Patavii 3 - 0 EXCELSIOR (381666404)

It was an exceptionally sunny day for the crowd of 48116 that came out to MSG Arena. Tommy Johansson was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Álvaro Azuaje and Tomi Henggeler. Patavii tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. The following players had been chosen: van Schalen - Voroli, Pinho Filho, Bichta - Ureña, Mezzogori, Lancia, Gragnani, Albano - Żur, Specchio.

EXCELSIOR decided to use a 4-5-1 set up. They fielded: Igelflod - Mastrototaro, Ghinzani, Schranz, Raemdonck - Mazzoni, Merivot, Ristić, Riba Peña, Türe - Bizzini.

The strategy for EXCELSIOR was to use their ability to press. A. Mezzogori of Patavii was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. The pressing tactics used by EXCELSIOR were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. Patavii took the lead 26 minutes in, as P. Voroli broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. 27 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defence had to look on as Ł. Żur broke through, making the score 2 - 0 for Patavii. A great save by keeper H. Igelflod after 31 minutes kept the visitors in the game after A. Ureña struck from the left with a real cannonball. 2 - 0 was the halftime score. Patavii claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 59 percent.

The sun seemed to put L. Gragnani in a great mood, and he showed off his technical skills all match long. Coming from the right, D. Specchio almost managed to score another goal for Patavii, but his header was tipped over the bar by the visitors' keeper. Content with how the game was proceeding, the Patavii coach let Ä. Zenneck replace J. Bichta after 70 minutes. Patavii managed to extend their lead to 3 - 0 when D. Specchio cut in neatly from the left side and struck a fine shot past the away team's goalkeeper. P. Voroli wanted to play on, but the Patavii coach had other ideas, and he was replaced 74 minutes into the game by U. Novara. EXCELSIOR pressed their opponents, causing the game to be a bit of a stalemate at times. EXCELSIOR's talent at pressing frustrated the spectators as the game became a dire midfield struggle. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Patavii, with 64 percent of the ball.

Patavii's best player was Ł. Żur. On the other hand, Ä. Zenneck's play was disheartening. The most dominating EXCELSIOR player was without a doubt C. Mazzoni. H. Igelflod turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 3 - 0.