On May 7, 2025, Crotone faced Juventus Next Gen at the Ezio Scida stadium in a crucial playoff match for the Serie C Girone C. The game kicked off at 20:00, with both teams eager to secure a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
The official lineups were announced ahead of the match, showcasing both teams' strategies. Crotone, managed by Longo, lined up with D'Alterio in goal and a defensive quartet of Giron, Cargnelutti, Di Pasquale, and Gomez. The midfield featured Vitale, Di Stefano, Gallo, and Guerini, while Tumminello led the attack alongside Ricci and Gomez. On the bench, they had Sassi, Martino, Piras, Oviszach, Stronati, Murano, Armini, Cantisani, Barberis, Groppelli, Cocetta, Rispoli, Schirò, Silva, and Vilardi.
Juventus Next Gen, under the guidance of Brambilla, opted for Daffara as their goalkeeper, supported by Turicchia, Scaglia, and Gil Puche in defense. The midfield was composed of Comenencia, Macca, Faticanti, Cudrig, and Pietrelli, with Guerra and Afena-Gyan spearheading the attack. Their substitutes included Garofani, Scaglia S., Mancini, Anghelè, Poli, Amaradio, Citi, Owusu, Puczka, Turco, Villa, Deme, Papadopoulos, Quattrocchi, and Silva Semedo.
The match began with high intensity as both teams sought to assert dominance early on. Crotone, aware of their advantage from the regular season, looked to control the tempo of the game. Despite the pressure, the first half saw limited scoring opportunities, with both teams struggling to break through the opposing defenses.
As the match progressed, Crotone's strategy became clear: they were content to play conservatively, knowing that a draw would suffice to see them through to the next round. Their approach was characterized by a strong defensive performance, with D'Alterio making crucial saves when needed. The standout moment came when Faticanti of Juventus found space to shoot, but D'Alterio was equal to the task, deflecting the shot for a corner.
With the first half ending in a stalemate, the second half continued in a similar vein. Both teams exchanged possession, but neither could find the breakthrough. Crotone's coach Longo made tactical substitutions, bringing on Silva for Ricci and Groppelli for Giron, who had run his race. These changes aimed to inject fresh energy into the team as they pushed for a late goal.
However, Juventus Next Gen also displayed resilience and skill, attempting to capitalize on any mistakes made by Crotone. The game was marked by physical play, with several players receiving yellow cards as tensions mounted. Notably, Crotone's Cargnelutti and Juventus' Macca were among those cautioned.
As the clock ticked down, Crotone intensified their efforts, pushing forward in search of a decisive goal. Tumminello had a chance to score after a cross from Vitale, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Daffara. Juventus, too, had their moments, but the defensive organization of Crotone held firm.
In the dying moments of the match, a potential penalty shout arose for Crotone when a handball was claimed in the Juventus area. However, neither the referee, Di Reda, nor the VAR intervened, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
As the final whistle blew, the match ended in a 0-0 draw. While the game may not have been a showcase of attacking football, it was a testament to Crotone's tactical discipline and determination. With this result, Crotone advanced to the next round of the playoffs due to their superior positioning in the regular season.
The attendance for the match was reported at 4,738, with fans witnessing a tense and competitive encounter. Following the match, the focus now shifts to the draw scheduled for the following day, where Crotone will learn about their next opponents in the playoff journey.
In retrospect, the match illustrated the importance of strategy in knockout football. Crotone's ability to manage the game and secure a draw, while Juventus Next Gen will need to reflect on their missed opportunities and the need for greater attacking potency in future matches.
As Crotone celebrates their advancement, the excitement continues in Serie C playoffs, with teams vying for glory and a chance at promotion. The journey for Crotone, fueled by their resilience and tactical acumen, is far from over as they look ahead to the next challenges in their playoff campaign.
