L'Aquila won a five-goal thriller on 18 October 2026, beating Recanatese 3-2 in Italian Serie D after a dramatic second half. The visitors led comfortably at one stage, but Recanatese fought back to level before L'Aquila found a late winner to take all three points.

Match overview

L'Aquila started strongly and took the lead in the 14th minute through Marco Ricci, who finished calmly after being played through on goal. Ricci doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute, heading in from a deep cross. Recanatese needed a response and got one just before half-time, Alessandro Bruno converting a penalty after a foul inside the box.

The home side carried that momentum into the second half and equalised in the 61st minute when Bruno scored his second of the game, finishing a rebound after a fine save. Recanatese pushed for a winner, but L'Aquila's substitutions changed the flow of the match. The decisive moment came in the 86th minute, Davide Santoro arriving at the back post to convert a low cross and spark wild celebrations among the away players.

Key moments

• 14' – Recanatese 0-1 L'Aquila: Marco Ricci beats the offside trap and finishes coolly.
• 33' – Recanatese 0-2 L'Aquila: Ricci heads home from a deep cross.
• 44' – Recanatese pull one back: Alessandro Bruno converts a penalty.
• 61' – Recanatese equalise: Bruno reacts quickest to a rebound and makes it 2-2.
• 86' – L'Aquila win it: Davide Santoro arrives at the back post to score the late winner.

Tactical story

L'Aquila's 4-2-3-1 was designed to absorb pressure and strike on the break, and it worked perfectly in the first half. Recanatese dominated possession but left gaps in behind, which L'Aquila exploited ruthlessly. After half-time, Recanatese pushed their full-backs higher and forced L'Aquila deeper, but the visitors' counter-attacking threat remained. The winning goal came from exactly that pattern: a quick transition and a cross into the box.

Standout players

Marco Ricci was excellent for L'Aquila, scoring twice and stretching the Recanatese defence throughout. Santoro's late winner capped a strong substitute appearance. For Recanatese, Bruno showed great character with two goals, but his side's defensive lapses proved costly in the end.

Season impact

The win gives L'Aquila an important away victory and strengthens their position in the Serie D standings. Recanatese will be frustrated after fighting back so well, but the defeat highlights the fine margins in a competitive division. Both teams showed plenty of attacking quality, and this match will be remembered as one of the more entertaining fixtures of the round.