The waiting is over: on Sunday, May 19, at 7:00 PM, Ravenna FC will take the field at Bruno Benelli to face Pistoiese in the Serie D Group D playoff semifinal. This is a clash between two of the most prestigious clubs in the division, competing for a spot in the final in a one-off match with a special significance.

Thanks to their higher league standing, the Giallorossi will enjoy home-field advantage and the possibility of advancing even in the event of a draw after 120 minutes. A detail far from negligible in a matchup that promises to be balanced and full of tension.

Ravenna arrives at this fixture after two harmless defeats in the final days of the regular season, but with the determination to turn the page immediately and return to the solidity and brilliance that have characterized the entire season. Coach Marchionni will be without Venturini, Lo Bosco, and Nappello, but he can rely on a motivated, united, and determined squad ready to play all their cards to secure a place in the final. The goal is clear: to win these playoffs and keep alive the hope of a Serie C repechage, a realistic prospect given the exceptional points average this season and the victory in the division’s Coppa Italia.

They will face a Pistoiese side that struggled in the final part of the season but remains a formidable and talented team. The Tuscan side will be without two key players, Maldonado and Mazzei, both suspended, but they welcome back former Giallorossi player Polvani, ready to lead the defensive line.

A night of great football is expected at Benelli, with a crowd ready for a special occasion. Advance ticket sales have already surpassed 1,100, and the box office will open at 5:30 PM for those wishing to join the event at the last minute.

Everything is ready for a match to be lived down to the last second. Ravenna is determined to write a new chapter of its season.

We’ve reached the final stages of the season. How would you assess your first experience at Ravenna from a personal perspective?

From a personal standpoint, it has been a positive and educational year. I came from a completely different environment, so integrating quickly and understanding both the internal dynamics of the club and those of the local area was not a given. There was a natural period of adaptation, but over time, also thanks to sharing objectives with the club, we began a structured path. We work on both short-term targets and broader goals, with the aim of building solid foundations to bring Ravenna’s youth sector back to the level it deserves. Ravenna is a city with history, passion, and a deep love for football—it’s an exciting challenge.

What objectives has your work focused on?

We identified two main objectives: strengthening the internal environment and revitalizing the relationship with the local community. Internally, the goal was to structure a staff with an innovative vision and introduce a completely new, coherent, and shared working methodology, creating a consistent technical and developmental thread. We wanted to build a system that could ensure continuity and growth, setting periodic targets. Externally, we focused heavily on dialogue with local clubs. Ravenna has a rich network of amateur teams, and we aimed to establish relationships based on understanding, collaboration, and exchange. This work is allowing us to create an environment conducive not only to sporting growth but also to educational development.

What kind of environment did you find in Ravenna, both in terms of the local area and the club?

Certainly, the geographical position puts us in contact with well-structured and historically solid realities. But from the very beginning, our focus has been on ourselves: on who we are and who we want to become. We cannot—and should not—chase external models; we need to build our own path based on our goals and potential. I found a receptive local area: over these months, I have met many clubs in the region, and there has been great openness to dialogue. The new ownership has given a strong and clear image, but now it is up to us to consolidate it through actions. And that’s exactly what we are doing—building relationships, visiting clubs even outside the province—because we believe growth comes from engagement, sharing, and mutual respect.

What have been the greatest achievements in this first season?

The greatest satisfaction is seeing the boys’ tangible growth. We introduced a new methodological approach, which initially required time to be absorbed, but is now beginning to show concrete results. The environment is more professional, and the players are more aware, motivated, and engaged. Numerous call-ups to provincial and regional representative teams, as well as the participation of some players in the Torneo delle Regioni in Sicily—such as Magnosi, Venturi, Tesselli, and Cortesi—are signs that we are moving in the right direction. For us, in this first year, which we defined as observational and evaluative, more important than the sporting results—which still hold significant developmental value when achieved through solid principles—is the journey itself: forming players and individuals capable of facing future challenges with maturity and ambition.

