Serie C, Brescia-Ascoli is the playoff final

Brescia and Ascoli will compete for their fourth promotion to Serie B, after those already celebrated by Vicenza, Arezzo and Benevento. The first leg final will be played on June 2nd at Rigamonti at 9.15pm, return at Del Duca on Sunday 7th at 6pm. If group C had brought four teams to the quarter-finals, the runners-up from groups A and B instead reached the final. The last runners-up in the standings to achieve promotion dates back to 2021 (Alessandria). Here’s what happened in the return semi-finals.

BRESCIA-SALERNITANA 2-0 (first leg 1-1)

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The usual Valerio Crespi, already protagonist with the splendid equalizing goal in the first leg, unlocks Brescia-Salernitana in the opening and pushes Corini’s team towards the final. While at Arechi his splendid overhead kick had arrived at the end of time, this time the former Avellino striker took less than a minute to leave his mark with his tenth goal in 18 games: Zennaro won a tackle in the area which Anastasio went too softly (some protests from the guests), Lamesta’s cross inside and Crespi found the deflection taking advantage of the clash between Golemic and Donnarumma. The Salernitana goalkeeper, in pain after the blow suffered by his teammate, was forced to leave the field replaced by Brancolini. The match remains balanced and at the beginning of the second half Salernitana has the biggest opportunity: Berra, who has just come on in place of Matino, crosses over Inglese’s head which glorifies Gori. From then on Brescia defended their lead well and in the final – with their opponents unbalanced forward – closed the score on the counterattack with substitute Vido doubling the lead. In five of the last six home games, Corini’s team has not conceded a goal. Applauding in the stands, among others, was the great ex Sandro Tonali (already present in these playoffs) and two of the Esposito brothers (Salvatore and Sebastiano, while Pio will be busy with the national team from tomorrow).

CATANIA-ASCOLI 2-1 (first leg 0-4)

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An enormous undertaking was needed to turn the poker around immediately in the first leg. Catania tries, but doesn’t go beyond the 2-1 win over Ascoli which therefore takes advantage of the poker placed at Del Duca. Contested upon arrival at the stadium and then at the end of the match, Mimmo Toscano’s team immediately ignited the evening: Caturano’s opening goal came in fact at the start by exploiting an error with the feet of goalkeeper Vitale. Ascoli reacts well and comes close to equalizing several times, but the excellent Dini closes the door. Just before the interval, the second goal arrives which animates Massimino’s 20 thousand: Forte plays with Rizzo, for the referee Manedo Mazzoni everything is fine and the attacker goes straight to goal. Goals from former players for both Caturano and Forte, fielded as a duo by Toscano. In the second half, Catania came close to scoring a hat-trick with the post hit on the restart by D’Ausilio and here the game probably turns. In fact, after the thrill, Ascoli returned to the pitch and found the goal that closed the score thanks to Oviszach’s insertion from the left. End of Catania’s hopes, with the match suspended for five minutes due to firecrackers being thrown. Tomei’s team deservedly earned the pass to the final in the first leg.