CESENA, Italy (Interstat) — In a stunning opening-day upset that defied pregame projections, Cesena delivered a commanding 3-1 victory over favored Catanzaro in a Serie B match Saturday at Orogel Stadium - Dino Manuzzi.

The match, played March 21, 2026, saw the home side overcome significant statistical odds. Interstat’s ELO system had given Catanzaro a 60.10 percent probability to win, while its game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw. Cesena’s comprehensive performance rendered those forecasts irrelevant.

Catanzaro, the visiting side, entered the match with apparent momentum but found themselves chasing the game from the first half. The deadlock was broken in the 34th minute by Cesena substitute Mattia Liberali, who made an immediate impact after entering the match. His early goal set the tone for the home side’s assertive play.

Cesena doubled its lead just before the hour mark in the 59th minute. Forward Alberto Cerri, who would prove to be the match’s dominant figure, netted his first goal of the afternoon, capitalizing on service from defender Tommaso Corazza.

The home side’s defense then contributed to the attack, as defender Matteo Piacentini found the net in the 72nd minute to extend the lead to 3-0. The assist on that goal was credited to Cerri, completing his influential goal-and-assist performance.

Catanzaro managed a late consolation goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, with Tommaso Berti scoring in the 90+4 minute to avoid a shutout. However, any faint hope of a dramatic comeback was extinguished by discipline issues.

The match grew increasingly fractious in the final twenty minutes, with five yellow cards issued. The most significant disciplinary action came in the 87th minute when Catanzaro’s Patrick Nuamah was shown a straight red card, forcing his side to finish the match with ten men.

The victory gives Cesena a perfect start to its Serie B campaign, while Catanzaro must regroup after a defeat where it was heavily favored. Both teams’ records in the competition now stand at one match played. The key performances, led by Cerri’s goal and assist, Liberali’s impactful substitute appearance, and Piacentini’s goal from defense, provided the foundation for Cesena’s decisive and unexpected three points.