Tre Penne proud and disciplined, Valmiera’s superior sharpness makes the difference

Tre Penne bow out with heads held high from a tough encounter with Valmiera in the Second Qualifying Round of the 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League. The pride that Stefano Ceci had promised on the eve of the match was fully on display from the San Marino champions. After an opening half of great quality and concentration, the Biancazzurri were punished by a single lapse and a moment of brilliance from Mena – the standout performer on the night. Up to that point, the visitors’ pressure had not forced Migani into action: his only save while the match was still goalless came on 29 minutes, when Tonisevs had in any case headed the ball from an off-side position. Excellent displays from Vandi and Lombardi, who shone within Tre Penne’s clearly defence-minded game plan. On the rare attacking forays, Giovagnoli saw a promising long-range left-footer blocked, while Pieri’s driven cross-shot drew a sharp save from Olses, tipping behind for a corner. More clinical and, above all, much fresher, the Latvian champions Valmiera are already two-thirds of the way through their domestic season, whereas San Marino’s campaign will not kick off for over a month. Just after the half-hour mark, Barretta lost his footing and the ball in the attacking third; Mena did the rest with a slalom past three opponents before unleashing a powerful, pinpoint right-footed strike inside the near post, leaving Migani with no chance. In the remainder of the first half, both Jaunzems for Valmiera and Ceccaroli for Tre Penne were let down by their finishing. At the restart Ceci sent on Ricciotti for Giovagnoli, but it was the Latvians who flew out of the traps. Barely 100 seconds had elapsed when Ndoye shook off Barretta’s marking to attack the near post and thump a header into the far corner, beating Migani for the second time. Facing such a difficult start to the second half, Tre Penne did well to avoid being overwhelmed, also thanks to Migani’s reflexes – outstanding on 53 minutes to deny Tonisevs. The visitors’ third unfortunately arrived just twenty seconds later, as the move continued and Kairmani won a challenge on the corner of the box before cutting the ball back for Mena – who coolly found the far corner with his left foot after a clever dummy from Tonisevs. In the closing stages Tre Penne regrouped, surviving a couple of scares from efforts by Silva and Ndoye. On the latter’s seemingly certain headed goal, Barretta did brilliantly to clear close to the goal line. The Italian full-back, on target against Breidablik, tried an acrobatic effort on 70 minutes without troubling Olses. The first leg of this UEFA Europa Conference League Q2 tie ends in a 3-0 away win for Valmiera; the return leg is scheduled for Tuesday 1 August in the Latvian city of the same name, with kick-off at 17:00.  

---

UEFA Europa Conference League, Second Qualifying Round | Tre Penne-Valmiera 0-3   TRE PENNE Migani; Barretta, Rosini, Lombardi, Vandi (from 85' Passeri); Nigretti (from 75' Belkaid), Righini, Giovagnoli (from 46' Ricciotti); Pieri, Badalassi (from 57' Cecchetti), Ceccaroli (from 57' Scoccimarro) Substitutes: Temeroli, Scarponi Head coach: Stefano Ceci   VALMIERA Olses; Tonisevs (from 75' Pulis), Balodis, Veips, Fall; Jaunzems, Zhelizko, Kairmani (from 85' Ghanem); Silva (from 75' Diagne), Ndoye (from 66' Leo Gaucho), Mena (from 85' Diop) Substitutes: Lauva, Sliede, Cudars, Birka Head coach: Jurgis Kalns   Referee: Milos Boskovic (MNE) Assistant referees: Marjan Paunovic (MNE) and Marko Gojkovic (MNE) Fourth official: Milos Besovic (MNE) Scorers: 33', 53' Mena, 47' Ndoye Booked: Badalassi, Silva, Vandi Notes: 303 spectators.

---