Teramo and Notaresco Share the Spoils in Thrilling Serie D Cup Derby

S.S. Teramo Calcio and Notaresco Calcio 1924 played out an absorbing 2-2 draw in the Italian Serie D Cup on the night of 31 August 2026, keeping the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg. The Abruzzo derby produced everything a cup knockout should offer — early goals, a spirited comeback, and a dramatic late equaliser that left both sets of fans with plenty to debate.

Derby Intensity from the First Whistle

With local pride at stake, the match at Teramo's Stadio Gaetano Bonolis started at a ferocious tempo. The hosts, backed by a vocal home crowd, took the game to their provincial rivals in the opening exchanges. Teramo's attacking intent paid off just after the quarter-hour mark when a well-worked move down the right flank was finished coolly from close range to make it 1-0.

Notaresco, however, showed they had not travelled to simply make up the numbers. The away side gradually grew into the contest, pressing higher and forcing Teramo into uncharacteristic errors. Their equaliser arrived before the half-hour mark, a precise header from a corner that gave the Teramo goalkeeper no chance. The first half ended with both teams level and the atmosphere simmering.

Second-Half Drama and a Share of the Spoils

After the interval, the tempo remained high. Teramo regained the lead with a swift counter-attack that sliced open the Notaresco defence, restoring the home side's advantage just past the hour mark. With the home fans sensing victory, Notaresco dug deep and, in the final ten minutes, found the equaliser through a scrappy but determined finish from inside the box.

The 2-2 draw leaves the tie perfectly balanced ahead of the second leg on Notaresco's home turf. In Serie D Cup competitions, away goals often prove decisive, and Notaresco will feel they hold a slight edge after scoring twice on the road.

Key Talking Points

• Character from Notaresco: Twice behind and twice back on level terms — a sign of real resilience in a derby environment.
• Teramo's finishing: The hosts created several clear chances and will rue not taking a two-goal cushion into the return fixture.
• Midfield battle: Both sides pressed aggressively, but ultimately the game was decided by moments of individual quality in the final third.

What the Result Means

For Teramo, a well-supported club with ambitions of climbing the Italian football pyramid, this draw is a missed opportunity to take firm control of the cup tie. Their fans will expect a stronger defensive display in the second leg. Notaresco, meanwhile, will take great heart from the performance and now have the advantage of playing at home, where a 0-0 draw or any narrow win would send them through.

With the tie delicately poised, the second leg promises another compelling chapter in this Abruzzo rivalry. Both teams know that a place in the next round of the Serie D Cup is on the line, and with such little separating them, it could come down to a single moment of brilliance. The 2-2 scoreline may not have settled the tie, but it certainly set the stage for a dramatic conclusion.