RealSalerno2012 1 - 2 M.A.C. (382162391)

Fairly good weather for football had drawn a crowd of 8236 to ArechiArena. Benedictus Beyer was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Adrian Elsner and Armin Charmillot. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for RealSalerno2012. They fielded: Stephens - Wenzel, Barbareschi, Przeradzki - Galli, Fundoni, Marras, Coccia, Savio - Napoli, Peter.

M.A.C. started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. Starters: Velamines - Giani, Bartolini, Goman, Zmole - Taccone, Cesareo, Nisii, Sacco - Malandrino, Robazza.

The strategy for RealSalerno2012 was to use their ability to press. RealSalerno2012 could have put themselves ahead after 21 minutes but L. Wenzel missed a volley shot on a ball coming in from the right. With 26 minutes played M. Barbareschi almost put the home team one ahead on a cross coming in from the right, but the shot went just wide. At this time in the match, RealSalerno2012 were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. Given a free kick in a difficult position after 29 minutes, RealSalerno2012 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. As the 43 minute mark approached, the M.A.C. coach decided it was time for a substitution. E. Robazza reluctantly made way for N. Dell'Oro on the pitch. Halftime score was 0 - 0. RealSalerno2012 claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 57 percent.

54 minutes into the game, C. Taccone finished off a M.A.C. left wing counterattack, making the score 0 - 1. RealSalerno2012's talent at pressing frustrated the spectators as the game became a dire midfield struggle. M. Malandrino's lightning pace was too much for L. Wenzel who could only look on as the M.A.C. player blasted one home. 0 - 2. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, RealSalerno2012's F. Fundoni was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 73 minutes. D. Soderi was given a chance to change things around. Having been awarded a free kick in an awkward position after 74 minutes, RealSalerno2012 did not go for a shot but instead fired the ball hard into the 6 yard box. After a brief tussle with his marker, D. Coccia was able to power the ball past the keeper to make the score 1 - 2. The coach of M.A.C. was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 75 minutes, L. Casaburi came on for C. Taccone. A. Setznagel was called on to replace M.A.C.'s I. Velamines after 78 minutes following a nasty collision. After 79 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as RealSalerno2012 found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to weak. The pressing tactics used by RealSalerno2012 were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. With 81 minutes played, N. Dell'Oro of M.A.C. fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. RealSalerno2012's R. Napoli made a successful breakthrough on the left after 84 minutes and should have levelled the score, but instead he clipped it over the bar. M. Barbareschi of RealSalerno2012 received a yellow card after 84 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. M.A.C. had most of the ball, with 58 percent of possession.

Most important RealSalerno2012 player was C. Peter. However, G. Stephens made a disastrous appearance. M.A.C.'s top performer was clearly P. Cesareo. L. Casaburi on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 1 - 2.