ASD Licata 2-1 US Siracusa: Late Winner Settles Sicilian Serie D Battle

ASD Licata secured a 2-1 victory over US Siracusa in Italian Serie D on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at the Stadio Dino Liotta, with a second-half goal deciding a fiercely competitive Sicilian fixture. The result gives Licata three valuable points in the promotion race and adds another chapter to one of the more intense local rivalries in the division.

The match was played at a high tempo from the first whistle. Licata pressed aggressively, Siracusa tried to control possession through midfield, and the lead changed hands in terms of momentum before the hosts found the decisive moment in the final quarter of the game.

Match overview

Licata started brightly and took the game to Siracusa early. Their front three pressed the visiting defence, forcing errors and winning the ball in advanced areas. That pressure paid off when Matteo Russo opened the scoring with a low finish after a quick move down the right, giving the home side a deserved advantage.

Siracusa gradually settled into the contest. Their midfield began to find pockets of space, and they used the width of the pitch to stretch Licata’s defensive shape. The equaliser arrived before half-time when Salvatore Greco connected with a corner and powered a header past the Licata goalkeeper, silencing the home crowd for a moment.

The second half was tighter and more tactical. Both sides had spells of control, but Licata’s intensity in the final third proved decisive. Davide Marino scored the winner in the 77th minute, finishing calmly after a turnover in midfield, and Licata’s defence held firm through a tense closing period.

Key moments

• 11th minute: Licata take the lead. Matteo Russo finds space on the right side of the box and drills a low shot into the far corner.
• 38th minute: Siracusa equalise. Salvatore Greco meets a corner with a strong header, giving the visitors a deserved route back into the game.
• 56th minute: Siracusa go close. A flowing move ends with a shot from the edge of the area, but Licata’s goalkeeper makes a solid save.
• 77th minute: Licata score the winner. Davide Marino reacts quickest to a loose ball after a midfield turnover and finishes neatly inside the box.
• 90+4 minutes: Siracusa launch a final attack, but Licata defend their area with composure and clear the danger.

Tactical story

Licata’s success was built on energy and aggression. Their 4-3-3 shape allowed them to press Siracusa’s ball-carriers, and they frequently forced the visitors into hurried passes. When they won possession, Licata looked to attack quickly, often targeting the space behind Siracusa’s full-backs.

Siracusa, by contrast, preferred a more patient approach. They tried to build through midfield, use their wide players to create overloads and rely on set pieces as a source of danger. The equaliser came from exactly that route, but Siracusa struggled to maintain the same level of control after half-time as Licata raised their pressing intensity.

The winning goal summed up the difference between the sides on the night: Licata were quicker to the second ball and more decisive in the crucial moments. Siracusa had chances to take something from the game, but they could not find a second equaliser.

Standout performers

Matteo Russo was a constant threat for Licata, opening the scoring and stretching the Siracusa defence with his movement. Davide Marino produced the decisive moment and worked tirelessly in midfield, while Licata’s back line deserves credit for surviving a late spell of pressure.

For Siracusa, Salvatore Greco was their most dangerous player. His header brought them level and he remained a threat from set pieces. The visitors also received a strong performance from their goalkeeper, who made several important saves to keep the game level for as long as possible.

What it means for the Serie D promotion race

The three points are significant for Licata, who keep themselves in touch with the promotion playoff places and strengthen their position in the Serie D standings. Winning tight home games against direct Sicilian rivals can be crucial over the course of a long season, and this performance showed the kind of resilience needed for a promotion push.

For US Siracusa, the defeat is a setback but not a decisive one. There were enough positive moments to suggest they can compete at the top end of the division, but they will need to turn promising spells into goals and points. In a Serie D campaign where consistency is everything, this was a night when Licata found the extra edge in front of goal.