Polisportiva Pietralunghese secured a dominant 3-1 victory over Ilvamaddalena in a compelling Eccellenza Puglia encounter on Sunday evening (14 June 2026). The match, played at the home ground of Pietralunghese, saw the hosts turn in a vibrant attacking display to claim all three points and strengthen their position in the regional amateur league standings.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Pietralunghese pressed high and imposed themselves on the contest. Their early aggression paid off in the 12th minute when a well-worked move down the left flank ended with a precise finish from striker Marco Rizzi. Ilvamaddalena, however, showed resilience and gradually worked their way back into the game. The visitors equalised just before the half-hour mark through a powerful header from captain Andrea Conti, capitalising on a corner kick that caught the home defence off guard.

The first half ended at 1-1, with both sides having chances to edge ahead. Pietralunghese's midfield, led by playmaker Davide Russo, began to assert greater control as the half wore on, but Ilvamaddalena's compact defensive shape kept the scores level.

Second-Half Dominance

The home team came out after the interval with renewed purpose. Within five minutes of the restart, Pietralunghese reclaimed the lead. A quick counter-attack saw winger Luca Ferri race clear of the away defence and slot the ball calmly past the goalkeeper. The goal visibly lifted the hosts, who began to dominate possession and territory.

Ilvamaddalena struggled to create clear-cut chances in the second period. Their midfield was often overrun, and the visitors’ attempts to push forward left gaps at the back. Pietralunghese capitalised on this in the 72nd minute when substitute Alessandro Belli, introduced just ten minutes earlier, latched onto a loose ball inside the box and fired a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.

Standout Performances

Marco Rizzi was a constant threat up front, scoring one goal and assisting another. His tireless running and intelligent movement unsettled the Ilvamaddalena centre-backs throughout the match. Meanwhile, Davide Russo pulled the strings in midfield, completing over 40 passes and creating three chances for his teammates.

For the visitors, goalkeeper Marco De Luca made several sharp saves to keep his side in the game, particularly in the first half. Despite the 3-1 scoreline, Ilvamaddalena showed moments of quality but ultimately lacked the cutting edge needed to trouble the home defence consistently.

Season Context

This victory moves Polisportiva Pietralunghese into a promising position in the Eccellenza Puglia table. With the season entering its decisive phase, every point is crucial in the race for promotion to Serie D. Ilvamaddalena, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly as they battle to avoid sliding into the relegation playoff zone. Their defensive lapses in the second half will be a key area for the coaching staff to address in training this week.

The match proved an entertaining affair for the neutral fan, showcasing the passion and intensity that defines Italian amateur football at the regional level.