“Gabriel Strefezza opens the scoring for Palermo, finishing off a Claudio Gome assist to make it 1-0.”
“Antonio Palumbo converts a penalty right before the break to put Palermo 2-0 up, appearing to put the tie beyond doubt.”
Pivotal“Rachid Kouda levels the match at 2-2, completing a stunning three-minute turnaround after Mantova's triple substitution at half-time reshaped the game.”
Pivotal“Joel Pohjanpalo restores Palermo's lead at 3-2, assisted by Dennis Johnsen, after Hernani had hit the post moments earlier.”
Pivotal“Joel Pohjanpalo caps off his brace and Palermo's late surge with a fifth goal in stoppage time, sealing a 5-2 rout.”
Palermo
Mantova
Outstanding performance
Palermo•AttackerPalermo took control early through Gabriel Strefezza and doubled their lead through an Antonio Palumbo penalty right before half-time, but a triple substitution at the break transformed Mantova, who scored twice in three minutes through Francesco Ruocco and Rachid Kouda to level at 2-2. Despite Mantova dominating possession (57%) and dangerous attacks (45 to 25), Palermo were far more clinical, converting from fewer meaningful openings while making 26 tackles to disrupt Mantova's rhythm. Joel Pohjanpalo proved the difference after coming on, scoring twice either side of a Dennis Johnsen strike to turn a nervy 2-2 draw into a comprehensive 5-2 victory in the closing stages. For a side sitting 18th in their league, this was a much-needed statement result, while Mantova's wasteful finishing - despite creating the better chances - will sting heading into their next fixture.
How entertaining was this match?
assist: Dominic Vavassori
Goal! Joel Pohjanpalo scores, making it 5-2.
Stefano Cella takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Alessio Castellini takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Dennis JohnsenDennis Johnsen takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Jacopo Segre
Goal! Dennis Johnsen scores, making it 4-2, assisted by Jacopo Segre.
Rares Ilie takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Offside.
Bodin Tomasevic takes a header, but it's saved.
Bodin Tomasevic is substituted off for Tommaso Del Lungo.
Substitution: Jacopo Segre comes on for Claudio Gomes.
Joel PohjanpaloJoel Pohjanpalo scores with a right-footed shot.
assist: Dennis Johnsen
Goal! Joel Pohjanpalo scores to make it 3-2, assisted by Dennis Johnsen.
Hernani Azevedo Junior takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Hernani Azevedo Junior takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
Corner awarded.
Francesco RuoccoYellow CardFrancesco Ruocco receives a yellow card.
Patryk Peda comes on for Giangiacomo Magnani.
Hernani Azevedo Junior is substituted off for Antonio Palumbo.
Joel Pohjanpalo comes on for Alessandro Gabrielloni.
Offside.
Vanja Vlahovic comes on for Ettore Gliozzi.
Alessandro GabrielloniYellow CardAlessandro Gabrielloni receives a yellow card.
Ettore Gliozzi takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Rachid KoudaRachid Kouda takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Rareș Ilie
Goal! Rachid Kouda scores, bringing the match to 2-2.
Francesco RuoccoFrancesco Ruocco scores with a right-footed shot.
Goal! Francesco Ruocco scores, making it 2-1.
Claudio Gome's right-footed shot is saved.
Dennis Johnsen replaces Gabriel Strefezza.
Jonathan Silva replaces Federico Chinetti.
Ettore Gliozzi takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Francesco Ruocco is on, and Ismale Cajazzo is off.
First half ends with the score at 2-0.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Antonio Palumbo scores, making it 2-0.
Antonio PalumboAntonio Palumbo takes a shot with his left foot and scores.
Offside.
Goal! The score is now 2-0.
Offside.
Ettore GliozziVAR decision: Goal disallowed for offside against Ettore Gliozzi.
Ettore GliozziEttore Gliozzi takes a right-footed shot and scores.
Goal! Ettore Gliozzi scores, making it 1-1.
Nahuel Estevez takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Ettore Gliozzi takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Rareș IlieYellow CardYellow card issued to Rares Ilie.
Corner awarded.
Lorenzo Ignacchiti takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Offside.
Tommaso Del Lungo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Tommaso Del Lungo takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Gabriel Strefezza takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Antonio Palumbo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Dominic Vavassori takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Rachid Kouda replaces Simone Trimboli.
Corner awarded.
Dominic Vavassori's header is saved.
Gabriel StrefezzaGabriel Strefezza scores with a left-footed shot.
assist: Claudio Gomes
Goal! Gabriel Strefezza scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Claudio Gome.
Federico Chinetti takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Kick-off! The referee is Davide Di Marco.
Palermo welcome an in-form Mantova side to the Barbera in a knockout tie where one bad night ends the run. Both clubs arrive on the back of encouraging results, setting up a genuinely competitive Coppa Italia clash rather than a routine mismatch.
