Ascoli struck twice in the second half to overturn an early Hellas Verona lead and claim a 2-1 away victory at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on August 24, 2026, in a thrilling Serie B encounter. The result gave Ascoli a valuable three points on the road, while Hellas Verona were left to rue a dominant first-half display that failed to produce more than a single goal.
Fast Start for Verona, But Ascoli Stay Patient
Hellas Verona came flying out of the blocks, pressing high and forcing Ascoli into early mistakes. Their pressure paid off in the 19th minute when a well-worked move down the left flank ended with a precise finish from Daniel Silva, who slotted past the Ascoli goalkeeper to give the home side a deserved lead. The Bentegodi crowd roared in approval as Verona continued to create chances, but Ascoli’s defense held firm, limiting the damage to just that one goal before halftime.
Ascoli, who had struggled to find rhythm in the opening 30 minutes, grew into the contest after the break. Coach Valerio Bertotto adjusted the shape, pushing extra bodies into midfield and looking to exploit the space behind Verona’s advanced full-backs. The tactical tweak immediately paid dividends.
Second-Half Resurgence: Ascoli’s Quickfire Double
Within a five-minute spell, Ascoli turned the match on its head. In the 63rd minute, a swift counter-attack caught Verona out of position, and Lorenzo Miccio finished calmly from the edge of the box to make it 1-1. The equalizer injected fresh belief into the visitors, and they didn’t have to wait long for a second.
Just eight minutes later, Miccio turned provider, whipping in a dangerous cross that defender Riccardo Gagliolo met with a powerful header at the back post. The Verona keeper got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out, giving Ascoli a 2-1 lead that they would protect with discipline and composure in the final 20 minutes.
Tactical Battle: Verona’s Domination Fades
Verona dominated possession throughout the match—finishing with nearly 62% of the ball—but their failure to convert early dominance into a two-goal cushion proved costly. Ascoli set up in a compact 4-4-2 defensive block after taking the lead, forcing Verona into wide crosses and hopeful long-range shots. The home side’s attacking trio became increasingly isolated as the match wore on, and Ascoli’s midfield trio of Nicolò Bianchi, Emanuele Gatto, and Miccio took control of the game’s tempo.
Verona pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, with substitute striker Tommaso Ferrari heading just wide from a corner in the 88th minute, but Ascoli held on for a gritty and well-earned road win.
Standout Performers
- Lorenzo Miccio (Ascoli) – Scored the equalizer and assisted the winner. His movement between the lines caused constant problems for Verona’s defense.
- Riccardo Gagliolo (Ascoli) – Delivered the decisive header and was rock solid at the back, winning multiple aerial duels.
- Daniel Silva (Hellas Verona) – Took his goal extremely well in the first half and remained a lively presence even as his team faded.
Early-Season Implications in Serie B
The victory sees Ascoli move onto three points from their opening fixtures, giving them early momentum as they look to establish themselves in the mid-table picture of Serie B. For Hellas Verona, the defeat is a frustrating setback, especially after such a bright opening period. Having set their sights high for the season, they will need to convert promising starts into points if they are to challenge at the top of the standings.
With Ascoli showing resilience and Verona displaying attacking intent, both sides will take positives but also clear lessons from a match that produced drama, quality goals, and a memorable comeback for the visitors.

