Pedona clinched a resounding 4-2 victory over Atletico Racconigi, bolstering their reputation as one of the most formidable teams in Promozione C. The match, held at Atletico Racconigi's home ground, showcased the stellar performance of Marco Dalmasso, who netted three goals, bringing his total for the season to 100 with the club.
Racconigi began the match on the front foot, scoring first with Abas finding the net after just five minutes. The home crowd erupted with joy, but their elation was short-lived as Pedona's Viglietti equalized by the 18th minute. The intensity of the contest escalated when, early in the second half, Dalmasso converted a penalty to put Pedona ahead, marking the start of his impressive display.
Things took a turn when Pedona's “Mercs” struck with a sensational long-range shot shortly after Dalmasso's penalty. The Atletico side mounted their response with Tene scoring shortly thereafter to bring the margin back to one goal. But Dalmasso wasn't done yet; he capped off his hat-trick by scoring another penalty late in the game, driving the final nail in the Racconigi coffin.
Francesco Pisano, the coach of Atletico Racconigi, expressed deep dissatisfaction following the match. Commenting on the game, he stated: "I am very disappointed with what happened on the field. It was a game, up until then, conducted fairly and marred by unfortunate incidents leading to our players’ expulsions." He lamented the behavior of his players, especially after the provoking incidents which included racial suggestions, noting he expected equal repercussions for both teams. "It’s disheartening to see our players react poorly. At the end of the game, the opponents apologized for the incident," Pisano concluded.
The intensity of the match was highlighted by the pressing battle both teams fought for control, creating numerous opportunities. Despite suffering from the hot-headedness of their players, Racconigi showcased their offensive capabilities, indicating potential for future matches.
With this victory, Pedona continues to build momentum as they now rank close behind Atletico Racconigi and are angling for the top positions of the Leagues. The coach of Pedona, Zappatore, commented on the significance of this win, emphasizing the preparation and focus his team demonstrated: "We knew what we were preparing for this week. The offensive potential of Racconigi is extraordinary, yet we managed to execute our plan effectively. Now we relish these three points which affirm our strong run.”
Dalmasso's performance inspired comments from fans and teammates alike. He expressed his delight at reaching the personal milestone of 100 goals, though he remained humble about personal achievements: "It's tough to say where we can go from here, but we are enjoying this positive moment. It’s important we maintain our focus and hunger, as there are strong opponents ready to capitalize on just one slip-up from us. The goal-scoring leaderboard is interesting, but my main effort will always be to help my team win, not for personal accolades. If the individual awards follow, I will gladly embrace them."
The reactions from both teams reflect the highly charged environment of the match. The result not only impacts team standings but also raises questions about the players' behavior and discipline under pressure. There is now anticipation for how Atletico Racconigi will regroup and respond following this defeat, particularly when facing their next match. With their current record, they must find solutions to maintain their position at the top of the table and avoid repeating their mistakes.
Looking at the league table, Monregale leads with 40 points, followed by Atletico Racconigi at 37 and Pedona climbing up with 32. This dynamic adds to the stakes as the season progresses.
Racconigi’s next steps will hinge on rebuilding their strategy and composure to resume their challenging pursuit for promotion. With issues of discipline under scrutiny, they must prove to be both resilient and capable of bouncing back swiftly.