Benevento, August 23, 2026 – Stage and reality. Serie B, ladies and gentlemen, is this and there is no escaping it. It seemed impossible that the beautiful Modena seen in Venice could play outside that standard for a time, yet it did. On the contrary, it seemed extremely complicated to overturn, yet it happened. The philosophical Galloppa will remember it for a long time and learn, but now he enjoys it because three points are already very useful.
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The first half resembles one of those steep and tiring climbs that the best cyclists face during a tour. How much effort did Modena make to seek that famous game plan required by Galloppa, through precise construction and effective possession. Things that, instead, were not seen. So much so that at the halftime whistle, it was right that perplexity won over hope and trust that every debut brings with it. The Canaries appear shy, blocked by some kind of mood or emotion. For a very good half hour, the shots on goal count reads “zero” and Benevento takes advantage of every condition in its favor. Floro Flores’ team creates a couple of chances with Kouan and then with Prisco, the best one is Lamesta’s at 23’, practically one-on-one with Chichizola: the ball astonishingly wide. It is the prelude to Salvemini’s goal at 26’, born from a hesitation in the build-up phase that is becoming well known, by now, in Galloppa’s notebook. The goal disallowed for Tonoli is a flash in the dark. Consistently, Modena lets itself be carried to the end of the first half and, in hindsight, does well to reset everything to then propose a different attitude in the second half. It is up to the veterans to turn around the fate of a debut that was about to become the worst start. At the stroke of the hour, after the chance that fell to Salvemini, almost everything changes. A deflection allows Santoro, who came on a couple of minutes earlier for Imputato, to celebrate the equalizer from distance, Salvemini’s crossbar shortly after is the sign that something is changing. Meanwhile, Modena switches again to the false nine with Stenio coming on for Pedro and Ambrosino as striker. Destiny, at this point, plays its part: Bianco’s shot from outside is not held and suddenly Caso appears, awaited here for a year.
It is not a coincidence, it is destiny. And it was partly pushed by Galloppa’s choices, whose approach, however, must be noted was not the best. Two faces, but the second is better and that is what counts. Winning debut, in August (but also in October, December or April) the three points count. The game, however, will have to be blended.
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The scorecard
Benevento-Modena 1-2
BENEVENTO (4-2-3-1): Vannucchi; Pierozzi (34’ st Sernicola), Caldirola (34’ st Schimenti), Scognamillo, Beruatto; Maita, Prisco (25’st Talia); Cherubini (25’ st Saio), Kouan (34’ st Mignani), Lamesta; Salvemini. On the bench: Esposito, Sylla, Statounis, Dalle Mura, Giugliano, Logan, Talia, Donatiello. Coach Floro Flores.
MODENA (3-4-2-1): Chchizola; Tonoli, Nador, Nieling; Imputato (18’ st Stenio), Brugman, Bianco (36’ st Bozhanaj), Zampano; Caso (36’ st Azzi), Ambrosino (45’ st Montevago); Mendes (18’ st Santoro). On the bench: Maran, Consiglio, Beyuku, Odero, Bacchin, Egharevba, Arnaboldi. Coach Galloppa.
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Referee: Mazzoni from Prato (BacciniBelsanti)
Scorers: 26’ 1st half Salvemini, 20’ 2nd half Santoro, 31’ 2nd half Caso
Notes. Spectators. Booked: Stenio, Bianco (cnr), Sernicola (gf).
Corners 8-4. Added time: 2’ 1st half, 4’ 2nd half
