Balorda 3 - 1 Tergeste (365990152)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 50546 at House of Pain today. Victor Olaru was the appointed referee. Balorda had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Arce - Bonini, Alighini, Pastars - Dominguez, Del Bufalo, Caserta, Devendzhiev, Tenho - Casas, Tomić.

Tergeste tactics involved an interesting 5-3-2 combination. Starters: Frizione - Parodi, Graziano, Granatiero, Romaniello, Mariconda - Salucci, Farnè, De Loreto - Bavastro, Bettio.

It was an obvious ambition of Balorda to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. For their match strategy, Tergeste had decided to use their ability to counter-attack whenever possible. As the 2 minute mark approached, the Balorda coach decided it was time for a substitution. J. Pastars reluctantly made way for S. Bartek on the pitch. The home side put themselves ahead 1 - 0 after 3 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from R. Tenho, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. After 24 minutes, A. Granatiero sent the corner kick right to M. Mariconda who headed it sharply past the keeper. 1 - 1! Balorda took the lead after 25 minutes as a result of P. Caserta's peach of a shot from the right hand side of the box - placed beautifully in the top corner. 2 - 1. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave P. Caserta from Balorda a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 32 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! 33 minutes into the game, Tergeste had difficulty finding their positions and their organisation dropped to poor. Coming in from the right, Tergeste had a good opportunity to convert on a counterattack after 35 minutes, but A. Bettio's attempt to finish was easily stopped. It was 2 - 1 at the break. Balorda claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 78 percent.

A review of the gameplan helped Tergeste get back to a passable organisation when the referee blew his whistle again. Tergeste had a chance to level the score as L. Bavastro suddenly found himself free in the middle of the box with only the keeper to beat, but he misjudged the finish, and only managed to hit the bar. A speedy charge from the left side of the field increased the lead of Balorda to 3 - 1 as C. Casas finished it off competently, firing in from an acute angle. With 84 minutes played, the Tergeste coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. A. Ribaldone came on, C. Romaniello had to leave the fray. As the game started to slip away for Tergeste, the manager decided to change the tactical approach. In an effort to secure the lead, Balorda changed their tactic after 84 minutes. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Balorda, with 66 percent of the ball.

Balorda's top performer was clearly A. Tomić. S. Bartek turned in a dismal performance, however. Most important Tergeste player was A. De Loreto. On the other hand, A. Bettio's play was disheartening. The match ends 3 - 1.