Let’s summarize all the victories achieved by Catania in the last season. After having focused on the first 15 successes of the 2023/24 year, let’s move on to the most exciting moment. The victory of the Italian Serie C Cup last April 2nd, after extra time.
Catania is celebrating. The rossozzurri won the trophy for the first time in history, at the end of a match match full of emotions. The team that believed in it the most won. The winner was the one who, throwing his heart over the obstacle, managed to overcome the difficulties against a highly rated opponent, thanks to the advantage acquired in the first leg.
The evening, characterized by the enthusiasm of 1,500 children present at the stadium, it doesn’t start in the best way for Catania. Padova, in fact, immediately puts their foot on the accelerator breaking the deadlock in the 3rd minute with Bortolussi able to take advantage of a defensive uncertainty after Albertoni’s rejection. Zeoli’s team, however, is not willing and tries to raise its head with courage. The 1-1 is achieved in the 26th minute: on the development of a free kick taken by Cicerelli, foul in the area according to the referee and consequent penalty. Di Carmine makes no mistakes from the spot.
It’s not a simple race at all. The guests don’t give up, they have the ball in the game at this stage. In the 35th minute the goal was disallowed amid the Biancoscudate protests, the referee recognizes a foul against Bouah. Just before the break, Catania’s blaze that scores the overtaking. Excellent play by Quaini, Catania did very well on the Zammarini-Cicerelli axis, the latter finishes bringing the rossozzurri to 2-1. The match is lively. Padova comes close to equalizing with Bortolussi’s header which ends just wide (57′). The 2-2 goal arrives in the 74th minute. Corner taken, Delli Carri and Perrotta jump, the latter finds the right impact with the ball, overtaking Albertoni.
A few minutes later, key episode: foul by Delli Carri in the middle of the pitch, the referee consults the VAR and prints the red card in the defender’s face. At this point the Venetians grit their teeth in the hope of managing the result. Zeoli plays the cards Chiricò, Rapisarda, Costantino and Marsura. Very good moves because the rossozzurri pushed with even more conviction, crushing Padova in their own half of the pitch. In the 89th minute, the newly introduced Marsura put Catania’s 3-2 in the bottom of the bag. Insertion of the former Venezia on the development of a corner kicked by Chiricò, gored by Monaco for Marsura and ball inside.
Catania perceives that the moment is favorable, they need another goal to close the contest, they don’t have time to score it within the 90th minute. The match is decided in extra time. It’s a siege by Catania towards the Padua penalty area, the crosses increase exponentially. The winning shot is missing. Which arrives punctually in the 120th minute, when it seemed that the match was destined to end in a penalty shootout. Great ball from Quaini for Marsura who catches Costantino in the penalty area, who turns his head and leaves Zanellati no chance. A couple of minutes of injury time are assigned, Padova attacks with the strength of desperation but there is no more time. Catania lifts the Cup.
VIDEO: highlights of the challenge
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