Sampei 4 - 3 Strippoli (381688321)

The weather was pretty good, and a crowd of 37375 had shown up at Parco Alcadia Colli del Chianti for the match. Hansruedi Bortner was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Lucash Cándamo and Patrik Larsson. Sampei decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Starters: Lupi - Becchio, Simionato, Puskanen - Svensson, Tilli, Bonvicini, Argenziano, Gerosa - Ciancaleoni, Boriello.

Strippoli had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Bożym - Rebić, Rosu, Fanti - Farahmand, Barros Jr., Fassari, Amoroso, Orzech - Wetzl, Wojdecki.

It was an obvious ambition of Strippoli to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. With 19 minutes played, T. Puskanen of Sampei fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. G. Tilli caused the crowd to go mental with his goal up the middle after 25 minutes. This gave Sampei the 1 - 0 lead. Sampei managed to extend their lead to 2 - 0 when F. Ciancaleoni cut in neatly from the left side and struck a fine shot past the away team's goalkeeper. M. Lupi made a brilliant save 40 minutes into the match, blocking a rocket of a shot from W. Wojdecki on the right hand side. The goal to make it 3 - 0 was scored by M. Svensson after 41 minutes, following an opportunistic counterattack down the middle by Sampei. 3 - 0 was the score after the first half. Possession in this half belonged to Sampei, who controlled the ball 51 percent of the time.

The away team improved the scoreline to 3 - 1, as M. Rosu struck home, set up well by a play on the left 50 minutes into the match. Strippoli had to make a substitution after 53 minutes. E. Fanti limped off the field and was replaced by S. Paciaroni. The visitors' right side was dangerous today; F. Wetzl made the home team's keeper look foolish as he easily reduced the lead to make it 3 - 2 71 minutes into the match. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. F. Ciancaleoni squirmed through their central defence after 73 minutes, increasing the lead to 4 - 2. Strippoli reduced the lead after 84 minutes to 4 - 3 as E. Fassari easily chipped the ball past the home side's keeper after a dazzling play from the right. Sampei had most of the ball, with 52 percent of possession.

Sampei's best player was F. Ciancaleoni. On the other hand, T. Puskanen's play was disheartening. J. Orzech performed admirably for Strippoli. M. Rosu turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 4 - 3.