Valenzana 3-2 ACSD Saluzzo — Valenzana edged a five-goal thriller in the Italian Serie D Cup, holding off a determined Saluzzo fightback to book their place in the next round with a 3-2 victory.

Match overview

This was cup football at its most breathless. Valenzana raced into a commanding lead with a sharp, incisive attacking display, only for Saluzzo to drag themselves back into contention and set up a tense finale. In the end, the hosts' first-half quality proved decisive, but not before their supporters had endured a nervous closing stretch.

Both sides contributed to an open, end-to-end contest. Chances arrived at both ends, tackles flew in around the penalty areas, and the tie was never truly settled until the final whistle.

Key moments

• Fast start: Valenzana took the lead early, capitalising on a defensive hesitation with a composed finish.
• Doubling up: A second goal arrived from a well-constructed move, the ball worked patiently into the box before being dispatched.
• Three up: The hosts looked to have sealed the tie when they added a third shortly after.
• Saluzzo respond: A goal before the interval gave the visitors a lifeline and completely changed the mood of the game.
• Nervy finish: Saluzzo halved the deficit again in the second half, but Valenzana's back line held firm through a frantic period of stoppage time.

Tactical story

Valenzana's approach was aggressive and vertical: win the ball high, attack quickly, and use the width of the pitch to pull Saluzzo's back four apart. That worked beautifully for the first hour, producing a three-goal cushion built on sharp combination play in the final third.

Saluzzo's response was to press higher themselves and commit more bodies forward, which turned the match into a series of quick transitions. It brought them goals and momentum, but it also left gaps that Valenzana nearly exploited on the counter to restore a two-goal margin.

Standout players

Valenzana's attacking midfielders were the creative heart of the performance, linking play intelligently and arriving in the box at exactly the right moments. Their defensive leader was equally important, organising a rearguard action in the final twenty minutes as Saluzzo threw caution to the wind.

For Saluzzo, the two goalscorers showed real character, dragging their team back into a match that had threatened to slip away entirely. Their second-half display was the best football either side produced after the break.

What it means

Cup competitions reward resilience as much as fluency, and Valenzana demonstrated both here. Progressing to the next round keeps their season alive on a second front and gives the squad valuable knockout experience. Saluzzo leave with the consolation of a spirited comeback, but also with the frustration of a slow start that ultimately cost them the tie.