In a decisive clash in the Serie B, Cosenza faced Pisa at the San Vito Gigi Marulla stadium on March 29, 2025, with the home side desperately seeking points to escape the relegation zone. The match kicked off at 15:00, and the stakes were high for both teams, albeit for different reasons. Cosenza, sitting at the bottom of the table with just 25 points, needed a win to narrow the gap to safety, while Pisa, in second place with 60 points, aimed to extend their lead over Spezia, who lost earlier in the week.
The atmosphere was electric as nearly 500 Pisa fans traveled to Cosenza to support their team, dressed in their vibrant yellow kits. In contrast, Cosenza donned their traditional red uniforms. The referee for the match was Daniele Rutella from Enna, who had a challenging task ahead of him.
Pisa started the match with a well-structured 3-4-2-1 formation. Semper was in goal, protected by a defensive trio of Canestrelli, Caracciolo, and Bonfanti. The midfield featured Touré and Marin, while Moreo and Tramoni supported Lind in the attack. Coach Filippo Inzaghi was keen to capitalize on his team's strong offensive capabilities.
Cosenza, on the other hand, lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Micai in goal and Venturi, Sgarbi, and Martino forming the defensive unit. The midfield was packed with Ricciardi, Florenzi, Gargiulo, and Charlys, while Artistico and Rizzo Pinna led the attack. Coach Pierantonio Tortelli emphasized the need for a solid defensive performance and quick counter-attacks.
The match began with Cosenza trying to assert their presence, but Pisa quickly took control. In the 22nd minute, Moreo opened the scoring for Pisa after a chaotic sequence during a corner kick. Micai made a couple of impressive saves, but ultimately, Moreo found the back of the net with a powerful shot from close range, putting Pisa ahead 1-0.
Just eight minutes later, Touré doubled Pisa's lead with a stunning volley from the edge of the box. After receiving the ball from a corner, he controlled it beautifully and unleashed a shot that left Micai with no chance. The score was now 2-0, and the visitors were in full control.
As Cosenza struggled to find their footing, the situation worsened when Sgarbi was sent off in the 36th minute after a reckless challenge on Semper. The home side was now down to ten men, and their chances of staging a comeback looked bleak. Shortly after, Martino received a second yellow card for a foul on Piccinini, leaving Cosenza with just nine players on the field.
In the 43rd minute, disaster struck for Cosenza as Micai inadvertently scored an own goal from a free kick taken by Angori. The ball struck the crossbar and ricocheted off Micai's back into the net, making it 3-0 for Pisa just before halftime.
As the first half concluded, Cosenza found themselves in a dire situation, trailing 3-0 and severely outnumbered. The team needed a miracle to turn the tide in the second half, while Pisa looked to consolidate their lead and secure a vital away victory.
The second half began with Cosenza making a substitution, bringing Hristov on for Florenzi, but the home side struggled to mount any serious attacks against a confident Pisa defense. The visitors continued to press, looking to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Despite being down to nine men, Cosenza attempted to regroup. Artistico and Rizzo Pinna tried to create opportunities, but the Pisa defense, led by the experienced Canestrelli and Caracciolo, stood firm. The home side's frustrations grew as their efforts to break through were repeatedly thwarted.
Pisa, on the other hand, was content to control the game, focusing on maintaining possession and exploiting counter-attacks. Moreo and Tramoni remained threats, constantly pushing the Cosenza defense back. In one notable moment, Tramoni nearly added a fourth goal, but his shot went just wide of the post.
As the match progressed, Cosenza's hopes began to fade. The players showed determination, but the lack of numbers on the field and the psychological impact of the first half's events weighed heavily on them. Coach Tortelli urged his players to keep fighting, emphasizing the importance of not conceding further goals.
In the final minutes, Pisa continued to dominate, and Cosenza's resilience was tested. The home fans, while disappointed, rallied behind their team, encouraging them to finish the match with pride. The referee indicated four minutes of stoppage time, but it was clear that the outcome was no longer in doubt.
As the final whistle blew, the score remained 3-0 in favor of Pisa. The victory was crucial for the visitors, solidifying their position in the promotion race while leaving Cosenza in a precarious situation at the bottom of the table. The match highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams: Pisa's pursuit of Serie A and Cosenza's struggle for survival.
In the post-match interviews, Inzaghi expressed his satisfaction with the performance, noting the importance of the win in their quest for promotion. Tortelli, however, faced tough questions about his team's future and the challenges ahead as they look to regroup after a disappointing defeat.