What are the critical issues?

The main critical issue concerns the facilities, but this isn’t a problem unique to Ravenna; unfortunately, it’s a widespread deficiency across the Italian landscape. Our available facilities are not yet at the level required to compete with more structured clubs like Cesena, Bologna, or SPAL. To bridge this gap, investing in adequate infrastructure is essential. The ownership has shown great sensitivity toward this issue: they have already invested and will continue to do so with determination. We consult with the directors daily to plan concrete interventions. It is clear that modern facilities are a decisive factor in technical and organizational growth, but I also strongly believe in the work ethic: if you convey seriousness and professionalism, you can create value even in less equipped environments. That said, improving our facilities remains a mandatory step to making a true leap in quality

Today, football is increasingly focusing on early-blooming talents. Do you see anyone among your youth players who could truly break into the first team soon?

Our common goal is to bring as many players as possible from our youth academy into the first team. I prefer to speak about attitude rather than just talent: talent is only one part—certainly an important one—that must be nurtured. However, it takes commitment, a strong training culture, self-awareness, and the desire to improve every single day. Some of our players are already showing these traits and, if they continue on this path, they will achieve great things. The objective is to have a youth sector that works in vertical continuity with the first team, and we are investing heavily in this.

Looking ahead, what are the pillars you will be working on for the next season?

There will be two core focus areas: facilities and training/development. Regarding the first aspect, as mentioned, the club is already working on planning concrete interventions. On the internal development front, we want to expand our staff and provide the players with continuous expertise. This year, we have already organized training sessions involving various departments: these were valuable meetings that we intend to scale up. The more the quality of the environment grows, the more the value of the players’ development pathway increases

How does the Giallorossi youth sector address the sense of belonging?

The sense of belonging and the attachment to the shirt have grown alongside the professionalism we have brought into the youth sector. We see this in many areas: a large number of our kids attend Ravenna’s home matches, they accompany the players onto the pitch, and they wear the club kit with pride. There is a wonderful, engaging atmosphere where the desire to be part of something is felt deeply.
Even those coming from outside the city feel highly motivated to wear the Ravenna shirt. To me, this is the clearest sign that we are building a strong identity based on values, transparency, and vision.

The final act of the Serie D championship sees Ravenna FC heading away to face Progresso. While the match will have no impact on the final standings, it offers interesting insights ahead of the playoffs. The Giallorossi, already certain of their second-place finish, enter this final round aiming to keep concentration high and provide an opportunity for those who have seen less playing time so far.
The one-week delay to the start of the promotion playoffs—pending the outcome of Zenith Prato’s appeal—allows the coaching staff to manage this phase calmly. With this in mind, Coach Marchionni is expected to implement heavy squad rotation to avoid unnecessary risks related to injuries or suspensions. Players currently on a yellow card warning (diffidati)—Biagi, Rrapaj, Esposito, and Onofri—as well as those who have accumulated the most minutes throughout the season, are likely to be rested.
This will be an excellent opportunity to see some of the squad players in action, as they look to impress and prove they can be vital assets during the playoffs. It is a precious chance to gain confidence and match fitness while keeping the team sharp and mentally focused.
On the other side, Progresso enters the fixture with the serenity of a team that secured safety with a game to spare. This suggests an open game, free from pressure and potentially spectacular, with both sides ready to honor the commitment with a proactive spirit.
For Ravenna, this is the final stop before the decisive phase of the season. Even in a match that, on paper, carries no stakes, the goal remains to maintain high standards, fuel the group’s competitive spirit, and give another moment of satisfaction to the Giallorossi fans traveling to support the team.

Last week, in an atmosphere of great enthusiasm, a Ravenna FC delegation led by Vice President Ariedo Braida visited the Filippo Mordani Primary School in Ravenna. Also attending the meeting were General Manager Paolo Scocco, Sporting Director Davide Mandorlini, and Head of External Relations Lorenzo Tonetti.

