Foggia faced off against Potenza today at the "Pino Zaccheria" stadium, ending on the wrong side of a thrilling 4-3 defeat. The match was marked by dramatic shifts and key moments, solidifying its place as one of Serie C’s most contested games this season.
From the onset, the visitors snatched the lead just two minutes after kickoff when Siatounis scored with a header following a well-executed corner kick by Rosafio. The early goal set the tempo for the match, leaving the home crowd stunned.
Not long after, at the 20th minute, Potenza increased their advantage. A defensive error by Foggia allowed Petrungaro to slot the ball home, bringing the score to 0-2. The situation seemed dire for Foggia, addressing their recent struggles.
Yet, the rossoneri responded fiercely. Zunno, capitalizing on a mix-up within the Potenza defense, claimed Foggia’s first goal with a well-placed header at the 35th minute. Just three minutes later, Gala struck to equalize, scoring from the edge of the area and leveling the match at 2-2 before halftime.
The second half began, and Foggia maintained their momentum. Gala netted another goal early on, making it 3-2, sending the home fans ecstatic with hopes high. But just as it seemed Foggia would secure victory, things took another sharp turn.
After being reduced to ten men with the expulsion of Felicioli for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, the home team struggled to hold their lead. The Potenza side capitalized on this advantage, with Siatounis scoring his second of the match to equalize at 3-3.
Tempers flared as Foggia’s Parodi was also shown red, leaving them with just nine men. Despite their disadvantage, the team fought valiantly. But they could not prevent Mazzeo, who had just entered the game, from scoring Potenza’s decisive fourth goal at the 89th minute.
The match concluded with Potenza taking the win with yet another emphatic display of resilience. The finale of 4-3 not only marked their return to form but also highlighted Foggia’s continuing struggles to find stability.
Following the match, head coach Luciano Zauri expressed his disappointment but acknowledged the team's effort. “We fought hard under difficult circumstances. This will serve as motivation for our next matches,” he commented. Meanwhile, Potenza’s coach, Pietro De Giorgio, celebrated his side's determination: “This victory is what we needed. It shows our character and will to bounce back.”
The result advances Potenza, solidifying their playoff contention hopes, but leaves Foggia with more questions as they seek to remedy their fragile form heading forward.
On the emotional front, the match carried significant weight as supporters remembered four young Foggia fans lost tragically earlier in the season. A banner reading 'Grazie Potenza' was displayed by Foggia fans, paying tribute to the solidarity shown following the tragedy.
Next week, both teams will look to build upon this match as they continue their campaigns, with Foggia needing to regroup quickly to remain competitive. The fixture concluded with not just another match but rich narratives of resilience, passion, and the enduring spirit of football.