The Serie C playoffs delivered high drama as Union Brescia and Ascoli booked their places in the two-legged final, extinguishing the promotion dreams of Salernitana and Catania. With the last remaining ticket to Serie B on the line, the final is scheduled for June 2 and 7, promising a tense battle.
Brescia entered the second leg at home against Salernitana with the tie poised at 0-0 after a stalemate at the Arechi. Manager Eugenio Corini's side wasted no time seizing control, as Valerio Crespi struck just 46 seconds into the contest. A low cross caused chaos in the Salernitana defense: goalkeeper Donnarumma and defender Golemic collided, leaving Crespi with an open goal from close range. The early blow forced Salernitana coach Serse Cosmi into an immediate change, with Brancolini replacing the injured Donnarumma. Despite the setback, the visitors gradually grew into the game. Midfielder Mallamo tested the Brescia keeper with a stinging drive, but the home side held firm.
After the break, Salernitana pushed forward with increasing urgency. Veteran striker Roberto Inglese came agonizingly close to an equalizer, but his effort missed the target. Brescia looked to exploit the spaces on the counter, and Crespi thought he had doubled the lead only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. In a frantic finale, Salernitana threw everything forward, even sending goalkeeper Brancolini up for a last-gasp corner. But the gamble backfired spectacularly: Brescia cleared the danger and launched a rapid counterattack, finished clinically by Luca Vido deep into stoppage time. The 2-0 victory sealed Brescia's passage to the final, leaving Salernitana to reflect on what might have been.
Meanwhile, Ascoli traveled to Sicily to face Catania holding a commanding 4-0 first-leg advantage. Any thoughts of a comfortable evening evaporated quickly. A defensive error from Ascoli's Milanese, whose misplaced backpass was pounced upon by Caturano, gave Catania a seventh-minute lead. Catania goalkeeper Dini then produced a string of impressive saves to keep his team's faint hopes alive, denying Ascoli a crucial away goal. Before halftime, the home side struck again through Forte, making it 2-0 and raising the prospect of a miraculous comeback in front of a roaring Massimino crowd.
The second half saw Catania come close to a third when D'Ausilio rattled the post, while Ascoli almost put the tie to bed on the counter through Gori, only to be denied. With tension mounting, substitute Oviszach settled the affair in the 83rd minute. His goal not only halted Catania's momentum but effectively booked Ascoli's ticket to the final, despite the 2-1 defeat on the night. The 5-2 aggregate scoreline reflected Ascoli's dominance in the first leg and their resilience in the second.
The final pits two historic clubs against each other, each desperate to return to the second tier. For Brescia, a city with a proud footballing tradition, promotion would cap a determined campaign under Corini. Ascoli, similarly, have tasted Serie B football in recent years and will view this as a golden opportunity for redemption.
The two-legged format—with the first match on June 2 and the return on June 7—ensures that the tie will be a test of tactical acumen and mental fortitude. As the dust settles on the semifinals, the focus shifts to the ultimate prize. Salernitana and Catania, despite valiant efforts, saw their seasons end in heartbreak. Now, Brescia and Ascoli are 180 minutes away from Serie B. The stage is set for a compelling finale to the Serie C postseason.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.