Virtus Bozen is showing signs of life. © DLife

Already relegated? Virtus Bozen is showing signs of life

Many football fans have already written off Virtus Bozen this year. But South Tyrol's only Serie D club doesn't want to surrender to its fate without a fight and reported back with its third win of the season on Good Friday.

March 29, 2024

From: chm

Both teams started this meeting with a lot of momentum, although the ball mostly circulated in the midfield. Only after around 20 minutes did Virtus increase the number of hits and get closer to the Este goal. In the 23rd minute, Elis Kaptina left two opponents standing, but his shot from 2 meters went over the Este goal. 20 minute later Tschigg tried it from a similar position. This time the shot went wide of the post.

In the 30th minute, Centazzo played a one-two with Vinciguerra in the penalty area and was illegally prevented from shooting on goal by Maset. The result: penalty for Bolzano. Elis Kaptina stepped up and safely sank the ball to make it 1-0. In the 39th minute, Cremonini brought a corner kick in front of the opponent's goal. Arnaldo Kaptina's direct shot at goal was deflected out of the goal by a teammate. Shortly before the half-time whistle, it was Cremonini again who caused danger with a corner. This time Arnaldo Kaptina headed the ball just wide of the goal.

In the 50th minute, Osorio started a counterattack and set up Elis Kaptina in the half-right position. His shot was directed into the corner by the Este goalkeeper. 4 minutes later an almost identical situation. Once again it was Osorio who initiated the counterattack and again played to Elis Kaptina, who was also running along. This time the Virtus captain's shot was blocked by an opponent. In the 58th minute, Busetto misused a ball and Okoli was able to storm towards Morello. The Virtus goalkeeper was at his post and was able to knock the ball away. The equalizer for Este in the 67th minute. Former Virtus player Okoli hammered a pass into the penalty area from a half-left position in the penalty area into the near corner.

late luck

10 minutes later, Caccin tried a direct shot from 25 meters, but it clearly missed its target. In the 85th minute, substitute Zeni received a cross pass in front of the penalty area and hit the ball with a left-footed shot into the top corner. In the 89th minute, Morello secured the 3 points when he fished a well-taken free kick from Guitto from the top corner. In the remaining minutes, Este threw everything forward, but Virtus withstood the pressure and celebrated their 3rd win of the season.

By the way: 2 teams will end up being relegated directly to the Oberliga. The teams in positions 13 to 16 are fighting in the playout to stay in Serie D. Virtus, currently second to last, would have to score a lot in the remaining 5 games to make up for the big gap. Staying in the league remains a Herculean task for the Talferstadt team.

Virtus Bozen - Este 2:1

Virtus Bolzano: Morello, Tschigg, Kicaj, Busetto, Bussi (from 82. Moussaoui), Arnaldo Kaptina, Elis Kaptina, Centazzo (from 79. Zeni), Osorio (from 75. Stancic), Cremonini (from 75. Forti), Vinciguerra (from 65 .Milani)

East: Agosti, De Palma, Maset, Guitto, Giacomazzi, Zanetti (from 63. Piccardi), Franzolin (from 46. De Vido), Caccin, Moscatelli (from 83. Calgaro), Okoli (from 73. Cardellino), Tomasi (from 46 . Badon)
SR: Borello (Nichelino)

Gates: 1:0 penalty Elis Kaptina (30th); 1:1 Okoli (67th), 2:1 Zeni (85th)
Yellow card: Kicaj or Franzolin.

The table of Serie D (Group C)