Cazzupizzu 2 - 4 Supermanu (369176737)

It was an exceptionally sunny day for the crowd of 30659 that came out to Arena Circo Massimo. Klas Kjærulff was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Paul Abelsson and Timothy Eggink. Cazzupizzu had chosen a strategic 5-3-2 formation. They fielded: Tóth - Novović, Papp, Byers, Chelidze, Szeiler - Severin, van Anraat, Bacà - Furnică, Russett.

A 2-5-3 alignment was the formation of choice for Supermanu. The following players had been chosen: Olaya - Degenhardt, Bruggisser - Das, Keplinger, Capol, Quennoz, Brasser - Maar, Landreau, Grant.

It was an obvious ambition of Cazzupizzu to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. Supermanu had several good opportunities to take the lead, especially 19 minutes in when A. Grant came up alone against M. Tóth who managed a block. The guests took the lead 30 minutes into the match, after a right-side attack resulted in R. Quennoz scoring to make it 0 - 1. After 32 minutes, Supermanu's B. Landreau burst through the central defence and let loose a cannonball of a shot, scoring for 0 - 2. 39 minutes into the match, H. Capol came through the middle and almost added to his team's lead, but the shot went wide. C. Szeiler was the first to reach the corner kick, but his header was blocked by the keeper. However, Cazzupizzu's S. Bacà managed to get hold of the rebound and tucked the ball into the empty net. 1 - 2 Halftime score was 1 - 2. Supermanu enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 65 percent of possession.

Although the whole team were struggling to impress, Cazzupizzu's V. Novović was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 46 minutes. V. Jelnikar was given a chance to change things around. The bench was restless, and with 50 minutes passed Cazzupizzu's coach gave R. Calixto the opportunity the player had been hoping for. M. van Anraat reluctantly left the field. Cazzupizzu's M. Severin put his head to a high ball coming in from the right after 52 minutes, but the ball went wide. B. Landreau enjoyed the sunshine and demonstrated his stunning technique over and over again. S. Brasser found it hard to catch his breath today in the stifling heat. Cazzupizzu were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. The crowd was on its feet 67 minutes into the match, as Cazzupizzu's C. Szeiler found himself unmarked in front of the goal after a dash up the left side. He calmly put away the 2 - 2 equaliser. 74 minutes into the match Supermanu's W. Das head butted an opponent nastily, and so the referee sent him off immediately. After 78 minutes, Supermanu's H. Capol made his way through the middle and nonchalantly placed the ball out of the keeper's reach, putting the visitors up 2 - 3. The referee showed Supermanu's C. Bruggisser the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. 84 minutes into the match, the visitors put themselves ahead 2 - 4 as S. Brasser finished off an attack from the left with a spectacular scissors kick. With 85 minutes played, S. Bacà was very close to reducing the score for Cazzupizzu with a low drive from the left, but a defender stuck his foot out just in the nick of time, blocking the shot to a corner. The heat made it a terrible day for D. Chelidze, who seemed unable to keep up with the other players. Possession in this half belonged to Supermanu, who controlled the ball 58 percent of the time.

Cazzupizzu's top performer was clearly M. Tóth. On the other hand, F. Byers's play was disheartening. B. Landreau performed admirably for Supermanu. M. Degenhardt turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 2 - 4.