Initially the French [Massena] defeated the Austrian advanced guard [Provera] and pushed them back on Bassano. In spite of Bonaparte's presence the French could not dislodge the Austrians from an island in the Brenta river nor from the heights on the west bank. After suffering significant losses the French fell back that evening to Vicenza.

A town in northern Italy on the river Brenta about 18miles northeast of Vicenza.

Alvintzy commanding the Austrian's divided his force ordering Davidovich [about 18,000men] down the eastern side of Lake Garda while he [about 28,000 men] advanced onto the northern Italian plain from the east through Treviso.
Bonaparte's troops were scattered over a wide area with Vaubois [10,500 men]watching the north of Lake Garda and Massena [5,200 men] at Bassano. Other units [grand total including Vaubois and Massena, 41,000 men] were besieging Mantua or spread along both banks of the Adige river.
Massena had been ordered to fall back on Verona if attacked but Bonaparte countermanded his order when he realised that the Austrian advanced guard was far from its main body. He hoped to begin defeating Alvintzy in detail.

French Forces

Number engaged :

19,500

Casualties :

3,508 (17.99%)

Coalition Forces [ Austrian ]

Number engaged :

28,000

Casualties :

2,832 (10.11%)