Varese-Season 1-1: Manganese for 95'rigour (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• Beretta puts Varese ahead in the 4th minute
• Bontempi equalizes in the 40th minute of the second half
• Mangano saves Nappo's penalty in stoppage time
• Varese-Lentigione ends 1-1

Key facts

• Match → Varese-Lentigione 1-1
• Lead → Beretta in the 4th minute of the first half
• Equalizer → Bontempi in the 40th minute of the second half
• Decisive save → Mangano saves Nappo's penalty
• Stadium → Franco Ossola
• Next fixture → Crema
• Coppa Italia → Pro Patria at Masnago on Wednesday 7 October

A point defended in stoppage time

In the 4th minute of the first half, Varese broke the deadlock against Lentigione. Beretta exchanged passes with Favale, entered the box and beat Mosca with an inside-foot touch that went in at the far post. The goal put the biancorossi 1-0 up after a strong start. Varese's defense held firm and the lead stood without much trouble, although Varese's attack failed to make an impact.

The match remained 1-0 to the biancorossi until the end of the second half. The visitors, who played almost entirely in Varese's half in the second half, increased the pressure and in the 40th minute found space for the equalizer. Jassey crossed from the right, Bontempi was left unmarked in the box and headed in the 1-1.

After the goal, Lentigione continued to push. Almost as the five minutes of stoppage time were about to expire, another turning point came: the referee awarded the Emilian side a penalty for Bruzzone pulling Bontempi. Nappo took it, but Mangano guessed the side and saved the shot. The penalty duel was thus won by the Varese goalkeeper, who preserved the 1-1 and allowed the team to take at least a point.

The result moves the team up the table, but cannot make the Franco Ossola happy, as it had hoped to celebrate the season's first home win. Varese had the lead, defended it for a long time and then risked losing it late on. Mangano's save prevented Lentigione's comeback and secured the draw, leaving the biancorossi with a point after a second half considered too passive.

Operational details

The match setup

The initial choices

The return to the Franco Ossola came after Varese had broken the duck at Pontedera with their first league win. The Biancorossi were therefore looking to give their fans the season's first home joy. However, a far-from-soft Lentigione arrived at Masnago, a team aiming for a high finish in the table and coming off three consecutive wins before being beaten 1-0 at home by Cittadella Modena.

Ciceri set Varese up in a 4-3-3, dropping De Ponti back into defense to make room for Piantoni in midfield alongside Malinverno and Beretta. Favale, Barzotti and Bianchi started up front. Lentigione chose the same formation. Pedrelli, suspended, was replaced on the bench by Costa; in midfield the visitors fielded former player Battistello, while Mascanzoni, with Jassey and Alessandrini, led the attacking line.

The first-half chances

The opening minutes were a feeling-out period, until the first Biancorossi attack. In the 6th minute, Varese tried to double their lead, but Favale struck a poor shot from outside the box after a fine move. Lentigione took a few minutes to make their presence felt, and Mangano was immediately alert to Battistello's through ball for Mascanzoni. In the 13th minute, the goalkeeper came off his line low to stop Alessandrini, played through vertically by Mascanzoni.

Ciceri's side continued to keep danger at bay thanks to high, organized pressing, which allowed them to win back possession well away from Mangano's goal. The match remained without any major chances until the 25th minute, when the referee awarded Lentigione an indirect free kick inside the box. The move had originated from a back pass by Salera, clearly deflected by an opposing attacker, which Mangano had then caught with his hands.

The decision prompted protests from Varese and Ciceri's disapproval. Nappo, however, fired over, prompting a sigh of relief at the Franco Ossola. In the 34th minute, the Emilian side created their real chance of the first half with a ground-based move involving all three attackers: Mascanzoni finished centrally and Mangano parried.

Late in the half, Lentigione tried to push forward with greater intensity. Varese dropped back a few yards, without allowing themselves to be pinned back, and also held firm against the visitors' corners. The Biancorossi side thus reached halftime still maintaining their lead.

Key points

The follow-up between Crema and the Coppa Italia

The next appointment

Next week, Varese will be playing in Crema. The away match is seen as an opportunity to seek another positive result and find the necessary momentum ahead of the next commitment. In fact, on Wednesday, October 7th, Pro Patria will arrive at Masnago for the Coppa Italia challenge.

The course of events is therefore already outlined: first the match in Crema, then the home match against Pro Patria. For Varese, these will be the next two scheduled appointments following the draw with Lentigione, with the search for a positive result and the cup match set in Masnago.

Varese Match Report

The match report lists Mangano in goal; Salera, De Ponti, Bruzzone, and Berbenni in defense; Malinverno, Piantoni, and Beretta in midfield; Favale, Barzotti, and Bianchi in attack. The indicated formation is 4-3-3, with Ciceri as coach.

During the second half, Varese used Sovogui for Favale at 21', Costante for Piantoni at 27', Fabris for Bianchi at 31', Molinari for Beretta at 43', and Tronci for Berbenni at 44'. Gruttadauria, Dodaj, Ndagijimana, and Gallotti were available on the bench.

Lentigione Match Report

Lentigione took the field with Mosca; Capiluppi, Mele, Gobbo, and Bita in defense; Battistello, Nappo, and Giorgi in midfield; Jassey, Mascanzoni, and Alessandrini in attack. The reported formation for the visitors is also 4-3-3.

In the 25th minute of the second half, Bontempi replaced Capiluppi and Chiesa replaced Giorgi. Delti, Addiego Mobilio, Gualtieri, Mordini, Landini, and Buci were on the bench. The match report thus completes the picture of the game before the double stretch of matches awaiting Varese: the away trip to Crema and the Coppa Italia challenge against Pro Patria in Masnago.

Source: varesenews.it