Pro Patria win five-goal thriller at Pontedera

Pro Patria came away from the Stadio Ettore Mannucci with a 3-2 victory over Pontedera on Saturday evening, winning a back-and-forth Serie D contest that swung one way and then the other.

Pro Patria started fast and took the lead in the ninth minute when Andrea Colombo found space behind the Pontedera defence and finished calmly. Pontedera responded well, equalising in the 18th minute through Matteo Nardi, whose shot from the edge of the area took a slight deflection on its way in. The home side then enjoyed their best spell of the match, but Pro Patria survived and regained control after the interval.

Second-half drama

Colombo struck again in the 55th minute, finishing a quick counter-attack to put Pro Patria back in front. Pontedera refused to lie down, and Lorenzo Bellini made it 2-2 in the 67th minute with a powerful header from a corner. The game looked set for a draw until the 82nd minute, when Riccardo Ferrario latched onto a through ball and lifted his finish over the advancing goalkeeper to seal all three points for the visitors.

Key moments

• 9' — Andrea Colombo gives Pro Patria an early lead.
• 18' — Matteo Nardi equalises for Pontedera.
• 55' — Colombo scores his second to restore Pro Patria’s advantage.
• 67' — Lorenzo Bellini heads Pontedera level again.
• 82' — Riccardo Ferrario scores the winning goal for Pro Patria.
• 90+2' — Pontedera appeal for a penalty, but the referee waves play on.

Tactical story

Pontedera used a 4-2-3-1 and tried to dominate possession, pushing their full-backs high and creating overloads on the flanks. Pro Patria lined up in a 4-4-2 and were happy to concede territory before breaking quickly. That strategy worked perfectly, with Colombo’s movement and Ferrario’s late run exposing the space Pontedera left behind. The home side created enough chances to take a point, but their defensive transitions proved costly.

Standout performers

Colombo was the standout for Pro Patria, scoring twice and constantly threatening in behind. Ferrario also made a decisive impact from the bench. For Pontedera, Bellini was a strong presence in both boxes, while Nardi drove the midfield forward throughout the second half.

What it means

The win gives Pro Patria an important away result and reinforces their reputation as a dangerous counter-attacking side in Serie D. Pontedera are left with a frustrating defeat after scoring twice at home, and they will need to tighten up defensively if they are to turn performances into points. The five-goal match was one of the most entertaining fixtures of the weekend.