League Play-Off

Verona
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Damiano Bernardini took the kick off in the first half of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Damiano Bernardini in the 4th minute of play forced Faenza's goalkeeper Bruno Ranieri to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 5 played minutes Faenza got a freekick which was hit by Fabio Carta. Comunardo Palomba was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 6th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. After some careless play in the Verona defense, Fulvio Donato kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Fabio Rosa. The Verona fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Fabio Rosa should have stopped the shot. In the 16th match minute, Verona was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ernesto Antenucci to maneuver through the defense. In the 18th minute the ball was on its way in behind Verona's goalkeeper Fabio Rosa, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Faenza's Bruno Ranieri played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Damiano Bernardini in the 22nd minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Fulvio Donato in the 29th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Fabio Rosa saved Verona from getting behind. Bruno Ranieri showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Corrado Mauro, who was totally free with the ball in the 36th minute. After some careless play in the Faenza defense, Alberigo Iacomini kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Bruno Ranieri. The Faenza fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Bruno Ranieri should have stopped the shot. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

With a little luck, Verona's Fabio Rosa got control of the ball when Alberto Di Vito tried to sneak it across the goal line. If Fulvio Donato had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Bruno Ranieri made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Damiano Bernardini in the 55th minute of play. Corrado Mauro struck a weak shot in the 63rd minute. Bruno Ranieri didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Verona. In the 67th minute, Fulvio Donato ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Fabio Rosa was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-2. Damiano Bernardini sent away a hard shot on goal in the 75th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Daniele Biagetti kicked well hit freekick during the 76th minute of the match. Bruno Ranieri showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Damiano Bernardini in the 82nd minute of the match. When Faenza's Fulvio Donato in the 84th minute got a chance for a shot 84th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Verona's goalie prevented a goal. Fabio Carta might have been able to make a better finish in the 88th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Fabio Rosa. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Fabio Carta ran back to his position shaking his head. The second half was just like the first, even and exciting. The match ended in a draw.