The 2025/26 Coppa Italia has officially kicked off, ushering in a wave of excitement across Italian football as four preliminary round matches set the tone for a fresh season. This year’s opening fixtures feature a blend of newly promoted Serie B sides and ambitious Serie C contenders, each eager to make their mark in the prestigious national cup. The weekend’s action brings together Audace Cerignola vs Avellino, Entella vs Ternana, Padova vs Vicenza, and Pescara vs Rimini—a lineup that promises drama, rivalry, and a few surprises along the way.
Let’s dive right into the matchups, starting with the much-anticipated showdown between Audace Cerignola and Avellino. Scheduled for 20:30 on Sunday, August 10, 2025, this clash takes place at the historic Domenico Monterisi stadium in Cerignola. With a capacity of about 7,000 spectators, the venue has undergone significant renovations in recent years, ready to welcome fans for this special occasion. Interestingly, the fixture was originally set for the Partenio-Lombardi stadium in Avellino, but ongoing upgrades there prompted a reversal, handing home advantage to Audace Cerignola.
Both teams arrive at this Coppa Italia curtain-raiser eager to showcase their revamped squads. Avellino, under the guidance of coach Biancolino, has been turning heads with a strong preseason. Their preparations included a jaw-dropping 25-0 victory over Castel di Sangro, a solid 2-0 win against Napoli’s Primavera, and a narrow 0-1 defeat to Lazio, where Guendouzi’s last-minute penalty made the difference. Most recently, Avellino topped Picerno 3-1, with Kumi, Russo, and Favilli all finding the net—an encouraging sign for the Lupi faithful.
Audace Cerignola, led by coach Maiuri, is equally determined to impress. Their summer friendlies have been a mixed bag: a 2-4 loss to Team Altamura was followed by a convincing 4-1 win over Savoia. The team’s ambition is clear—they want to establish themselves as a force in their division, building on last season’s strong showing in Serie C. The club’s starting lineup for this Coppa Italia opener features Greco in goal; Visentin, Martinelli, and Ligi in defense; Spaltro, Coccia, Bianchini, Cretella, and D’Orazio across the midfield; with Cuppone and Emmausso leading the attack.
Avellino’s lineup, meanwhile, sees Iannarilli between the posts; Todisco, Simic, Enrici, and Milani at the back; a midfield trio of Kumi, Palmiero, and Sounas; Russo operating behind strikers Crespi and Favilli. The blend of youth and experience on both sides sets the stage for a tactical battle under the floodlights.
Fans will recall that last season’s meetings between Audace Cerignola and Avellino were tight affairs—two draws, 0-0 at Partenio-Lombardi and 1-1 in Puglia, underscoring just how evenly matched these sides can be. The rivalry was further fueled by their duel in the Serie C Girone C, where Avellino ultimately clinched top spot with 75 points, eight clear of Audace Cerignola, who led the standings for much of the campaign before being overtaken in the final stretch.
The stakes couldn’t be higher this time around: the winner of this preliminary round advances to face Verona at the Bentegodi in the next Coppa Italia stage. With so much on the line, both teams are expected to leave nothing on the pitch. However, for fans hoping to catch the action live on television, there’s a catch—Mediaset, which holds Coppa Italia broadcasting rights, will only begin airing matches from the next round. As a result, supporters will have to rely on radio updates, social media, and old-fashioned word of mouth for the latest developments from Cerignola.
Elsewhere in the preliminary round, Entella and Ternana lock horns on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 20:30. These two sides are no strangers to high-stakes encounters, having battled for promotion in Serie C’s Girone B last season. Entella, managed by Chiappella, finished top with 83 points—nine ahead of Ternana, who fell short in the playoff final against Pescara. Ternana’s coach Liverani brings a wealth of experience, and his squad is eager to prove they belong at a higher level. The winner of this clash will look to ride that momentum deeper into the cup.
Sunday’s action also features a fiery Veneto derby between Padova and Vicenza, set for 19:30 in Padova. The two biancorossi teams are just months removed from a heated race for Serie B promotion. Last spring, Padova snatched the top spot from Vicenza with a dramatic last-minute surge, securing their place in the second tier while leaving their rivals to regroup in Serie C for another season. Now, both sides meet again in the Coppa Italia, each with a point to prove and a ticket to the round of 32 at stake. The winner will advance to face Genoa on Friday, August 15, 2025.
Padova has bolstered its squad with the recent signing of Papu Gomez, aiming to solidify its Serie B credentials and make a statement in the cup. Vicenza, meanwhile, is determined to shake off the disappointment of last season and mount a fresh push for promotion. The anticipation among fans is palpable—will Padova’s new signings give them the edge, or can Vicenza spring a surprise?
Completing the first-round slate, Pescara and Rimini face off at 20:30 on Sunday, August 10, 2025. This matchup carries the flavor of an Adriatic derby, with both sides having crossed paths frequently in Serie C. Pescara, promoted via the playoffs after finishing fourth in Girone B, is eager to continue its upward trajectory. Rimini, fresh off a Coppa Italia Serie C triumph but stung by an early playoff exit at the hands of Vis Pesaro, will be motivated to make amends. The victor here earns a date with Parma in the next round.
As the preliminary round unfolds, the Coppa Italia is already delivering the intrigue, rivalry, and unpredictability that make knockout football so beloved. With new signings, old scores to settle, and the promise of bigger challenges on the horizon, these opening matches are more than just a formality—they’re the first step on a journey that could define a season. For now, all eyes are on the pitch as Italy’s footballing hopefuls chase cup glory and the chance to write their own stories in the weeks ahead.
