Messina 2 - 1 BARIANA (381883816)

Clouds darkened the skies at Giovanni Celeste as 17828 spectators turned up for the match. Felipe Jauregui Bereciartu was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Mick Hedemann and Noel Christian Schnürer. Messina tactics involved an interesting 2-5-3 combination. They fielded: Vázquez - Błaszczok, Glawischnig - Ernst, Chassain, Madeddu, Dubois, Falck - Gasbarro, Cardelli, Colavito.

BARIANA started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. Lineup: Formichi - Lossius, Duvskär, Schmeier - Vozikakis, Sneck, Bassi, Matas, Domalik - Kronbäck, Tecer.

BARIANA used their ability to concentrate their attacks in the middle of the pitch, rather than on the wings. B. Duvskär came close to putting the visiting team one up 9 minutes into the match, following a solo raid down the middle, but D. Vázquez managed to tip the ball to a corner. Down the middle came P. Sneck, making a fantastic play that nearly had BARIANA take the lead after 13 minutes, but D. Vázquez preserved the tie. Messina took the lead 31 minutes in, as T. Cardelli broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. The corner kick from Ö. Tecer was powerfully met by the head of T. Lossius to make the score 1 - 1. Messina could have put themselves ahead after 35 minutes but S. Ernst missed a volley shot on a ball coming in from the right. Some great play up the middle by Messina led to a chance for A. Colavito to score after 37 minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar. It was 1 - 1 at the break. Messina had most of the ball, with 56 percent of possession.

BARIANA players heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their wing attacks to the middle instead. 51 minutes into the game, Ö. Tecer almost gave the visitors the lead, as he clipped a delicate lob over the keeper, but the ball glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. Slack defending gave Messina a chance to take the lead with 56 minutes played, but I. Błaszczok's cross from the left flank was fumbled in front of the goal and easily dealt with by the opposition. V. Falck was very close to giving Messina the lead with an ingenious free kick routine 58 minutes into the match, but the ball just grazed the bar. The home side put themselves ahead 2 - 1 after 61 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from V. Falck, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. Messina's T. Cardelli saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 68 minutes. BARIANA had a good opportunity to attack on the wing, but remembered their instructions to go for middle attacks. Messina enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 57 percent of possession.

Messina's top performer was clearly A. Colavito. However, D. Vázquez made a disastrous appearance. The most dominating BARIANA player was without a doubt R. Kronbäck. On the other hand, A. Vozikakis's play was disheartening. The match ends 2 - 1.