 50 points, just outside the playoff zone. Meanwhile, Cosenza's season ended with them in 20th place, having struggled throughout the campaign.
The match showcased the determination of Cesena to secure their place in the playoffs while highlighting the challenges faced by Cosenza in their relegation battle. As the season draws to a close, both teams will look to regroup and prepare for the future, with Cesena aiming to build on this performance and Cosenza seeking to rebuild after a tough campaign.
