REGO EMILIA—On a bright Saturday at Mapei Stadium, Reggiana and Catanzaro staged a contest that was equal parts spectacle and statement, each side ultimately settling for a 2-2 draw that left fans craving more and left scouts scribbling feverishly about a new star: Catanzaro’s 19-year-old striker, Cissè. Though the hosts extended their unbeaten run, the real headline is the arrival of a prodigy who may soon redefine the league’s pecking order.

First Half: Injury and Early Drama

Reggiana began with purpose, pressing high and carving out two promising chances through Rover and Tavsan, both denied by Catanzaro’s vigilant keeper Pigliacelli. But the early narrative was disrupted by a moment of concern when Reggiana captain Rozzio, a defensive mainstay, limped off with a left calf injury—a development that casts a shadow over the Granata’s campaign and could test their defensive depth in the coming weeks.

Catanzaro, sensing an opening, grew into the match. Oudin grazed the post before Motta’s crucial block kept Favasuli from converting a close-range chance. The breakthrough arrived in the 30th minute: Cissè, on loan from Verona, rose at the near post to nod home a corner—his header deflected past Motta, giving the visitors a deserved lead.

Yet Reggiana responded with characteristic grit. Six minutes later, Marras unleashed a curling shot from distance that found the net, VAR confirming the equalizer after a tense review for offside. The stadium exhaled; the game was level, and the energy began to crackle in anticipation of more.

Second Half: Lambourde’s Moment, Cissè’s Masterclass

The second half saw Catanzaro’s Portanova nearly restore the lead, only for Nuamah’s last-ditch challenge to preserve parity. Then came Reggiana’s moment of joy and controversy: Bozzolan whipped in a cross, and Lambourde—newly arrived and eager to impress—connected with a sublime left-footed volley into the corner. Initially disallowed for offside, VAR intervened again, this time to validate Lambourde’s first goal in Granata colors. The roar from the home end was equal parts celebration and relief.

But if Lambourde’s strike was about technical prowess, Cissè’s second was pure artistry. Awarded a free kick more than 25 meters out, the teenager dispatched a curling, unstoppable shot into the top corner—a goal worthy of any highlight reel, and one that will surely accelerate his ascent into the Serie B spotlight. The game was knotted at 2-2, and the final minutes produced still more drama.

Novakovich, Reggiana’s forward, squandered two golden opportunities: first missing a tap-in after Pigliacelli’s save on Lambourde, then heading over from close range. These were moments that could have delivered all three points; instead, they underscored how slim the margins remain in the league’s early going.

Key Performances and Tactical Implications

• Cissè (Catanzaro): Two goals, including a free-kick masterpiece, and a constant threat—his blend of athleticism and technique belies his age, and he looks destined for a bigger stage soon.
• Rozzio (Reggiana): His injury may have broader implications for Reggiana’s defensive stability, especially as fixtures intensify.
• Lambourde (Reggiana): Scored his debut goal, showing the kind of finishing that will be vital if the Granata hope to maintain momentum.
• Bozzolan (Reggiana): Provided a crucial assist and was a source of energy on the flank.

For Reggiana, five points from four matches marks a solid if unspectacular start, their third consecutive positive result. Catanzaro, meanwhile, remain winless but unbeaten in four, their attack suddenly looking more potent thanks to a teenager who may not be theirs for long.

Broader Implications: The Cissè Effect

Serie B is often a grind, defined by cautious tactics and incremental gains. Yet Saturday’s match hinted at a shift: if Cissè continues his rapid development, Catanzaro—long seen as a mid-table outfit—could find themselves climbing the standings and altering the promotion conversation. For Reggiana, the concern turns inward: Rozzio’s injury exposes a vulnerability, and their inability to capitalize on late chances may haunt them against more clinical opponents.

The match also reinforced a broader truth: Serie B’s future is increasingly shaped by youth, with clubs mining loan markets and academies for the next breakout star. On this evidence, the next one wears Catanzaro yellow, and his name is Cissè.

Up Next

Reggiana travel to Bolzano to face Sudtirol, themselves fresh off a 2-2 draw in Frosinone—a fixture that suddenly feels more challenging given their captain’s uncertain status. Catanzaro will hope Cissè’s star only burns brighter, as their hunt for a first win continues.

The 2-2 draw may have split the points, but it united fans and pundits in anticipation: Serie B’s hierarchy is trembling, and the Cissè era may have just begun.