Mattias 1 - 3 Athletic (378212342)

Clouds darkened the skies at Mattia's Park Lane as 737 spectators turned up for the match. Bengt Runesson was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Mark Moerenhout and Derek Verpoort. Mattias started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. Lineup: Guandalini - Ballester, Thaulow, Giove - Wengler, Moerkerke, Buitrago, Armentano, Klinggaard - Mazzucco, Mantovani.

Athletic decided to use a 4-3-3 set up. The following players had been chosen: Speranti - Battista, Andrisani, Kasza, Galluccio - Poeira, Nasi, Argenta - Folini, Rottensteiner, Bozzuto.

Mattias mostly ignored the flanks in favour of their ability to attack in the middle. Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Athletic. Athletic's P. Folini was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 6 minutes. Unsportsmanlike behaviour by P. Folini rendered him his second booking of the match, and Athletic had to finish the game with a reduced squad. Mattias had to make a substitution after 30 minutes. M. Guandalini limped off the field and was replaced by E. Convertino. After 36 minutes, a well-worked counterattack by Athletic on the right presented an easy opportunity in front of the goal that was duly converted by R. Poeira to make it 0 - 1. After 37 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for R. Poeira who increased Athletic's lead to 0 - 2. D. Wengler tried to get a goal back for Mattias but despite all his hard work down the right, he just couldn't complete the move. After 41 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as Athletic found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to inadequate. A corner kick created great disorder in the penalty area with a goal nearly scored by N. Bozzuto. At last, Athletic's G. Battista was able to backheel the ball in. 0 - 3. Athletic's defence sent a ball soaring up the middle on a beautiful counterattack with 44 minutes gone, but D. Rottensteiner's finish was met by the reaching hands of the keeper. 0 - 3 was the halftime score. Mattias had most of the ball, with 71 percent of possession.

The Athletic players spent the break getting a rerun of the team's tactical organisation and regained a solid organisation when the game started again. Mattias needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 59 minutes F. Mantovani made way for V. Lo Iacono. Mattias's fans were urging them forward as they tried to get back into the game, and their vocal support was rewarded 66 minutes into the match as V. Lo Iacono ran onto a beautiful ball played through the visitors' defence and slotted it past the keeper to reduce the deficit. 1 - 3. After 68 minutes, the defensive line of Athletic created a counterattack through the middle that gave L. Nasi a good look at the goal, but his shot glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. Good work by the Athletic defensive line after 75 minutes produced a good counterattack chance, which cut elegantly down the middle of the pitch and found N. Bozzuto alone in front of the goal, but his shot whistled just wide. 80 minutes in, Athletic appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only passable. A superb free kick by Mattias's V. Mazzucco after 82 minutes looked like it'd reduced the lead after it hit the underside of the bar and bounced down over the line, but to the fury of the home crowd the linesman missed it - no goal! R. Armentano charged down the left and looked sure to score for Mattias 83 minutes into the game, but his shot went just wide. Mattias enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 76 percent of possession.

Most important Mattias player was V. Mazzucco. However, E. Convertino made a disastrous appearance. A. Argenta performed admirably for Athletic. C. Andrisani was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1 - 3.