First Team

The friendly match between Cesena FC and AC Carpi at Acquapartita ended in a 1-0 victory, bringing the Bianconeri’s preseason training camp to a close.

The first half was evenly matched, with few chances for either side: the best opportunity fell to the visitors in the 31st minute, but Siano made an excellent save to keep the score level.

In the second half, the Cavalluccio stepped up the intensity and took the lead in the 53rd minute: Druiventak sprinted down the wing, beat his direct opponent with an elegant backheel, and, after cutting back toward the center, beat the goalkeeper to make it 1-0. In the closing minutes, Shpendi tried to seal the deal with an angled right-footed shot, but his attempt went just wide.

Here’s what Coach Alessandro Diamanti had to say after the match: “My assessment of the training camp is very positive. I’m truly happy for these guys and for what they’ve given every day on the field over these two weeks. It’s clear there’s a lot of work to be done, but I don’t think that’s a huge surprise at this point in the season. We’re here to work, improve, and take it day by day, always adding a little more.”

“What did I like most about the training camp? Definitely the willingness these guys showed to adapt to a training methodology that was completely new to them. The drive and positivity they brought to the field are a fantastic foundation to build on. Of course, we need to work on the details, and we still need to put in a lot of physical work—though I can assure you they arrived with their legs completely spent, just as we wanted. Today, during the first fifteen minutes, there was a bit of fear, and I talked to the guys about it: we always have to play hard and, above all, we have to have fun. You can’t play soccer if you’re afraid—there can’t be any fear; we have to be free.”

“Soccer belongs to the fans, and we need them. Cesena is a passionate place, and that was one of the reasons I chose Cesena, so it’s great that they’re behind us. I’m sure they’ll always be there for us, because we’ll give it our all, we’ll sweat it out on the field just as they expect, and we’ll try to do our very best.”

Cesena FC – AC Carpi 1-0

Goal: 53’ Druiventak (C)

Cesena FC: Siano (79’ Fontana), Bisoli (68’ Casadei T.), David (68’ Natta), Francesconi (68’ Bertaccini), Castagnetti (46’ Arrigoni), Zaro (46’ Piacentini), Mangraviti, Caprini (82’ Zamagni), Druiventak (60’ Shpendi), Tosku (46’ Castorri), Casadei M. (46’ Schirone). Substitutes: Gianfanti. Coach: Diamanti

AC Carpi (first half): Scacchetti, Zagnoni, Cecotti, Astrologo, Lombardi, Rossini, Vitale, Figoli, Sall, Zarpellon, Puletto. Substitutes: Gasperini, Perta, Nesi, Maggio, Desole, Giva, Tcheuna, Bagatti, Forapani, Casarini, Montipò, Viti, Piccirillo. Coach: Cassani

AC Carpi (second half): Gasperini; Nesi, Zagnoni (76’ Maggio), Desole; Tcheuna, Bagatti, Casarini, Cecotti (replaced by Giva at 60’); Vitale (75’ Viti), Forapani (80’ Piccirillo); Montipò. Substitutes: Scacchetti, Perta, Lombardi, Rossini, Astrologo, Figoli, Zarpellon, Puletto, Sall. Coach: Cassani

Referee: Rashed from Imola