Brescia took a commanding step toward the Serie C playoff semifinals with a decisive 3-0 away victory over Casarano in the first leg of the second round on May 17, 2026. The result, combined with a 2-0 home win for Salernitana over Ravenna and two goalless draws elsewhere, has set the stage for a tense set of return fixtures on May 20.
The Biancazzurri, coached by Eugenio Corini, produced an efficient display at the Stadio Giuseppe Capozza, with goals from Davide Balestrero, an own goal by Casarano's Negro, and a late strike from Andrea Crespi. Balestrero opened the scoring in the 19th minute, converting a chance that stemmed from Brescia's pressing high up the pitch. The early lead allowed Corini's men to control the tempo and frustrate the home side.
Casarano struggled to respond, and the match effectively slipped away in the second half when Negro inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 57th minute. Just two minutes later, Crespi added the third, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to slot home. The quick one-two punch left Casarano reeling and all but secured Brescia's passage to the next round.
Corini, a former midfielder with a wealth of experience in Serie A and B, has instilled a pragmatic yet attacking mindset in his squad. Since taking over, he has emphasized solid defensive organization while encouraging his forwards to exploit space on the counter. Against Casarano, that approach paid dividends as Brescia absorbed early pressure and then struck with clinical precision.
Brescia's journey through the Serie C playoffs has been marked by resilience. After finishing in a respectable position during the regular season, they entered the post-season as one of the favorites to progress. The playoff format, which features two-legged ties in the early rounds, rewards teams that can manage both home and away matches effectively. This first-leg performance puts them on the brink of the semifinals, where they could face one of the other surviving contenders.
Meanwhile, Salernitana gave themselves a solid advantage with a convincing 2-0 win over Ravenna at the Stadio Arechi. Facundo Lescano broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, finding the net with a well-placed shot after sustained pressure. Anastasio then sealed the result with a second goal in the 87th minute, ensuring that Ravenna would need a tremendous comeback in the second leg. Salernitana's home form has been a key factor all season, and they will travel with confidence.
In the other two second-round ties, neither Potenza nor Ascoli could find a breakthrough, ending 0-0 in a tightly contested match at the Stadio Alfredo Viviani. Similarly, Lecco and Catania played out a stalemate at the Rigamonti-Ceppi stadium, with both defenses holding firm. These results leave both matchups wide open: the return legs will be decisive, and the first goal could prove crucial.
The 0-0 draws highlight the cautious nature of playoff football, where the fear of conceding often outweighs the risk of pushing forward. Potenza will need to be more adventurous when they visit Ascoli, while Catania must make home advantage count against Lecco. For now, the balance hangs in the balance, and the smallest margin could separate the sides.
For Brescia, the focus now shifts to the return leg at their home ground, the Stadio Mario Rigamonti. With a three-goal cushion, Corini is likely to rotate some players and manage the fixture with the semifinal in mind. The club's supporters are already dreaming of a return to Serie B, a league Brescia last graced in the 2019-20 season. Promotion would mean a significant step up in competition and revenue, and the players are acutely aware of the stakes.
The Serie C playoff system is notoriously grueling, but Brescia's depth and experience could be decisive. Corini's ability to keep his squad focused and avoid complacency will be tested, but the team's professionalism has been evident throughout. The second leg against Casarano will be a formality if they maintain discipline, and the countdown to the semifinals has already begun.
As the playoff picture takes shape, Salernitana and the winners of the drawn ties will join Brescia in the final four, with the ultimate prize of promotion to Serie B on the line. The May 20 return matches promise drama, and every moment will be critical. For now, Brescia hold the strongest position, and Corini's vision of a semifinal berth is nearly a reality.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.