The initiative marked the conclusion of an educational project in which the school’s pupils participated in various activities related to football and its values. This journey culminated in their attendance at the stadium for the Coppa Italia semi-final match between Ravenna and Lavagnese.

During the meeting, the pupils welcomed the guests with great curiosity and engagement, asking questions, participating with enthusiasm, and sharing moments of joy and reflection. This was a clear sign of how deeply the club’s message was received and appreciated by the younger children.

The event took place alongside the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Liberation. In a particularly moving moment, the school choir—directed with great sensitivity by teacher Catia Gori—performed the Inno di Mameli (the Italian National Anthem) in the presence of the school principal and the teaching staff, highlighting the importance of historical memory and shared identity

Ariedo Braida, Vice President of Ravenna FC, shared his testimony of a life dedicated to football at the highest levels. His illustrious career saw him play a leading role in world-class clubs such as AC Milan and FC Barcelona, and he was recently inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.

Ravenna FC, consistently dedicated to the local community and its youth, thus renews its commitment to promoting positive values, both on and off the pitch

Following Forlì’s mathematical title win, Ravenna FC returns to the Benelli Stadium with a firm resolve to continue their journey with determination. Tomorrow afternoon, the Giallorossi host Lentigione in a clash that represents much more than a mere stepping stone toward the post-season.
Marchionni’s side, already guaranteed a playoff spot with home-field advantage, aims to conclude the league campaign by keeping concentration levels high. Continuing to rack up points is essential—not only to reach the post-season in peak condition but also to consolidate one of the highest points-per-game averages in the club’s recent history, a factor that could prove decisive regarding potential promotion via vacancy (ripescaggio).
Standing in their way is a solid and well-organized Lentigione side led by Stefano Cassani, currently sitting third in the standings. The visitors still have plenty to play for: with minimal gaps between them, Tau, and Pistoiese, the battle for a favorable position in the playoff grid is wide open.
For tomorrow’s match, Marco Marchionni will have the full squad at his disposal, with the exception of Venturini (serving a one-match ban) and the sidelined Lo Bosco and Nappello. This presents a further opportunity to give playing time to those who have worked consistently throughout the season, maintaining the overall quality of the roster.
Under the watchful eye of the Benelli crowd, Ravenna seeks to keep building confidence, enthusiasm, and cohesion—vital ingredients as they prepare to face the decisive phase of the season.

With three matches remaining and a guaranteed top-table finish for the regular season, Ravenna FC is preparing for an away clash against Cittadella Vis Modena. It will be anything but simple: they face an experienced side boasting several standout players for this division.

The Emilian side can rely on high-caliber players such as Osuji, Sala, Formato, and Sabotic, as well as two former Giallorossi players well-known to the Ravenna fans: Boccaccini and Guidone. Both left a positive impression during their time at the Benelli and will certainly be highly motivated for this clash. Adding to the local connections, the man leading the Emilian team is Ravenna native Mattia Gori.

Within the Ravenna camp, the mood is that of a team determined to honor every commitment until the very last minute. The convincing victory against Fiorenzuola confirmed the squad’s strong form and their desire to enter the post-season in the best possible shape. Although the Giallorossi are aware that the gap from leaders Forlì leaves little hope for first place, they are intent on finishing the season on a high note, maintaining their rhythm, focus, and competitive spirit.

For tomorrow’s match, coach Marchionni will have the full squad at his disposal, with the exception of Lo Bosco, who remains sidelined, and Rossetti, who has returned to training but is unlikely to be risked

Ravenna is already guaranteed to host their first playoff match at the Benelli Stadium and aims to be fully prepared. These final three rounds serve as a crucial proving ground to further measure the team’s consistency and mental toughness. It is a test to be faced with seriousness and resolve, confirming their solidity as they gear up for the final stages of the season.