Ravenna FC is preparing to face its first home match of 2025, hosting Sammaurese at the Benelli in a clash between two teams with very different objectives.

The giallorossi, fresh from a clear and unquestioned away win against Prato, arrive at this match in high spirits. After overcoming some flu-related issues earlier in the week, the team is almost at full strength, with only long-term absentees Nappello and Drapelli sidelined. There’s also curiosity surrounding the new signing Carlo Ilari, a key addition in the Ravenna’s winter transfer market who is immediately vying for a starting spot to show his worth to his new fans.

Their opponents will be a Sammaurese side determined to collect points and move away from the lower regions of the standings. The San Mauro Pascoli team has recently changed its coach, bringing back Stefano Protti, under whom they enjoyed great results in the past. The club has also strengthened its squad during the winter transfer window, adding experienced players like Merlonghi, Ferrani, and Forte. Daniele Forte, in particular, is a notable ex-player with a significant past: he helped Ravenna win Serie D in the 2016/2017 season, contributing with 11 goals.

Ravenna, buoyed by a ranking that sees them just one point from the top, wants to maintain the stellar performance shown under the guidance of Marchionni. In the league, in fact, the yellow-reds have only dropped points to Tau, the then-leader, in a goalless draw. Otherwise, the team has only collected victories in the 11 matches played, a record that confirms the excellent work of the coach and the team.

On the Benelli field, freshly maintained to address long-standing drainage issues, Marchionni’s yellow and red team wants to make the best start to their 2025 home season and deliver a performance that will excite the yellow and red fans. The appointment is set for 2:30 PM.

Ravenna FC 1913 is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Lecco for the temporary transfer of player Carlo Ilari, who will wear the yellow-and-red shirt until the end of the season.

Carlo Ilari was born in Ascoli Piceno in 1992 and grew up in the Juventus youth system. He made his Serie B debut with Ascoli at just 18 years old, marking the start of a long career in professional football. His outstanding sporting resume includes stints with Teramo, Catanzaro, Sambenedettese, and Lecco, with whom he achieved promotion to Serie B just two seasons ago.

The yellow-and-red player will take part in his first training session under coach Marco Marchionni this afternoon and is ready to bring a wealth of experience to the team, with 420 appearances in professional football and 55 goals scored in his career

A warm good luck to Carlo Ilari, welcome to the yellow-and-red.

Ravenna FC starts the new year with a standout performance, beating Prato 3-0 at the Lungobisenzio. The giallorossi dominated the game against a tough opponent, proving superior in every area, as acknowledged by Prato’s coach in the post-match.

The first half saw Ravenna immediately take control of the game, deservedly scoring twice. On the first goal, following a corner from the right, Guida outjumped his man and delivered a cross that Venturini, completely unmarked, headed in for his first goal of the season. For the second goal, after a well-executed first-touch play down the right wing, Lordkipanidze crossed for Manuzzi’s run, who beat everyone to the ball and reaffirmed his position as the team’s top scorer with 8 goals. Marco Marchionni’s side dominated possession and created numerous chances, showcasing an organization and fluidity in their play that troubled the home team.

In the second half, Ravenna continued to push forward and sealed the game with a goal from Guida, who was the best player on the field. The giallorosso midfielder enhanced a superb performance by orchestrating all of the team’s offensive plays with intelligence and quality. Shortly after, substitute Di Renzo came close to scoring a fourth with a shot just over the crossbar.

Among the key figures of the day, the giallorossi supporters stood out as well. A total of 250 fans followed the team on the road, cheering for the players throughout the full 90 minutes and returning home satisfied with what they saw on the field. This sense of unity between the team and the fans represents another strength of Ravenna, growing ever more cohesive both on the pitch and in the stands.

With this victory, Ravenna FC continues its pursuit of the league leaders Forlì, keeping the pressure high at the top of the standings. Next Sunday, the giallorossi will return to the Benelli for their first home game of 2025 against Sammaurese, a team fighting for survival. It will be another opportunity to demonstrate the strength of a team in great form and to deliver more emotions to their supporters.

The league resumes for Ravenna FC, which will be engaged in a match against Prato on Sunday, January 5th, at 14:30 at the “Lungobisenzio” stadium. A game that pits two teams in excellent form, ready to battle and start the new year in the best possible way.

