S.S. Teramo Calcio and Notaresco Calcio 1924 played out a breathless 2-2 draw in the Italian Serie D Cup on August 31, 2026, leaving the tie perfectly poised ahead of the second leg. In a match defined by momentum swings, both defensive errors and individual moments of brilliance kept the crowd at the Stadio Gaetano Bonolis thoroughly entertained until the final whistle.

Match Overview

As cup encounters often do, this one started with a cautious opening phase. Teramo, the higher-ranked side on paper, controlled possession in the early exchanges but struggled to break down a disciplined Notaresco block. The visitors, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the break and were rewarded in the 28th minute when a swift counter-attack ended with a composed finish across the goalkeeper.

Teramo’s response was immediate. Two minutes later, a long ball into the box caused chaos in the Notaresco defence, and the home side poked home from close range to level the scores. The momentum belonged to Teramo after that, and they took the lead just after the hour mark with a curling effort from the edge of the area. But Notaresco showed great character to rescue a draw, converting a penalty in the 78th minute after a clumsy challenge in the box.

Key Moments

• Against the run of play: Notaresco opened the scoring with a clinical counter-attack following a Teramo corner.
• Immediate equalizer: Teramo levelled within two minutes, exposing Notaresco’s vulnerability to long balls.
• Teramo turn it around: A moment of individual quality from the left channel gave the home side their first lead of the night.
• Late penalty: Notaresco’s striker kept his nerve from 12 yards to secure a draw and a valuable away-goal-like advantage.

Tactical Story

Teramo dominated the ball but often found themselves frustrated by Notaresco’s deep defensive block. Their equalizer came from a direct, physical approach, while their second goal was born from patience and movement in crowded spaces. Notaresco were happy to sit, absorb pressure, and rely on set-pieces and transitions. It was a textbook away performance, and their ability to remain compact after the equalizer was key to salvaging a result.

Standout Players

Teramo’s No. 10 stood out for his vision and ability to find pockets of space, while their centre-forward caused constant problems with aerial duels. For Notaresco, the goalkeeper made at least three excellent saves, and the striker who scored both goals displayed the kind of instinct that makes him the focal point of this team’s attack.

Impact on the Tie

With the aggregate score level at 2-2, the second leg promises to be another tense affair. Notaresco will fancy their chances on home soil, where their compact style could prove even more effective, while Teramo will rue the defensive lapses that cost them a victory. Cup football rarely produces a more evenly matched tie than this.