Bari 3-1 Modena: Serie B 2025-26 match report

Bari secured a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Modena at the Stadio San Nicola on Monday, reinforcing their standing in the Serie B table with a disciplined performance. Moreno Longo’s 3-4-2-1 tactical setup proved effective in stifling the visitors, while Andrea Sottil’s 3-5-2 formation struggled to find rhythm until the closing stages of the contest.

The opening

The match began with a high level of intensity, but the momentum shifted decisively toward the hosts midway through the first half. In the 20th minute, a VAR review confirmed a penalty in favor of Bari, providing a pivotal opportunity to break the deadlock. Gabriele Moncini stepped up in the 22nd minute and converted the spot-kick, placing Bari in control.

The setback appeared to rattle the Modena defense, which struggled to regain its composure. Just nine minutes later, in the 31st minute, a defensive lapse resulted in an own goal by Davide Adorni, doubling Bari’s lead. Despite Sottil’s attempts to organize his side from the touchline, Modena struggled to create significant threats in the final third before the halftime whistle, leaving the visitors with a significant deficit to overcome.

The decisive moment

Recognizing the need for a tactical shift, Andrea Sottil made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Samuel Wiafe, Francesco Zampano, and Ettore Gliozzi. The changes briefly injected energy into the Modena side, and the visitors looked to press higher up the pitch. However, Bari remained disciplined, and the game’s tension remained palpable as another VAR intervention in the 51st minute resulted in a penalty claim for Bari being overturned.

As the second half progressed, the match became increasingly physical, characterized by a series of tactical substitutions and a yellow card for Bari’s Giulio Maggiore in the 59th minute. While Modena searched for a way back into the game, Bari’s defensive structure, anchored by their three-man backline, held firm.

The decisive blow arrived in the 80th minute. A well-constructed move saw Mehdi Dorval provide an assist for Marvin Çuni, who found the back of the net to extend Bari’s lead to 3-0. Although Modena managed to claw one back in the 90th minute through Giuseppe Ambrosino—assisted by G. Beyuku—the goal served only as a consolation. The final minutes were marked by a flurry of late yellow cards, including cautions for Fabio Gerli, Valerio Mantovani, and Y. Massolin, but the result was never in doubt as the referee blew for full time.

Looking ahead

For Bari, this victory serves as a vital affirmation of their tactical consistency under Moreno Longo, keeping them firmly in the mix for their end-of-season objectives. Modena, conversely, will need to address their defensive fragility and lack of clinical edge in the final third if they are to climb the Serie B standings in the coming weeks.