PERUGIA—The atmosphere was tense at the 'Renato Curi' stadium as AScoli faced Perugia on March 3, 2025, for the 29th matchday of Serie C Girone B. The match concluded with Perugia edging out AScoli 2-1, marking their first win after two months of disappointing performances, which included three draws and four losses. Coach Mirko Cudini of AScoli expressed his deep disappointment over conceding what he described as a gut-wrenching goal at the 91st minute.
Cudini’s team had initially established solid control of the game, reducing Perugia’s scoring opportunities and maintaining good compactness throughout most of the match. According to Cudini, "C’è ovviamente amarezza come è normale che sia quando prendi gol al 93esimo. La prestazione era stata positiva dal punto di vista della compattezza…" ("There is obviously bitterness as it is normal to feel when you concede a goal at the 93rd minute. The performance was positive from the point of view of compactness...").
The match began on the wrong foot for AScoli when Matos converted a penalty just seven minutes after the kickoff, following a foul by Varone. Though Odjer equalized shortly after with a strike resulting from defensive errors on AScoli’s part, Cudini lamented the wasted chances for his team. He remarked on the demanding circumstances they faced as they navigated through the game.
"Abbiamo avuto un paio di occasioni nel primo tempo che potevano essere interessanti... Dobbiamo stare più attenti, rimprovero qualcosa in fase offensiva, dobbiamo essere più altruisti nel servire i compagni" ("We had a couple of interesting chances in the first half... We must be more careful; I fault something on the offensive phase; we need to be more altruistic in serving our teammates"), Cudini noted during his interview with Rai Sport.
Despite the opportunities, AScoli let the game slip through their fingers. With tensions rising, Cisco capitalized on Kanoutè's fierce shot on goal, which was poorly handled by AScoli's keeper Livieri, allowing Cisco to get the decisive touch for the last-minute score. Cudini commented on the mistake, lamenting, "Prendere gol nel recupero ci lascia l’amaro in bocca e ci fa andare via arrabbiati da qua" ("Conceding a goal during stoppage time leaves us bitter and makes us leave here angry").
Looking back, Cudini stated, "Era difficile con situazioni di emergenza, queste partite però vanno portate a casa" ("It was difficult with emergency situations, but you must win these matches"). This loss puts AScoli at the mercy of future performances, as they struggle to secure their position amid tight competition.
Perugia's victory breathed new life back to the squad. Coach Cangelosi's newly implemented strategies seem to have paid off, as the team displayed more fluidity and confidence on the pitch. This win lifted Perugia temporarily out of the playout zone, offering them renewed hope as they head closer toward the end of the season.
On the horizon, the Grifo will take on Milan Futuro on March 8—a fixture deemed pivotal for both teams as they battle against relegation. The pressure remains high as they could easily slip back if their next performance doesn’t measure up.
Meanwhile, for Cudini and AScoli, the quest for resilience continues. With the sting of this last-minute loss and the push for improvement, all eyes will be on the tactics they utilize moving forward—especially as they strive to avoid individualistic tendencies highlighted by Cudini. "Silipo che ha scelto di non passare la palla a Corazza è una situazione che non va bene" ("Silipo's decision not to pass the ball to Corazza is not good").”
Despite these struggles, there's still hope for AScoli fans, provided Cudini's side can re-focus and turn their season around. The upcoming match against formidable opponents will serve as another test of their mettle.
Time will tell if Cudini's squad can distance themselves from the haunting memories of missed opportunities, especially as they navigate the demanding landscapes of the league.