The Pergolettese has secured its spot in Serie C for another year, triumphing over Pro Patria with a final score of 2-1 on April 25, 2025, at the Voltini Stadium in Crema. After a challenging season fraught with difficulties, this victory marks a significant turnaround for the gialloblù, who had faced six consecutive losses leading up to this crucial match.
The match started with an explosive performance from the Pergolettese, with Samuele Careccia opening the scoring just two minutes into the game by converting a penalty. The penalty was awarded after Careccia was fouled by Pro Patria's Palazzi in the box. The early goal set the tone for a high-energy match, with the home team quickly establishing dominance.
Just seven minutes later, at the 10-minute mark, Careccia was involved again, delivering a perfect free-kick that found the head of Samuele Tonoli, who scored to double the lead. This goal was particularly special for Tonoli, as it marked his 100th appearance for the Pergolettese.
However, the match took a turn as Pro Patria began to find its footing. Rocco managed to pull one back for the visitors in the 28th minute, scoring from close range after a corner kick, which injected some life into the match for the tigrotti. Despite this setback, the Pergolettese held firm, managing to maintain their lead as the weather worsened dramatically.
The second half was played under increasingly challenging conditions, with heavy rain making the pitch difficult to navigate. The downpour turned the game into a battle of attrition, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. The Pergolettese, however, demonstrated resilience, effectively managing the game to secure their victory and, crucially, their survival in Serie C for the seventh consecutive year.
Coach Curioni expressed relief and pride in his team's performance, stating, "We needed this victory, not just for the points but for our morale after such a tough stretch. The players showed great character today." The win allows the Pergolettese to avoid relegation, a feat they will celebrate as they look forward to the next season.
On the other hand, the defeat leaves Pro Patria facing a daunting challenge ahead. They will enter the playouts, where they must confront Pro Vercelli in a two-legged tie starting on May 10, 2025. Pro Patria finished the season in 18th place, accumulating only 34 points from 38 matches, with a dismal record of 6 wins, 16 draws, and 16 losses, making them the worst attacking team in Group A with just 32 goals scored.
Pro Patria's coach, Caniato, acknowledged the difficulties faced this season, particularly with injuries and suspensions affecting the squad. "We have to regroup and focus on the playouts now. We know what’s at stake, and we’ll prepare thoroughly for the matches ahead," he said.
The Pro Patria fans, who traveled in hopes of witnessing a turnaround, now face a tense wait as their team prepares for the crucial playout matches against Pro Vercelli, who themselves finished just above the relegation zone. The first leg will take place at the Carlo Speroni stadium in Busto Arsizio, followed by the return leg on May 17 at the Silvio Piola in Vercelli.
The stakes could not be higher for Pro Patria. If they fail to secure a better aggregate score across the two matches, they will face relegation to Serie D, a fate that has loomed over them for much of this challenging season. The upcoming matches will be critical, with the team needing to find their scoring touch, which has been elusive throughout the regular season.
As the dust settles on the regular season, the Pergolettese can finally breathe a sigh of relief, celebrating their hard-fought victory while the Pro Patria will have to rally their spirits for the battles that lie ahead.
