CESENA RETURNS TO SERIE B
Cesena has ascended to Serie B six years after their last stint (2017/18), clinching the Girone B title with four matches to spare, thanks to a victory over Pescara. This marks their first home promotion since 1981, sealed by a late goal from Pierozzi in the 87th minute, assisted by Donnarumma.
The match kicked off with Cesena showing aggression, attempting two shots in the first six minutes through Shpendi and Kargbo, but both efforts were off target. Pescara responded in the ninth minute with Cuppone testing Pisseri, who deflected the shot for a corner. The Abruzzese side threatened from a distance, with Aloi firing just over the bar at the 20-minute mark of the half. Shpendi had another opportunity for Cesena in the 25th minute, but Plizzari parried his angled shot to a corner. The half's final attempt came from Pescara on the counter, with Accornero shooting wide.
Cesena continued to press in the second half, nearly scoring five minutes with Pieraccini, but his shot was deflected for a corner. Accornero hit the post a minute later following a fortunate deflection off Donnarumma. Shpendi came close in the 62nd minute with a shot just wide from the edge of the box. In the 68th minute, Cesena broke through on the left with Donnarumma, whose cross was cleared by Pescara's defense to a corner. Donnarumma's attempt in the 80th minute ended on the side netting. As time progressed, Pescara dropped deeper, making it increasingly difficult for Cesena to find clear-cut chances. The breakthrough came in the 87th minute from a Donnarumma free-kick, with Pierozzi heading in the decisive goal.
This goal secured the win, three points, and promotion for Cesena FC.
CESENA-PESCARA 1-0 (first-half 0-0)
GOAL: 87' Pierozzi.
CESENA (3-4-2-1): Pisseri; Pieraccini (62' Ciofi), Prestia, Silvestri; Adamo (74' Pierozzi), Francesconi, Saber (74' Chiarello), Donnarumma; Berti (62' Varone), Kargbo (54' Corazza); Shpendi. Subs: Klinsmann, Siano, Coccolo, Piacentini, Valentini, David, De Rose, Ogunseye.
COACH: Domenico Toscano.
PESCARA (4-3-3): Plizzari; Floriani, Brosco, Mesik, Milani; Dagasso (70' Franchino), Squizzato, Aloi (94' Sasanelli); Merola, Cuppone (83' Vergani), Accornero (70' Cangiano). Subs: Gasparini, Pellacani, Pierno, Moruzzi, Di Pasquale, Staver, De Marco, Tunjov, Meazzi, Masala, Capone.
Coach: Emmanuel Cascione.
REFEREE: Calzavara from Varese.
NOTES: Yellow cards: Floriani, Aloi, Accornero, Franchini, Pierozzi