Paola 2 - 1 Shadows (365996107)

The weather was pretty good, and a crowd of 47425 had shown up at F. C. Paola Arena for the match. Hermès Plantard was the appointed referee with assistance provided by József Kásás and Ari Jensen. A 3-4-3 alignment was the formation of choice for Paola. The following players took the field: Montalvo - Attico, Egaña, Hughes - Puzzarini, Fondi, Bolzonella, Di Marciola - Aquile, Finazzi, Prelle.

Shadows tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. The following players had been chosen: Barela - Vita, Malpezzi, Di Silvestro - Di Carlofelice, Fregni, Cinghialo, Meola, Cento - Šijan, Casale.

Down the middle came S. Casale, making a fantastic play that nearly had Shadows take the lead after 12 minutes, but J. Montalvo preserved the tie. Paola took the lead 30 minutes into the game by 1 - 0, as M. Prelle elegantly received a long range pass through the middle, finishing off with a half-volley shot just below the bar. A great save by keeper F. Barela after 36 minutes kept the visitors in the game after M. Prelle struck from the left with a real cannonball. R. Vita of Shadows seemed to be floating in the air as he elegantly headed in to make the score 1 - 1 after a corner kick that was nicely executed by C. Cinghialo. At 38 minutes played, C. Fondi came in from the right with the intention of giving Paola the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. 1 - 1 was the halftime score. Paola had most of the ball, with 60 percent of possession.

It was showtime for artist F. Finazzi who showed off his technical mastery when he rounded R. Vita and finished with a goal to make the score 2 - 1. The Shadows coach was desperate to reverse his team's fortunes in the game, and ordered his team to change strategy. Unhappy with the result so far in the game, the Shadows manager used a brief break in play after 77 minutes to give the players new directives. Content with how the game was proceeding, the Paola coach let D. Bussink replace L. Hughes after 80 minutes. As the game started to slip away for Shadows, the manager decided to change the tactical approach. Paola enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 61 percent of possession.

Paola's top performer was clearly F. Finazzi. U. Di Marciola was a disappointment, however. A. Šijan performed admirably for Shadows. However, F. Di Carlofelice made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 1.