Prato, coached by Marco Mariotti, who replaced Maurizio Ridolfi, presents itself as a formidable opponent, especially at home. The Tuscan team remains unbeaten at home since Mariotti took over the coaching role and boasts a very solid defense, having conceded no goals in the last five matches. With experienced players like Remedi, Conson, and Barbuti, Prato remains one of the teams to be cautious of and does not reflect its current position in the standings, where it sits in eighth place.
Ravenna FC, coming off an important victory over Progresso that closed the calendar year, will have several key players returning. Lo Bosco and Rrapaj are back in the squad, while Rossetti and Milan, both previously suspended, will also be available to coach Marchionni. Good news for Mereghetti, who has returned to training with the team and is aiming to regain his best form, while Mauthe and Nappello remain sidelined.

After the great comeback in the standings, which began with Marco Marchionni’s arrival as head coach, Ravenna FC now finds itself just one point behind the league leaders, Forlì. An exciting chase that renews the distance rivalry with the Galletti, making every match crucial to keep the pressure on the top spot.

The match will be accompanied by a great atmosphere of support. The yellow and red fans are particularly invested in this game, given the rivalry with the Prato supporters, and are expected to fill the away section of the Lungobisenzio stadium, showing their strong attachment to the team. A crucial boost for Marchionni’s players, who will be called to give their best in this much-anticipated clash.

Ravenna approached the match with the intent to impose their style of play, despite the challenging pitch conditions hindering the technical abilities of the giallorossi. The first major chance came in the 18th minute: D’Orsi set up Manuzzi, whose diving header forced a miraculous save from Cheli, with the ball hitting the post. Just three minutes later, Venturini coordinated with Biagi and narrowly missed the goal with a curling shot that went just wide.
The first half ended without any further significant actions, with Progresso well-organized defensively and Ravenna holding control but struggling to find space.
In the second half, Ravenna regained control, attacking on the more favorable half of the field. In the 12th minute, the decisive goal arrived: Manuzzi found Biagi’s well-timed run, and he finished with precision. Marchionni’s men continued to push for a second goal, leaving Progresso with only a few timid set-piece attempts, which were easily handled by the giallorossi defense.
In the 75th minute, Guida broke away on a counter-attack and provided a golden assist to Lordkipanidze, but the latter failed to finish. Shortly after, Guida himself struck the post with a diagonal shot that would have sealed the match. In the final moments, Fresia made a brilliant save from a header by Progresso, preserving the lead and preventing an undeserved equalizer.
With this victory, Ravenna closed the first half of the season with 38 points, consolidating their second-place position and narrowing the gap to just one point behind leaders Forlì.

Tomorrow afternoon, Ravenna FC will take the field at the “Benelli” to face Progresso in the last match of the first half of the season.

A delicate challenge for the giallorossi, who are forced to deal with numerous absences: Milan and Rossetti are suspended, while Nappello, Mereghetti, Mauthe, and Drappelli are unavailable due to injury. Rrapaj’s condition is yet to be assessed. Coach Marchionni’s team will need to rely on a high-level collective performance to continue their positive run and finish the first half of the season in the best possible way.

The opponent, Progresso, is a team coached by Davide Marchini that is currently enjoying a good run of form. Starting with the goal of securing survival, the Bologna-based side is currently out of the relegation zone, thanks to a solid defense that compensates for some difficulties in front of goal. Among the players to watch are two former Ravenna youth products: striker Maltoni, who has scored three goals in the league, and defender Stellacci, both ready to shine against their ex team.

The match will also have a special meaning from a solidarity perspective. Ravenna FC will wear the Santa Claus Special Edition Kit, a Christmas-themed jersey designed to raise funds for communities affected by the floods in Romagna. The jerseys will be auctioned off at the end of the match, with the proceeds fully dedicated to this cause. Additionally, the club has launched an initiative for families: a parent and child who come to the stadium wearing a Santa hat will pay only 1 euro each for their ticket, offering a chance to share the excitement of the game together.

The kick-off is scheduled for 14:30. Coach Marchionni’s team will aim to deliver another high-level performance, maintaining focus and closing the first half of the season with a win.