ACILIAS 3 - 3 ABSINTHIA (382013028)

Clear skies welcomed the 9211 spectators who had made their way to ACILIA'S Stadium. Kazım Baba was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Mikael L. Marcusson and Frank Kvarnblom. ACILIAS had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. Starters: Molisso - Moca, Büscher, Apicella, Moulart - Zanarini, Guerrato, Bragone, Luca - Bonnewit, Kokoszkiewicz.

ABSINTHIA tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Lineup: Cuppari - Bastioni, Zoccola, Vestuti - Cabrini, Duma, Mezzetti, Gregoroni, Bellanca - La Spada, Confuorti.

It was an obvious ambition of ACILIAS to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. M. Cabrini was doing a great job on his wing, sending in brilliant passes to his teammates in the middle, but F. Bellanca seemed unable to profit from this excellent service. Almost all the way down to the corner flag, ABSINTHIA's F. Bellanca somehow managed to get a perfect pass into the middle, impossible to miss for R. La Spada, who struck for 0 - 1. After 21 minutes, ABSINTHIA's A. Confuorti burst through the central defence and let loose a cannonball of a shot, scoring for 0 - 2. The visitors' A. Confuorti took advantage of a misunderstanding between the home side's goalie and centre backs 22 minutes into the match. 0 - 3 for ABSINTHIA. M. Sottili was called on to replace ABSINTHIA's G. Bastioni after 25 minutes following a nasty collision. The home side worked their way through the middle and almost got one back when J. Kokoszkiewicz tried to sneak the ball past the keeper. A. Cuppari was too alert for that! Halftime score was 0 - 3. Possession in this half belonged to ACILIAS, who controlled the ball 53 percent of the time.

Although the whole team were struggling to impress, ACILIAS's S. Bonnewit was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 56 minutes. A. Gutiérrez was given a chance to change things around. ACILIAS supporters cheered as good work down the right got the ball to A. Guerrato who reduced the visitors' lead after 58 minutes to 1 - 3. ABSINTHIA came close to extending their lead as R. La Spada delivered a low effort on goal from the right after 61 minutes, but the angle was too narrow and the shot went harmlessly into the side netting. ACILIAS's M. Bragone managed a superb strike from the left after 64 minutes that would have left goalkeeper A. Cuppari without a chance, had it not hit the post. 66 minutes into the game ACILIAS broke through on the left wing and J. Kokoszkiewicz managed to reduce the lead to 2 - 3. After a fatal mistake from the away team's right side defence 74 minutes into the match, an alert A. Gutiérrez bagged the ball for ACILIAS, levelling the score to 3 - 3. ABSINTHIA made sure of not letting A. Luca succeed with his speed. When an opportunity appeared for him, as it did 81 minutes into the game, speedy I. Mezzetti came to the rescue and stopped the attack. ACILIAS had most of the ball, with 58 percent of possession.

ACILIAS's top performer was clearly J. Kokoszkiewicz. However, F. Apicella made a disastrous appearance. R. La Spada performed admirably for ABSINTHIA. On the other hand, P. Zoccola's play was disheartening. The match ends 3 - 3.