Benevento Clinches Serie B Promotion as Catania Stumble at Home
Benevento have mathematically secured promotion to Serie B, sealing their return to the second tier after a three-year absence with three matches to spare. The confirmation arrived following a 1-0 victory over Salernitana at the Arechi stadium, coupled with an unexpected 2-1 home defeat for their nearest rivals, Catania, against Picerno. Antonio Floro Flores's side now leads the Serie C, Group C standings by a commanding 12-point margin.
Daniele Salvemini's second-half penalty proved decisive for Benevento against Salernitana, a result that extends their impressive campaign under president Oreste Vigorito. The club's promotion was effectively guaranteed hours earlier, however, when Catania suffered a surprising collapse in front of their own supporters. Having not lost at home under previous manager Michele Toscano, Catania conceded three goals in their last two home games under new boss Andrea Viali, who has overseen a drop in form with just four points from his first three matches in charge.
The defeat to Picerno was particularly damaging for Catania's fading hopes. The visitors, who had not won in their previous seven outings, came from behind to win with goals from Abreu and Bianchi in the first half. This result solidified Benevento's position at the summit, making them the second team to achieve direct promotion this week after Vicenza triumphed in Group A.
In other Serie C action, the race for the top spot in Group B remains intensely close, with Arezzo and Ascoli level on 71 points. At the opposite end of the tables, the relegation picture saw significant movement. In Group A, Pro Patria's fate is nearly sealed after a 1-1 draw with already-relegated Triestina, leaving them requiring a mathematical miracle to survive. Their situation worsened as AlbinoLeffe defeated Pergolettese 3-0, a result that drags Pergolettese deeper into the relegation battle while boosting AlbinoLeffe's playoff ambitions.
Group C's lower reaches also shifted, with Sorrento ending a six-match winless run to beat Altamura 2-0 and climb above Latina, who drew 1-1 with Cerignola. Giugliano also boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win over Crotone, while Casarano defeated Potenza 2-1 for their third consecutive home victory. The promotions and ongoing battles for playoff positioning and survival set the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the Serie C season across all three groups.
