Sanvis 2 - 4 Deportivo (382104753)

11631 punters turned up at Sanvis united Arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Giachen Renicker was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Karel Goethals and Gerrie Backers. Sanvis had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. Starters: Griva - Zanardi, Mazzocco, Prete, Fornasini - Biazzo, Meinardi, Moradei, Cinotti - Peruzzi, De Rossi.

Deportivo tactics involved an interesting 4-4-2 combination. Lineup: Emmanuele - Deriu, Guerini, Puccio, Bognetti - Zazzeri, Paoleri, Stampacchia, Gallio - Cicogna, Fabbricini.

Sanvis created a good opportunity to score 2 minutes into the match when P. Mazzocco's hooked ball from the left created a scuffle in front of the goal, and the visitors' defenders had a hard time clearing the ball. With the clock showing 3 minutes played, a great pass from the defensive line of Deportivo resulted in a counterattack that was smoothly brought under control by A. Gallio in the centre of the opposition's penalty area, but his finish went high. At the 4 minute mark, it looked like the opportunity for Sanvis to score had been missed until P. Cinotti suddenly worked his way clear and fired off a spectacular shot. The keeper had no chance! 1 - 0. The referee was not popular with the home supporters after he awarded Deportivo a controversial penalty after 5 minutes. G. Deriu made no mistake, levelling the score at 1 - 1. Given a free kick in a difficult position after 27 minutes, Deportivo tried a variation that they had practised in training. The kick was sent into the area just in front of the keeper. However, the defence were on their toes and allowed no space for a finish. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 1. Deportivo had most of the ball, with 52 percent of possession.

S. Stampacchia came close to putting the visiting team one up 47 minutes into the match, following a solo raid down the middle, but Y. Griva managed to tip the ball to a corner. The terraces were silenced after 56 minutes when Deportivo's P. Zazzeri put the guests ahead 1 - 2, following an attack on the right. 59 minutes into the match, the visitors put themselves ahead 1 - 3 as G. Paoleri finished off an attack from the left with a spectacular scissors kick. A marvellous Sanvis effort on the right-hand side resulted in a goal after 64 minutes by D. Meinardi, making the score 2 - 3. After 69 minutes, a mistake by the home side's left defence allowed D. Guerini to get through. He outclassed the home side's keeper, adding another goal for the visitors. 2 - 4. By now, the players in Deportivo felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. Sanvis's P. Cinotti found himself alone on the left side 75 minutes into the match and laid down a perfect shot - right into the arms of the keeper! Deportivo's S. Stampacchia was shown a yellow card after 78 minutes for slicing down an opponent. With 80 minutes played, L. Bognetti of Deportivo fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. Deportivo enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 58 percent of possession.

S. Prete performed admirably for Sanvis. On the other hand, B. Moradei's play was disheartening. Deportivo's top performer was clearly G. Paoleri. However, S. Emmanuele made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 4.