31768 spectators had found their way to
ARENA, despite the heavy rain.
Ugo Wittendorff was the appointed referee with assistance provided by
Vincenzo Romano and
Herbert Stammer.
USM decided to use a 4-5-1 set up.
The following players took the field: Denisov - Welzl, Atkinson, Ballestero, Fialho - Dozza, Pãdureanu, Menjibar, Tillet, Belz - Najjar.
Lazora started off with a 3-5-2 lineup.
Starters: Pera - Zarco Punteros, Cañiza, Cacciaguerra - Paps, Fontdemora, Davies, Tatsidis, Tounsi - Boumnijel, Sbai.
The guests almost went up by a goal after 29 minutes when
M. Zarco Punteros came through and shot from the right. The ball bounced harmlessly off the post, though.
K. Davies was having a great game - if anything the pouring rain seemed to be spurring him on!
The teams went for the halftime break at 0 - 0.
Possession in this half belonged to Lazora, who controlled the ball 51 percent of the time.
The rain made it hard for players like
J. Fialho to show their technical control of the ball on this soggy day.
70 minutes into the match, the USM manager wanted to try a new tactic, and the players loyally obliged.
70 minutes into the game, USM wanted to bring some new energy to their game.
D. Dozza gave
J. Hanlo a quick hug as he left the field.
The home crowd was not impressed by the fancy moves of Lazora's
M. Tatsidis after 70 minutes. He converted a pass from the left for a goal, resulting in the visitors taking the 0 - 1 lead.
The USM players listened closely to their manager, as he gave new tactical instructions for the team.
USM had to make a substitution after 79 minutes.
C. Pãdureanu limped off the field and was replaced by
S. Jongbloed.
Y. Tounsi slipped and slithered in the wet grass. His usual rapid runs were nowhere to be seen today.
Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Lazora, with 57 percent of the ball.
The most dominating USM player was without a doubt
R. Belz.
S. Jongbloed on the other hand, had a terrible day.
Most important Lazora player was
K. Davies.
However,
M. Sbai made a disastrous appearance.
The match ends 0 - 1.