Juventus U23 and Pro Vercelli played out a 1-1 draw in Italian Serie C on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, at the Stadio Giuseppe Moccagatta, in a match that swung on a set-piece equaliser and a handful of decisive goalkeeping moments. Luca Marchetti’s first-half opener for the home side was cancelled out by Matteo Bianchi’s second-half header, leaving both teams with a point that felt useful but not entirely satisfying.

Match overview

Juventus U23 started with the sharper intent, pressing Pro Vercelli high and forcing the visitors into a series of hurried clearances. The young Bianconeri side moved the ball quickly through midfield, with Andrea Ferrero dictating the tempo and Marchetti drifting into dangerous pockets between the Pro Vercelli centre-backs and full-backs. The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half and reflected that control.

Pro Vercelli, however, stayed compact and grew into the contest. The visitors defended in a disciplined mid-block, limited space centrally and increasingly used direct balls towards Samuele Rizzo to relieve pressure. That approach earned them a foothold before half-time and, after the interval, a route back into the game. The equaliser came from a set piece, and from that point the match opened up, with both goalkeepers called into action during an entertaining final 20 minutes.

Key moments

• 9th minute: Pro Vercelli’s Samuele Rizzo stings the palms of Davide Costa with a low drive from the edge of the box.
• 27th minute: Juventus U23 take the lead. Andrea Ferrero threads a pass between the lines and Luca Marchetti finishes low across Lorenzo Vismara.
• 41st minute: Pro Vercelli go close from a free-kick, but the header flashes just wide of the far post.
• 54th minute: Vismara makes an important save at his near post to deny Juventus U23 a second goal.
• 68th minute: Pro Vercelli equalise. Pietro Gatti’s corner finds Matteo Bianchi, whose header loops into the corner.
• 76th minute: Juventus U23 substitute Riccardo Ferrara sees a shot blocked after a quick move down the right.
• 88th minute: Costa saves from Rizzo again, this time with his legs, to keep the score level.
• 90+3 minutes: A late Juventus U23 corner is cleared as Pro Vercelli hold on for a point.

Tactical story

Juventus U23 set up in a flexible 4-3-3 and looked most dangerous when Ferrero dropped deep to receive before turning forward. Their best spells came from quick combinations on the right, where the full-back overlapped and Marchetti pulled into the half-space. The hosts’ pressing also forced Pro Vercelli into several turnovers in promising areas, but they lacked a decisive final pass in the closing stages.

Pro Vercelli’s 4-4-2 shape was designed to stay narrow and deny central access. They conceded territory at times but protected the penalty area well, with Bianchi and his centre-back partner dealing with crosses and second balls. The visitors’ equaliser was a reward for their persistence from set pieces, an area they targeted throughout. Once level, Pro Vercelli managed the game intelligently, slowing the tempo and using substitutions to break up Juventus U23’s rhythm.

Standout performers

Marchetti was the most incisive attacker on the pitch for long periods, and his movement created space for others even after his goal. Ferrero’s passing range gave Juventus U23 their best route forward, while goalkeeper Costa made two important saves in the second half. For Pro Vercelli, Vismara’s handling was secure, Bianchi defended with authority and scored the equaliser, and Gatti’s delivery from set pieces proved the visitors’ most reliable attacking weapon.

What the draw means

The result adds another point to the Serie C standings for both sides and keeps the promotion-playoff conversation alive without allowing either team to pull clear. Juventus U23 will rue their missed chances during the first hour, while Pro Vercelli will take confidence from another resilient away performance. In a division where fine margins often decide the race for the playoffs, a 1-1 draw of this kind can look more valuable at the end of the season than it does on the night.