Pescara Own the Derby: Foggia Beaten Again

Who owns this derby? For now, Delfino Pescara do—and they proved it again on Sunday, leaving Calcio Foggia 1920 with a 1-0 defeat and another bitter afternoon in a rivalry that needs no introduction.

Manuel Pioppi scored in the 22nd minute, the only goal of an Italian Serie B contest that Pescara controlled for long stretches but never quite put beyond doubt. Foggia pushed and made the finish uncomfortable; Pescara, having built a 68 per cent share of possession and taken 19 shots, had enough chances to spare themselves the late tension. They did not. They did, however, leave with the result that matters in a derby.

Pioppi’s goal gave shape to the contest, and he kept asking questions, finishing with ten attempts. Matteo Giglio supplied the assist and was involved in Pescara’s threat, while Gracjan Sobolewski stood firm when Foggia tested him. Pescara also hit the woodwork twice, a reminder that this was not the tidy, comfortable victory the scoreline might suggest.

Foggia had their moments, with nine shots and two on target, but too often the visitors’ pressure forced them to chase the game on Pescara’s terms. The hosts reshaped their attack late, making three changes in the 77th minute, and Raffaele Magliulo then went off injured in the 80th. It was a cruel interruption to Foggia’s attempt to find a way back, though no excuse can erase the broader point: the home side had to fight for possession and still could not find an equaliser.

The recent history is plain enough. Pescara won 2-1 on 2 December, drew 1-1 on 12 April last year, and also won 2-0 at Foggia on 16 April 2062. The only meeting in that sequence Pescara did not win was the 2-2 draw at Foggia on 7 November 2062. Sunday’s result makes two victories in the last four meetings, with Pescara winning the last two.

There were old loyalties on both sides of the divide: Sergio Corsetti had spent years at Pescara before lining up for Foggia, while Yemaro van Kammen had played for Foggia before joining the visitors. But derby sentiment is a poor shield when the other side takes the points. Pescara have the bragging rights again; Foggia are left to answer the question that every rival will ask: when will they make this fixture theirs?