Virtus Entella 2-1 Modena: Serie B 2025-26 match report

A tactical stalemate broken at the death

The midweek clash at the Stadio Comunale in Chiavari between Virtus Entella and Modena provided a compelling study in tactical rigidity. Andrea Chiappella’s Virtus Entella, deploying a 3-4-3 formation, sought to stretch the pitch, while Andrea Sottil’s Modena countered with a more compact 3-5-2 setup. For much of the opening half, the two sides neutralized each other’s primary attacking avenues, with the midfield battles often devolving into physical contests.

The tension finally broke in the closing moments of the first half. Virtus Entella’s T. Del Lungo found the breakthrough in the 45th minute, capitalizing on a moment of defensive hesitation to put the hosts ahead. However, the lead was short-lived. In a remarkable flurry of activity before the halftime whistle, Modena responded instantly, with D. Tonoli leveling the scoreline. The quick exchange of goals left the match perfectly poised at 1-1 as both managers retreated to the dressing rooms to reassess their strategies.

The decisive moment

The second half began with a noticeable increase in intensity. As the game progressed, both coaches turned to their benches to inject fresh energy into their respective systems. Chiappella was particularly active between the 57th and 63rd minutes, making a series of substitutions to alter the rhythm of the game. Sottil followed suit in the 69th minute, introducing L. Zanimacchia, E. Gliozzi, and G. Defrel in a triple substitution intended to wrestle control of the midfield and find a winner.

The match appeared destined for a draw until a chaotic sequence in the 85th minute defined the outcome. N. Karić, who had been cautioned earlier in the 77th minute, became the central figure of the drama. In a span of seconds, he managed to score what would prove to be the winning goal for Virtus Entella, assisted by L. Cuppone. However, the celebration was immediately tempered as Karić was issued a second yellow card for his involvement in the preceding play, resulting in a red card and leaving his side to defend their slender lead with ten men for the final minutes of regulation and stoppage time.

Looking ahead

Despite the numerical disadvantage in the final stages, Virtus Entella successfully managed the closing minutes to secure all three points. The victory serves as a vital morale boost for Chiappella’s men, reinforcing their ability to grind out results in high-pressure scenarios. For Modena, the defeat represents a missed opportunity to consolidate their position, leaving Sottil with significant questions to answer regarding his side’s defensive focus during the critical moments of the second half.