Benevento made a winning start to their pre-season preparations on Friday night, edging Vis Pesaro 2-1 in an entertaining International Club Friendly at the Stadio Tonino Benelli. The Serie C visitors showed sharpness in front of goal, while the hosts will take plenty of positives from a competitive run-out against higher-division opposition.

Match Overview

With kick-off under the lights at 23:30 local time, the friendly offered both sides valuable minutes as they build toward the 2026-27 campaign. Benevento controlled long spells of the first half and took the lead through a well-worked attacking move, only for Vis Pesaro to respond with an equaliser before the interval. The decisive moment arrived after the break, when Benevento restored their advantage and managed the game to secure a 2-1 victory.

Key Moments

• Benevento's opener: A patient build-up ended with a precise finish from inside the box, giving the visitors a deserved lead.
• Vis Pesaro fight back: The home side levelled with a composed strike after capitalising on a defensive lapse, much to the delight of the coaching staff.
• Winning goal: Benevento's second goal came from a quick transition, catching Vis Pesaro out of shape and restoring control.

Tactical Story

Vis Pesaro set up in a compact 3-5-2 shape, looking to flood midfield and break quickly through the wide areas. Benevento, by contrast, relied on their technical superiority in central zones, with their playmakers dictating tempo and creating overloads around the edge of the box. The friendly allowed both coaches to experiment with rotations, and the tempo dipped naturally in the final quarter as numerous substitutions disrupted the flow.

Standout Performers

Benevento's attacking trio caused persistent problems with their movement and link-up play, while Vis Pesaro's goalkeeper made several sharp saves to keep the scoreline respectable. For the hosts, the energetic pressing from midfield was a clear highlight, offering encouragement ahead of their league campaign.

What It Means

As a pre-season friendly, the result carries limited competitive weight, but confidence and fitness were the real winners. Benevento will view the performance as a solid foundation, while Vis Pesaro can take heart from their ability to compete with a club that regularly challenges at the top end of the third tier. Both sides will continue their summer schedules with clearer insight into their tactical plans and squad depth.