Potenza Beat Catania 2-1 in Serie C Thriller

Potenza secured a 2-1 victory over Catania FC in Italian Serie C on 17 October 2026, with a late goal deciding a competitive match at the Stadio Alfredo Viviani. The home side took the lead early, survived a Catania comeback, and found the winning moment in the closing stages to claim all three points.

The result is a significant one in the Serie C Girone C standings, giving Potenza a boost in their push for a strong league position while denting Catania’s momentum. It was a match of contrasting spells: Potenza started strongly, Catania grew into the contest, and the final minutes delivered the decisive blow.

Match Overview

Potenza began with intent, pressing Catania high and forcing turnovers in midfield. Their early dominance was rewarded when Mattia Rossetti opened the scoring, finishing a well-constructed move inside the box. Catania responded well, though, gradually settling into the game and finding more space between Potenza’s midfield and defense.

The visitors equalized after the break through Giuseppe De Luca, whose finish capped a period of sustained pressure. At that point, Catania looked the more likely side to score again, but Potenza regrouped, tightened their defensive shape, and found a late winner through Emanuele Schimmenti.

Key Moments

• 18th minute: Potenza took the lead when Mattia Rossetti converted a low cross with a composed finish from close range.
• 34th minute: Catania threatened for the first time, forcing a save from a header at the back post.
• 54th minute: Giuseppe De Luca equalized for Catania, finishing neatly after a quick exchange on the edge of the box.
• 82nd minute: Potenza restored their lead when Emanuele Schimmenti struck from the edge of the area, beating the goalkeeper with a low drive.
• 90+4th minute: Potenza’s goalkeeper made a late save to deny Catania a last-gasp equalizer.

Tactical Story

Potenza’s 3-5-2 setup allowed them to control the central areas and create overloads in wide positions. Their wing-backs pushed forward regularly, and the early goal came from exactly that kind of wide combination. Catania adjusted after the break, pressing higher and forcing Potenza into longer clearances. The equalizer arrived when Catania finally managed to sustain possession in the final third.

The decisive tactical shift came late in the second half, when Potenza introduced fresh legs in midfield and increased their intensity against Catania’s build-up. That pressure led to the winning goal, with Schimmenti finding space just outside the box. Catania pushed for a second equalizer in stoppage time, but Potenza defended with concentration and held on for a valuable win.

Standout Performers

Mattia Rossetti set the tone for Potenza with his early goal and intelligent movement throughout. Emanuele Schimmenti delivered the match-winning moment and was a driving force in the second half, while the defense recovered well after a difficult spell following Catania’s equalizer. For Catania, Giuseppe De Luca was the standout, taking his goal well and leading the line with purpose.

Table Impact and What’s Next

The win strengthens Potenza’s position in the Serie C standings and gives them confidence ahead of a demanding run of fixtures. Catania, meanwhile, will be disappointed to leave empty-handed after controlling parts of the second half. The result adds another twist to the head-to-head record between the clubs and underlines how important late-game execution can be in Serie C.

Potenza will look to build on the energy of this performance, particularly their ability to respond after conceding. Catania must regroup quickly and find greater cutting edge in the final third. With the Serie C season still offering plenty of opportunity to climb the table, both sides will know this was the kind of match that can shape momentum.