PERUGIA – It was a tense and thrilling evening at the Stadio Curi as Perugia edged past their rivals, 2-1, against the backdrop of heightened stakes for both sides. The match, part of the twenty-ninth round of Serie C, showcased the indomitable spirit of the Grifo, sealing the victory with a last-minute goal from Cisco.
The game started with high energy; barely eight minutes had ticked off the clock when Perugia was awarded a penalty. Varone, chasing Giunti, committed a foul inside the box, and Matos stepped up confidently to convert the spot-kick, finding the corner of the net and putting the home team 1-0 up.
Initially, this goal set the groundwork for what appeared to be another victory for Perugia. They were buoyed by the home crowd, eager to secure points after facing three consecutive defeats, with their last victory being back on January 10.
Yet, the match took another turn just fourteen minutes later. The visitors, desperate to respond, managed to equalize through Odjer, who capitalized on defensive mishaps. With Odjer’s attempt from the outskirts of the penalty area, Gemello, the Perugia goalkeeper, made the lapse of allowing the ball to slip through his legs, letting adversaries level the score at 1-1.
Consequently, viewers were treated to a spirited contest, with chances unleashed from both sides. The first half wrapped up with both teams having opportunities, as Corazza's header forced another fine save from Gemello just before halftime.
The second half witnessed both teams making tactical adjustments, and it proved slightly uneventful until the final minutes. Perugia seemed more intent on managing possession, ostensibly to avoid additional risks but found it challenging to create significant scoring chances, signaling the cautious approach the team adopted.
Despite the subdued pace of the second half, the excitement escalated as the clock wound down. Cisco, who had been introduced to replace the injured Matos, became the focal point of the match's denouement. At 91 minutes, he launched down the right flank, receiving the ball from Kanoute. Cisco’s powerful shot was repelled poorly by the opposing goalkeeper, Livieri, landing right back at Cisco's feet. Without hesitating, Cisco struck again, driving the ball home to seal the game at 2-1 for Perugia.
This victory was more than just three points; it reignited Perugia’s hopes for survival, lifting them to 32 points, considerably relieving pressure after their recent slump. The players, under the new management of Cangelosi, who was making his home debut, celebrated together, knowing they had scratched back from the brink of another defeat.
On the flip side, this defeat marked the twelfth loss of the season for the Picchio, leaving them stagnant on 33 points. Coach Cudini expressed disappointment, noting the need for improvement, particularly defensively, as they prepare for their next match against Pineto.
The match was attended by about 3,590 fans, with 68 from the visiting side supporting their team. The atmosphere was electric, punctuated by moments of nervous anticipation as supporters hoped gold-painted performances would manifest on the pitch.
The game encapsulated the essence of Serie C football, bearing witness to more than just numbers on the scoreboard. Each team fought fiercely for valuable points as the battle for survival heated up. Cisco’s late heroics certainly ensured Perugia could breathe just a little easier, but for now, pressure remains for both teams as the season draws on.