After yet another disappointing performance at home, Pescara and SPAL settled for a 1-1 draw on Saturday, March 1, 2025, leaving both teams with mixed feelings as they continue their respective battles within Serie C's Girone B.
The match at the Stadio Adriatico-Cornacchia kicked off positively for Pescara, who took the lead through Bentivegna's penalty kick following a foul committed by SPAL's Fiordaliso. This goal, scored at the 39th minute, sparked brief hope among the home supporters, as the team had not won at home since November 21, 2024.
Despite taking the lead, Pescara struggled to build on their advantage. The first half concluded with Pescara clinging to their narrow lead, though they showed signs of vulnerability. Bentivegna almost doubled the score just before halftime when he sent a header wide, leading to the teams heading to the locker rooms with the scoreboard reading 1-0.
Upon returning to the field for the second half, Pescara faced immediate pressure from SPAL, who quickly equalized through D’Orazio only five minutes after play resumed. D’Orazio’s well-placed free-kick seized the moment and left Pescara stunned, as they had not regained their composure after their day's earlier success.
This equalizing goal shifted the momentum decidedly toward SPAL, who went on to dominate much of the second half. Pescara’s defense, which had been solidly built throughout the first half, appeared shaky as SPAL's offensive players, including Antenucci and Parigini, advanced with determination.
SPAL nearly took the lead later on, but their goal was disallowed for offside, highlighting the tense atmosphere as the game intensified with yellows cards handed out to multiple players on both sides. With the match winding down, Rao made one last push for SPAL, narrowly missing the opportunity to secure the win with minutes left on the clock. The referee's whistle finally blew, ending the match at 1-1, much to the displeasure of Pescara's fans, who voiced their frustration with loud jeers.
After the match, Pescara's head coach Silvio Baldini commented on their performance and the challenges faced at home: "Certainly we have been feeling the pressure, and the fans expect more from us at home. We will need to reforge our mentality and work with our focus on upcoming matches. Each match is now more than just points, it's about recovery and finding our confidence again."
Pescara remains fourth, now closely monitored by the Vis Pesaro below them. The pressure to secure playoff positions grows every week, especially following their previous victory against Milan Under 23, which had reignited fans' hopes. Meanwhile, SPAL's struggles continue as they still find themselves battling to escape the lower end of the table, having suffered five consecutive losses prior to this draw.
Coach Francesco Baldini was optimistic post-match, stating, "Today we proved we can compete against stronger teams. The draw feels like progress, and I hope we can build on this outcome as we face upcoming matches. We are focused on regaining our composure and climbing up from this tough position."
Looking forward, Pescara's next encounter will be against Lucchese on March 7, 2025, as they aim to recover from their home struggles and secure much-needed points. On the other hand, SPAL seeks to leverage their climbing success from this match as they prepare for their future fixtures, targeting victories to deepen their fight against relegation.
The passionate rivalry between the two Baldini coaches added another layer to this competitive clash, with players and fans alike eager to witness how each side would strategize as they continued their journeys through Serie C.
Though the scoresheet demonstrates the evenly matched nature of this contest, the emotional fallout for Pescara within their home ground will linger, urging urgent improvement as they continue their pursuit of playoff success.