On February 23, 2025, football fans witnessed the thrilling encounter as Lumezzane faced off against LR Vicenza at the Tullio Saleri Stadium, and the game ended with Vicenza taking home the three points after securing a 1-0 victory.
The match marked the 28th round of the Serie C season, featuring two teams with different ambitions. Lumezzane, under the guidance of coach Arnaldo Franzini, aimed for playoff contention, currently sitting at twelfth place with 36 points. Meanwhile, LR Vicenza, coached by Stefano Vecchi, sought to maintain pressure on the league leaders, Padova, with aspirations for direct promotion.
The game commenced at 5:30 PM local time, and both teams were eager to assert their dominance on the field. Lumezzane set up with a 3-5-2 formation, featuring Filigheddu in goal, supported by defenders Pogliano, Dalmazzi, and Pittino. The midfield comprised Tenkorang, Taugourdeau, Moscati, Iori, and Pagliari, with Pannitteri and Corti leading the attack.
Vicenza approached the game with their own strategic setup, employing a 3-4-1-2 formation. Confente manned the goal, backed by Cuomo, Leverbe, and Sandon at the back. The midfield featured Talarico, Carraro, Zonta, and Costa, and upfront were Rauti, Ferrari, and Della Morte acting as the playmaker.
The match quickly unfolded with both sides targeting early dominance. Lumezzane started strong, signaling their intention with early offensive plays. Notably, Pannitteri tested the Vicenza defense with aggressive pursuit, yet they struggled to convert opportunities.
The first significant moment came at the 20-minute mark when Vicenza took the lead. Rauti scored from within the box, capitalizing on Ferrari's clever assist after Talarico's impactful run. The goal energized the visiting team, giving them confidence as they began to control the game.
Following the goal, Vicenza continued to threaten. At the 41st minute, Della Morte nearly doubled the lead, but his shot skimmed past the post, much to the relief of the home crowd.
Complications arose for Lumezzane as they lost Taugourdeau to injury. His exit early in the match forced coach Franzini to shuffle his options, bringing on D'Agostino to fill the gap.
The first half concluded with Vicenza leading 1-0, highlighting their effective strategy, yet Lumezzane still had time to regroup and devise plans to overturn the deficit.
Back from halftime, Lumezzane needed to reclaim control and find the equalizer. Despite their best efforts, they faced considerable challenges against the organized Vicenza defense. The match officials, led by referee Claudio Allegretta, faced criticism from the Lumezzane bench for potential missed calls, including several penalty appeals during the half.
Vicenza maintained their composure, leveraging strong defensive plays to thwart Lumezzane's attempts. The visitors executed counterattacks, creating chances to extend their advantage, but poor finishing prevented them from sealing the game.
After 90 minutes, including two minutes of stoppage time, Vicenza clinched the win. Lumezzane's struggle to convert opportunities was apparent with their inability to find the net against the league's best defense showcased by Vicenza’s application on the field.
Reflecting on the match, coach Vecchi praised his team's performance and the resilience displayed by Rauti, stating, "Rauti's goal made the difference today. His ability to remain calm under pressure exemplifies the quality we strive for. We need to build on this result for the upcoming matches."
Conversely, coach Franzini expressed disappointment over the missed opportunities, particularly emphasizing the penalties he felt were warranted. He remarked, "We created enough chances to deserve at least one goal today, but we must refine our finishing. Players like Tenkorang and Pannitteri showed promise, and I have faith we can improve for our next match."
The defeat leaves Lumezzane with much to ponder as they analyze their performance and prepare for the next round of fixtures. Meanwhile, Vicenza celebrates their solid victory as they maintain their chase for automatic promotion, keeping their ambitions alive with this hard-fought win.
The match's statistics underscored Vicenza's tactical edge: they managed to complete 55% of their passes and hold 53% possession throughout the match. Lumezzane, on the other hand, faced intense scrutiny over their finishing, with only 3 of their 12 shots on target, reinforcing the need for sharper attacking strategies.
Both teams will now focus on their respective upcoming fixtures, with Lumezzane needing to bounce back from this defeat to remain competitive for the playoff spots, and Vicenza targeting additional wins to pressure the leading pack.