CESENA, Italy (March 14, 2026) -- In a dramatic, back-and-forth Serie B season opener, Cesena and Frosinone battled to a 2-2 draw Saturday at a rain-slicked Orogel Stadium (Interstat) — Dino Manuzzi.

The match, which defied pregame projections that favored the visiting side, saw both teams surrender leads and featured pivotal contributions from substitutes in a contest that ultimately left both clubs with identical records to start their campaigns.

Frosinone, which entered with a slight statistical edge according to Interstat’s ELO system, controlled much of the early tempo. The visitors’ pressure culminated just before halftime when substitute Niccolò Corrado, who had recently entered the fray, broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. Corrado’s finish sent Frosinone into the break with a deserved 1-0 advantage, validating their 54.30 percent pregame probability to win.

The second half began with increased intensity, reflected in a flurry of yellow cards. Cesena’s Matteo Piacentini was booked in the 51st minute, followed swiftly by teammate Jacopo Gelli in the 52nd. Amidst the growing chippiness, the home side found its equalizer. Defender Tommaso Corazza, pushing forward, leveled the score in the 59th minute, assisted by midfielder Matteo Guidi.

Cesena’s momentum seemed to stall just over ten minutes later, however. Frosinone reclaimed the lead in the 72nd minute through another substitute, Farés Ghedjemis, who finished a chance created by defender Peter Amoran to make it 2-1.

The lead was short-lived. Demonstrating the resilience that would define the afternoon, Cesena responded almost immediately. Just seven minutes after falling behind, Corazza rose to the occasion once more, netting his second goal of the match in the 79th minute. The crucial assist came from fellow defender Piacentini, who atoned for his earlier yellow card with a precise delivery to secure a point for his team.

The final minutes were tense, with Frosinone pressing for a winner and Cesena defending stoutly. The physical nature of the match persisted, resulting in late yellow cards for Frosinone’s Amoran in the 88th minute and Matteo Francesconi in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. The final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils, a result that exceeded Interstat’s game simulator projection of a 1-1 draw by delivering twice the goals.

The outcome leaves both teams with identical records in Serie B and across all competitions: zero wins, zero losses and one draw. The performances of substitutes Corrado and Ghedjemis for Frosinone were vital in building their leads, while Cesena’s reliance on defender Tommaso Corazza for goal production proved decisive in salvaging the result on home turf. The match sets a competitive tone for both clubs as they embark on the long Serie B season.