La Gumina’s Double Sinks Alcione as Inter U23 Seize Statement Away Win in Serie C Race
On a brisk October evening in Sesto San Giovanni, the Stadio Ernesto Breda buzzed with anticipation—two top-five contenders, Alcione and Inter U23, met with more than three points on the line. Both sides understood what was at stake: for Alcione, a chance to fortify their grip on fourth and keep pace with the leading pack; for Inter U23, an opportunity to leapfrog their rivals and stake a claim as a promotion contender. When the dust settled, it was Antonio La Gumina who made all the difference, his first-half brace firing Inter U23 to a crucial 2-1 victory that could resonate well beyond this chilly night.
The match opened with the measured intensity befitting two of Serie C - Girone A’s most consistent sides. Alcione, comfortably settled in fourth with 17 points from nine matches, entered on the momentum of a resolute 2-0 win at Pergolettese just a week prior. Inter U23, two points and a place behind but with a match in hand, had quietly amassed an impressive unbeaten run that signaled youth, hunger, and tactical discipline. Tonight, that edge would prove decisive.
The early exchanges saw Alcione trying to dictate tempo, their midfield knitting together crisp passes as they probed for gaps in the Inter lines. Yet, for all their possession, it was Inter U23’s ruthlessness on transition that provided the game’s critical turning point. In the 41st minute, La Gumina—already emerging as one of Girone A’s most lethal forwards—latched onto a perfectly weighted through-ball, split two defenders, and finished low past the outstretched Alcione goalkeeper. The stadium fell briefly silent; the home side, stunned, now faced the prospect of chasing a game in which they had rarely looked vulnerable.
If the first blow rattled Alcione, the second threatened to unseat them entirely. Just four minutes later, on the stroke of halftime, La Gumina struck again. This time, a well-worked set piece found him with half a yard of space at the near post—a poacher’s finish, instinctive and clinical. In the blink of an eye, Inter U23 had transformed a finely balanced contest into a commanding two-goal lead, sending the visiting bench into a frenzy as the referee signaled for halftime.
Alcione’s response after the break was urgent, if not always composed. Their attacks gained in directness and desperation as the minutes ticked away, but the Inter back line—organized and resolute—turned back wave after wave. Frustration mounted in the stands. The home side’s five-match run of positive results threatened to unravel.
Still, Alcione kept faith, and in the 82nd minute, the breakthrough arrived. Michele Marconi, whose experience and composure had often been a lifeline for the hosts this season, met a whipped cross at the near post, flicking a header just beyond the reach of the visiting keeper. Suddenly, hope flickered. The final minutes were played at a frantic tempo, Alcione throwing numbers forward in search of an equalizer while Inter U23 clung to their slender margin with dogged determination.
No red cards marred the contest, but the closing stages were not without their drama: tempers flared, tackles sharpened, and both managers prowled their technical areas, animated and vocal. When the final whistle arrived, Inter U23’s bench erupted in relief and celebration—their hard-fought three points secured against a direct rival, a statement of intent as the season’s first act nears its close.
Tonight’s result is a significant recalibration in the standings. Alcione, still on 17 points after nine matches, remain in fourth but see their cushion over Inter U23 reduced to just two points—and crucially, the Nerazzurri now boast a game in hand. With this win, Inter U23 not only tighten the race for a top-four finish, but send a message that their ambitions extend beyond simply being a developmental squad.
For Alcione, this defeat arrests a run of three victories in their last four, and raises questions about whether they can maintain this early-season momentum against opponents engineered for exactly these high-stakes encounters. They will need to regroup quickly, mindful that a congested fixture list leaves little time for self-doubt or tactical recalibration.
Inter U23, on the other hand, can savor both the win and the performance. La Gumina’s brace was a reminder that in contests defined by narrow margins, a clinical striker is the most valuable asset of all. With 15 points from eight matches and momentum now firmly on their side, they can look ahead to their next challenge with confidence—and, perhaps, with the growing belief that promotion dreams are not so far-fetched after all.
The real story tonight is not just the three points, but a shifting of the balance in Serie C’s upper echelons. As both teams turn their gaze forward, Alcione now stare down a stretch that will test their resolve, while Inter U23’s young charges have announced themselves as more than just upstarts—they are contenders, and after tonight, everyone in Girone A knows it.