Ferdinand II had managed to drive French general Gilbert, Count of Montpensier back to his base in Atella, exciting the Neapolitan troops by making up a promise of German reinforcements sent by Maximilian I.

The Castilian considered eminent to secure their Calabrian rear guard before attempting a final attack on the French base, but he accepted to rendezvous with Ferdinand.

He marched through land, but the renown gained with his success in guerrilla warfare against the French gave him pass led several French-aligned positions to surrender on the way.

When Montpensier found out about his intentions, he guarded the mills with a force of Swiss pikemen and Gascon archers, against which Córdoba issued a mixed body of rodeleros protected by mounted jinetes, clashing on July 1.

[1] The battle was not lengthy, as the French contingent, probably demoralized by their dire strategic situation, withdrew quickly to Atella in various degrees of order.