League Play-Off

Stadio Bufalotta
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Cristiano Di Franco started the match with the kick off. In the 2nd match minute, Biancanigo was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Aurelio Melis to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 4th minute, Cristiano Festuccia managed to get in a good position for a shot. Bufalotta's supporters rose to their feet, but Cristiano Festuccia was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Antonello Burgnich breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 7th minute Cristiano Di Franco shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fulvio Cusumano saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Francesco Montaldi in the 9th minute of play forced Bufalotta's goalkeeper Fulvio Cusumano to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience was convinced that Cristiano Di Franco's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Fulvio Cusumano was relentless in the 14th minute of the game. After a defensive mix-up in Bufalotta's zone, Cristiano Di Franco stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Fulvio Cusumano came out of the goal and Cristiano Di Franco tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After having played for 18 minutes, Francesco Montaldi managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Biancanigo's supporters crossed their fingers, but Francesco Montaldi was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Francesco Montaldi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 20th minute. Fulvio Cusumano tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Fabiano Cipollini received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 24th minute. Fulvio Cusumano tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Bufalotta getting a freekick after 25 minutes play. Fulvio Corelli hit a great ball. The supporters of Biancanigo booed when Bufalotta was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Concetto Rosi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Bufalotta's Fulvio Cusumano played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristiano Di Franco in the 29th minute of play. Antonello Burgnich made an important save on a dangerous shot by Dennis Puglielli in the 30th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Cristiano Di Franco in the 32nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Fulvio Cusumano saved Bufalotta from getting behind. Bufalotta's Dennis Puglielli pulled a muscle in his leg after 33 minutes and couldn't finish the game. When Aurelio Melis fell near the penalty area in the 33rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Biancanigo's protests and gave Aurelio Melis a yellow card for diving instead. 44 minutes into the game, Attilio Feliziani was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Bufalotta's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Biancanigo the free kick. After 43 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Bufalotta! In the 45th minute there was a penalty for Biancanigo. Alfonso Fantasia stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Fulvio Cusumano. 0-2. After the first half Biancanigo were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Biancanigo's Antonello Burgnich played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristiano Festuccia in the 66th minute of play. Claudio Proia kicked well hit freekick during the 67th minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Cristiano Di Franco in the 69th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Fulvio Cusumano prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Cristiano Festuccia recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 70th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After having played for 74 minutes, Cristiano Di Franco managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Biancanigo's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cristiano Di Franco was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. With a little luck, Bufalotta's Fulvio Cusumano got control of the ball when Francesco Montaldi tried to sneak it across the goal line. 78 minutes into the match, Bufalotta's Cristiano Festuccia sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Antonello Burgnich narrowly saved just below the crossbar. When Cristiano Festuccia came up free with the goalie in the 79th minute, the Bufalotta fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Cristiano Festuccia couldn't finish the play. Cristiano Festuccia sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Antonello Burgnich took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristiano Festuccia, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Cristiano Di Franco fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Fulvio Cusumano having to interfere.