Rizza 4 - 1 Balenghi2 (393612634)

The weather was pretty good, and a crowd of 326 had shown up at Rizza cLuB for the match. Hennes Egloff was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Jérémie Pascault and Daniel Manzoni. Rizza decided to use a 2-5-3 set up. The following players took the field: Staunforth - Mosaddegh, Picone - Boom, Murdzek, Håkansson, Aszlányi, van den Ende - Girón Téllez, Cappilli, Di Donato.

Balenghi2 had chosen a strategic 3-3-2 formation. They fielded: Sito - Fenzi, Casarini, Rajhenfater - Gaudio, Dekorsy, Payet - Figueroa, Itta.

Today, Rizza's strategy involved concentrating on the flanks for their attacks. Balenghi2 clearly preferred using their ability to attack in the middle. After 6 minutes, R. van den Ende came in from the right, feinted, then sped past the off-balance defender to make the score 1 - 0, giving Rizza the lead. 11 minutes into the game, Balenghi2 seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion and they fell to a inadequate level of organisation. P. Murdzek received some harsh words from his coach after he acted foolishly 14 minutes into the match, probably out of lack of experience, and almost let an opponent score. M. Casarini of Balenghi2 seemed to be floating in the air as he elegantly headed in to make the score 1 - 1 after a corner kick that was nicely executed by P. Itta. Rizza created a good opportunity to score 22 minutes into the match when R. Di Donato'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. Rizza took the lead 24 minutes in, as V. Aszlányi broke through on the left and put the 2 - 1 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. Rizza's P. Boom refused to leave the field after injuring his achilles tendon after 25 minutes. A scuffle developed as players from both sides clashed following a tussle in the centre of the field 33 minutes into the match. After regaining order and consulting his linesman, the referee called Rizza's P. Boom to one side and produced a red card for the player. F. Cappilli increased Rizza's lead to 3 - 1 with a penalty spot cannonball. 3 - 1 was the score after the first half. Possession in this half belonged to Rizza, who controlled the ball 64 percent of the time.

Despite his frustration resulting in the smashing of a few teacups, the coach of Balenghi2 was able to get his message across, and raised Balenghi2's organisation to solid. The coach of Rizza was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 46 minutes, G. Mangiacasale came on for J. Girón Téllez. F. Picone was the new captain of Rizza - handed the armband by the departing player. Balenghi2 were determined to attack in the middle, even their wing attacks ended up centrally. The crowd roared its approval when A. Staunforth somehow managed to block a shot which seemed to be a certain goal by Balenghi2's M. Figueroa 51 minutes into the game. 54 minutes into the game, Balenghi2 seemed a little tentative in their play as their organization fell to inadequate. Rizza increased the lead as V. Aszlányi struck to make the score 4 - 1 after an attack from the left left him unmarked in front of the keeper. By now, the players in Rizza felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. 79 minutes in, Balenghi2 appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only inadequate. Rizza claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 60 percent.

R. Di Donato performed admirably for Rizza. However, R. van den Ende made a disastrous appearance. Most important Balenghi2 player was P. Itta. P. Payet was a disappointment, however. The match ends 4 - 1.