maxima 2 - 2 Soiana (377224552)

790 punters turned up at maxima Arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Zoran Pešterac was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Karol Jarczewski and Christian Matsson. maxima decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Lineup: Enrici - Spensieri, Malevolti, Siena - Davoli, Scali, Di Chio, Sarracino, Baecke - Frisenda, Umile.

A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Soiana. The following players had been chosen: Galletti - Parisi, Bulzomì, Biancolilla - Calì, Chiarello, De maman, Falegnami, Micozzi - Alberati, Corbetta.

Soiana saw most attack opportunities on the wings. With 24 minutes played, G. Sarracino of maxima fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. The terraces were silenced after 37 minutes when Soiana's R. Bulzomì put the guests ahead 0 - 1, following an attack on the right. Soiana increased their lead after 43 minutes when I. Parisi broke through on the right, upping the score to 0 - 2, much to the home crowd's dismay. P. Davoli did everything he could to get one back for his maxima, but keeper P. Galletti denied him with a spectacular block. The teams went for the halftime break at 0 - 2. maxima had most of the ball, with 53 percent of possession.

The bench was restless, and with 46 minutes passed maxima's coach gave A. Berti the opportunity the player had been hoping for. L. Spensieri reluctantly left the field. With 46 minutes played, the maxima coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. A. Spinnato came on, G. Umile had to leave the fray. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, maxima's P. Enrici was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 46 minutes. V. Rutigliano was given a chance to change things around. The referee showed Soiana's S. Calì the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. S. Micozzi of Soiana was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. maxima's P. Frisenda cut towards the middle after 74 minutes, receiving a brilliant pass and slicing through the visiting team's central defence, reducing the lead to 1 - 2. With the scoreboard showing that 76 minutes had been played, Soiana nearly put themselves up another goal after S. Calì came through on the left. Fortunately for the home crowd, the keeper made the save. After 77 minutes of play, G. Sarracino equalised for maxima after an elegant attack from the right. maxima made a bid to take the lead as a ball coming in on the right hand side left G. Malevolti completely alone with keeper P. Galletti, who made a spectacular block. J. Xeque was called on to replace Soiana's S. Micozzi after 81 minutes following a nasty collision. Possession in this half belonged to maxima, who controlled the ball 56 percent of the time.

A. Di Chio performed admirably for maxima. G. Malevolti turned in a dismal performance, however. Most important Soiana player was E. Falegnami. L. Biancolilla on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2 - 2.