League Play-Off

Stezzano
Spectators: 33 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Stezzano AFC's Domenico Liaci started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. The crowd rose to their feet as Stezzano AFC's Domenico Liaci slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Alessandro Piccoli. That made the score 1-0 after 5 minutes of play. After 10 played minutes Stezzano AFC got a freekick which was hit by Enrico Sforza. The supporters of Stezzano AFC booed when Minoprio AFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 13 match minutes in a wonderful position. Fausto Piano didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alessandro Piccoli didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 15th minute, which inside left pole to 2-0. Achille Di Massimo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 18th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Anthony Ballerini showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Achille Di Massimo, who was totally free with the ball in the 22nd minute. Armin Schirone's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 27thth minute, Alessandro Piccoli skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. After having played for 28 minutes, Eugenio Fioriti managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Minoprio AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Eugenio Fioriti was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Alessandro Piccoli took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Domenico Liaci, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Fausto Piano was shown his second yellow card after 33 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. After 34 played minutes Minoprio AFC got a freekick which was hit by Fausto Piano. Stezzano AFC's Armin Schirone got a good chance for a goal in the 35th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Fausto Ferraresi's late challenge caught a Stezzano AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Fausto Ferraresi helped the player get up and apologised. In the 40th minute, one of Minoprio AFC:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Minoprio AFC. Alessandro Piccoli had in the 42ndth minute some difficulties stopping Claudio Penna's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. After having played for 47 minutes, Alessio Di Bartolo managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Stezzano AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alessio Di Bartolo was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 3-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Achille Di Massimo stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Achille Di Massimo in the 61stth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Anthony Ballerini, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. 69 minutes into the match, Minoprio AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Armin Schirone came free, but Alessandro Piccoli reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Armin Schirone in the 71st minute of play forced Minoprio AFC's goalkeeper Alessandro Piccoli to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Armin Schirone recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 73rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 75th minute, Eugenio Fioriti got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Alessandro Piccoli showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Domenico Liaci in the 77th minute of the match. If Armin Schirone had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Achille Di Massimo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 96th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Anthony Ballerini having to interfere. For all the effort they put into the match, the Minoprio AFC players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Stezzano AFC.