Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 40673 at Adrihattrick Arena today. Ingo Tauersee was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Pierre Dorl and Gabriel Radu. pescarese started off with a 4-5-1 lineup. The following players took the field: Masio - Durán de Quiroga, Halász, Bailote, Smedile - Pupovac, Bergamaschi, Lecaros, China, Graff - Carpio.

ASR had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. Starters: Aprigliano - Stavik, Perales, Broghammer, Tonnochy - Dushku, Orpo, Chini, Di Donato - Tonietti, Höck.

It was an obvious ambition of pescarese to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. ASR clearly had decided to counter-attack when they could. As the 2 minute mark approached, the pescarese coach decided it was time for a substitution. S. Graff reluctantly made way for O. Barçın on the pitch. 3 minutes into the game, pescarese wanted to bring some new energy to their game. O. Barçın gave R. Bonhof a quick hug as he left the field. It might be a while before the fans see ASR's L. Tonnochy again, after he had to leave the field in great distress at the 15 minute mark. He was replaced by M. D'Arco. After 22 minutes, the home side was awarded a penalty. The visitors protested wildly but the referee was adamant. L. Bergamaschi easily put the ball away to give the lead to pescarese. 1 - 0 ASR almost scored after a counterattack 33 minutes into the match, but F. Dushku took a shot from the left that landed harmlessly in the side of the net. L. Pupovac had a fantastic opportunity to put pescarese up another goal 36 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. With the clock showing 37 minutes played, a great pass from the defensive line of ASR resulted in a counterattack that was smoothly brought under control by C. Höck in the centre of the opposition's penalty area, but his finish went high. pescarese were given a gift! The ref dubiously awarded them a penalty 39 minutes into the match, which was neatly put away by L. Bergamaschi. 2 - 0 for the home side. 2 - 0 was the score after the first half. pescarese claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 65 percent.

Unhappy with the result so far in the game, the ASR manager used a brief break in play after 70 minutes to give the players new directives. The ASR coach was desperate to reverse his team's fortunes in the game, and ordered his team to change strategy. pescarese were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. L. Bergamaschi unleashed a swerving effort from the right that the visitors' keeper did well to tip wide. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, ASR's G. Stavik was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 80 minutes. G. Vallefuoco was given a chance to change things around. The ASR players listened closely to their manager, as he gave new tactical instructions for the team. R. Bonhof should probably have put his team up another goal after 81 minutes, but some great goalkeeping by C. Aprigliano kept the visitors in the game. 82 minutes into the game ASR managed a counterattack, but G. Tonietti took a soft shot from the left flank that was easy prey for the alert keeper. After 83 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as ASR found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to inadequate. L. Pupovac wanted to play on, but the pescarese coach had other ideas, and he was replaced 88 minutes into the game by A. Karasti. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by pescarese, with 63 percent of the ball.

pescarese's best player was J. Carpio. On the other hand, A. Karasti's play was disheartening. The most dominating ASR player was without a doubt G. Vallefuoco. M. D'Arco was a disappointment, however. The match ends 2 - 0.