It's real in Vidmo, and there's a Slovenian duo at work.

The Italian football season officially kicked off with the Coppa Italia, as Udinese advanced past their opening-round match against Pordenone with a narrow 1:0 victory. The game took place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 17:00 local time. This marked the beginning of the competition's first round, which saw several clubs competing for progression to the next stage. In the first round of the Coppa Italia, multiple matches were played across Italy. On Friday, August 14, Parma defeated Catenanuova 2:0, with young Slovenian goalkeeper Dominik Drobnič, aged 19, making his debut in the starting XI. Similarly, reserve goalkeeper Aljaž Strajnar of Monza was called up for the match against Avellino, though he did not see action. The match ended 3:0 in favor of Monza, with coach Ivan Jurić choosing not to give the 18-year-old Slovenian player a chance to play. On the same day, Fiorentina secured a convincing 4:1 win over Benevento, signaling optimism for the upcoming season. Coach Paulo Fonseca hinted that the 2026/27 campaign could be significantly more successful than the previous one, during which the club struggled to maintain their position in Serie A. Other notable fixtures included matches involving Slovenian players. On Sunday, August 16, Udinese will host Pordenone, featuring Slovenian forward David Pejičić, who previously gained experience playing for Maribor. Meanwhile, on Monday, August 17, Zoran Majer, a Slovenian international, will take on the challenge of facing Lazio at the Olympic Stadium. Lazio, under new manager Gennaro Gattuso, will be looking to make an immediate impact this season. Another key fixture involves Slovenian international Tjaš Begić, who will represent Sampdoria in a match against Cremonese on Monday, August 17. These games highlight the growing presence of Slovenian talent within Italian football, with several players set to contribute to their respective teams in the early stages of the season. The Coppa Italia has traditionally been a platform for emerging talents, and this year’s initial rounds have already showcased some promising performances. Udinese’s 1:0 victory over Pordenone demonstrates the competitive nature of the tournament, with tight matches often deciding the outcome. As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how these players perform under pressure. Looking ahead, the top eight Italian clubs, including Juventus, the reigning Coppa Italia champions, and Serie A leaders Inter, are expected to join the competition in the quarterfinals. This means the tournament will continue to attract attention throughout the season, offering a mix of established stars and rising talents alike. With the first round complete, the focus shifts to the next phase, where the stakes will only rise further.