Milano 1 - 2 Luigira (380297333)

Clouds darkened the skies at The Dome as 21476 spectators turned up for the match. Ulf Mårtensson was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Rainer Schilcher and Arys Liugas. Milano decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Lineup: Maran - Argenziano, Fondi, Machado - Chutny, Faber, Bellico, Kelemer, Tonon - Unkel, Alkmim.

Luigira tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. They fielded: Moratti - Verola, Cambula, Dossobuono - Del Rosso, Galardini, Ughetto, Schirru, Termali - Cristiano, Mantenuto.

P. Dossobuono sailed high above the opponents as he headed in a corner kick from A. Mantenuto after 12 minutes of play, making the score 0 - 1. Some fine passing in the middle of the pitch, carving open the away defence, should have led to a goal for Milano, but A. Bellico's shot went over the bar. After 18 minutes, a well-worked counterattack by Luigira on the right presented an easy opportunity in front of the goal that was duly converted by V. Verola to make it 0 - 2. Milano's L. Alkmim found himself alone on the left side 19 minutes into the match and laid down a perfect shot - right into the arms of the keeper! The home team's supporters got excited again when P. Fondi broke through the visitors' central defence and caught their keeper off guard, making it 1 - 2. 1 - 2 was the halftime score. Milano had most of the ball, with 58 percent of possession.

Unhappy with the result so far in the game, the Milano manager used a brief break in play after 46 minutes to give the players new directives. The Luigira players could smell victory in the air. V. Termali wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for D. Piacentini after 46 minutes. The Luigira captaincy was handed to E. Ughetto. U. Galardini left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 50 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. S. Feliciano was the replacement. L. Schirru wanted to play on, but the Luigira coach had other ideas, and he was replaced 55 minutes into the game by D. Rossignoli. In the lead, Luigira adjusted their style of play with 70 minutes gone. Milano's L. Argenziano made an attempt at equalising 75 minutes into the match, coming in from the right, but the ball hit the post and the defence easily cleared the rebound. Milano claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 62 percent.

The most dominating Milano player was without a doubt A. Bellico. J. Machado turned in a dismal performance, however. Most important Luigira player was S. Cristiano. On the other hand, D. Piacentini's play was disheartening. The match ends 1 - 2.