Venezia kicked off their pre-season preparations in emphatic fashion, demolishing Vis Pesaro 8-0 in an international club friendly on 23 July 2026. The match, played at Venezia’s training base, served as a stark statement of intent from the Italian side as they build towards the upcoming competitive season. The scoreline reflected a complete dominance in all phases, leaving the visiting third-tier side with little respite.

Match Overview

The friendly was scheduled as part of Venezia’s summer programme, offering manager Paolo Vanoli a chance to test combinations and fitness levels against lower-league opposition. From the opening whistle, the Serie B side showcased sharp passing and aggressive pressing. Vis Pesaro, competing in Serie C, struggled to contain the relentless waves of attack. By half-time, Venezia had already built a commanding 5-0 lead, and the second half brought three more goals to complete the rout.

Key Moments

• Early breakthrough: Venezia opened the scoring in the 8th minute when winger Dennis Johnsen cut inside from the left and curled a shot beyond the Vis Pesaro goalkeeper.
• Rapid double: Two goals in three minutes around the half-hour mark effectively ended the contest. First, striker Joel Pohjanpalo converted a cross from the right, then midfielder Gianluca Busio fired home from distance.
• Second-half flurry: Venezia continued to push forward after the interval, with substitute Gaetano Oristanio scoring twice and left-back Francesco Zampano adding a rare goal from a corner.
• Clean sheet: Despite heavy rotation in the second half, Venezia’s defence remained organised, limiting Vis Pesaro to just one speculative shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.

Standout Performers

Joel Pohjanpalo led the line with a hat-trick, showing his predatory instincts inside the box. The Finnish international’s movement and finishing were a cut above the opposition defence. Gaetano Oristanio also impressed off the bench, his two goals highlighting his potential as a creative impact player for the season ahead. In midfield, Gianluca Busio controlled the tempo and capped his display with a stunning strike from range.

Tactical Story

Venezia employed a high-pressing 4-3-3 formation that suffocated Vis Pesaro’s attempts to build from the back. The full-backs pushed high, creating overloads in wide areas, while the midfield trio dominated possession and transitions. Vis Pesaro, set up in a compact 4-4-2, were unable to find an outlet and often resorted to long clearances that were easily collected by Venezia’s centre-backs. The gulf in class was evident, but Vanoli’s tactical clarity ensured his side remained focused for the full match.

Seasonal Context

For Venezia, such a lopsided friendly result provides an early confidence boost after a summer of squad rebuilding. The Biancoverdi finished mid-table in Serie B last term and will aim to push for promotion playoffs this season. Vis Pesaro, meanwhile, will treat the heavy defeat as a learning experience against higher-level opposition as they prepare for their own Serie C campaign. The match allowed Venezia’s fringe players essential minutes, and the clean sheet will please a defensive unit that has been a work in progress.

The 8-0 scoreline marks the largest margin of victory in Venezia’s pre-season fixtures in recent memory, underscoring the team’s sharpness and ambition heading into the new term.