Match report

Mantova Secures 3-0 Win Over Cesena in Serie B

Mantova
Mantova
3–0
FT
Cesena
Cesena
Mar 17, 2026

Mantova delivered a dominant performance to defeat Cesena 3-0 in a Serie B encounter. The hosts took the lead through an own goal by G. Zaro in the 6th minute, extended their lead with a goal from A. Meroni assisted by Alessio Castellini in the 57th minute, and secured their victory with a late goal from L. Mancuso in the 90th minute. Cesena struggled to find their rhythm, with three yellow cards and multiple substitutions failing to change the game's outcome.

Key Facts

  • • Mantova defeated Cesena 3-0 in Serie B
  • • G. Zaro's own goal gave Mantova the lead in the 6th minute
  • • A. Meroni scored Mantova's second goal in the 57th minute, assisted by Alessio Castellini
  • • L. Mancuso scored the final goal in the 90th minute, assisted by C. Falletti
  • • Cesena received three yellow cards and made several substitutions, but could not turn the game around

Lineups

Mantova

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 24 F. Bardi (G)
  • 13 A. Meroni (D)
  • 29 S. Cella (D)
  • 27 A. Castellini (D)
  • 3 A. Dembele (M)
  • 21 S. Trimboli (M)
  • 80 R. Kouda (M)
  • 50 F. Benaissa-Yahia (M)
  • 23 T. Marras (F)
  • 77 N. Buso (F)
  • 7 D. Mensah (F)

Substitutes

  • 34 A. Vukovic
  • 18 C. Falletti
  • 96 T. Maggioni
  • 15 T. Goncalves
  • 98 F. Zuccon
  • 10 D. Wieser
  • 17 N. Radaelli
  • 5 K. Chrysopoulos
  • 9 L. Mancuso
  • 36 F. Paoletti
  • 11 N. Muci
  • 28 M. Caprini

Cesena

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 33 J. Klinsmann (G)
  • 15 A. Ciofi (D)
  • 19 G. Zaro (D)
  • 26 M. Piacentini (D)
  • 18 M. Guidi
  • 70 M. Francesconi (M)
  • 27 T. Corazza (M)
  • 11 R. Ciervo (M)
  • 14 T. Berti (M)
  • 9 C. Shpendi (M)
  • 22 G. Vrioni (F)

Substitutes

  • 40 L. Ferretti
  • 1 A. Siano
  • 6 T. Arrigoni
  • 7 A. Cerri
  • 25 D. Bisoli
  • 32 M. Olivieri
  • 10 S. Bastoni
  • 16 P. Amoran
  • 28 S. Abbondanza
  • 74 R. Domeniconi
  • 44 M. Kebbeh

Timeline

  1. Mantova
    6' Mantova Goal · Own Goal
    G. Zaro
  2. Cesena
    49' Cesena Card · Yellow Card
    M. Guidi

    Foul

  3. Cesena
    53' Cesena Card · Yellow Card
    A. Ciofi

    Foul

  4. Cesena
    55' Cesena Card · Yellow Card
    M. Piacentini

    Foul

  5. Mantova
    57' Mantova Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Meroni · Assist: Alessio Castellini
  6. Cesena
    60' Cesena subst · Substitution 1
    Off: G. Vrioni · On: A. Cerri
  7. Mantova
    62' Mantova Card · Yellow Card
    S. Trimboli

    Foul

  8. Mantova
    62' Mantova subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Dembele · On: T. Maggioni
  9. Cesena
    63' Cesena subst · Substitution 2
    Off: T. Corazza · On: M. Olivieri
  10. Cesena
    63' Cesena subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Ciervo · On: S. Bastoni
  11. Mantova
    69' Mantova subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Mensah · On: L. Mancuso
  12. Mantova
    69' Mantova subst · Substitution 3
    Off: N. Buso · On: M. Caprini
  13. Cesena
    75' Cesena subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Francesconi · On: D. Bisoli
  14. Cesena
    75' Cesena subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Piacentini · On: P. Amoran
  15. Mantova
    82' Mantova subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Marras · On: C. Falletti
  16. Mantova
    82' Mantova subst · Substitution 5
    Off: S. Trimboli · On: F. Paoletti
  17. Mantova
    90' Mantova Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Mancuso · Assist: C. Falletti

Match Stats

Stat Mantova Cesena
Fouls 19 16
Pass Accuracy 85% 85%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 20 13
Corners 5 3
Total Passes 439 472
Yellow Cards 1 3
Blocked Shots 6 5
Shots on Target 4 3
xG 1.68 0.77
Shots off Target 10 5
Possession 48% 52%
Goals Prevented -1 -1
Accurate Passes 375 400
Shots Inside Box 12 7
Saves 3 2
Shots Outside Box 8 6

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The early own goal by G. Zaro set the tone for Mantova, putting pressure on Cesena right from the start
  • ▸ A. Meroni's goal in the 57th minute effectively sealed the victory for Mantova, despite Cesena's attempts to regroup