Day 11 of this exciting Serie A is undoubtedly an important crossroads for the entire season. In Wednesday's early match, GO S.Giovanni's victory over Boca Sampa allowed the Polaveno boys to return to look down on everyone in solitary for the first time in 11 weeks. The other highly anticipated big match is staged on the Borgonato turf, where the green-and-whites host the Galaxy in a challenge with a playoff flavor.
The Giallorossi come to the match recovering Romeo, Bertolini and Belotti, but losing Boccuti with a rib problem and Gazzoli due to unavailability. Mr. Valenza sends Martinuz on the field from the first minute; Crea; Magri, Lamberti, Belotti, Eddiraoui; Bergamaschi (a disp. Romeo, Mazzetti A, Bregoli, Bertolini, Fioretti). In spite of what one might have thought on the eve of the game about the condition of the field, it instead appeared to be in good condition despite the weather events of the last few days.
The match begins and, as usual, the first minutes are of substantial balance in the most classic of study phases. The first chance arrives between the feet of the hosts with a conclusion from the distance that shatters on the post to the left of Martinuz. Opening the dances is the usual Bergamaschi at 6' with a torpedo from the distance on which the opponent's extreme defender can do nothing. The lead lasted only long enough, however, to get the ball back to midfield because the hosts took advantage of a double indecision by Magri and Crea to immediately restore the tie. The Galaxy do not flinch and take back the reins of the game, facilitated by a more covering attitude of the green-and-whites. In the 10th minute, Bergamaschi dueled with Eddiraoui, sowing panic on the left; the center forward put the ball into the center, which crossed the entire small area before being put into the net by Lamberti, masterfully positioned at the second post. Bolstered by the advantage, the Giallorossi pushed on the accelerator, sending Eddiraoui to the conclusion in a couple of circumstances, but both shots ended high above the crossbar.
The gritty and tenacious hosts showed that they fervently wanted fourth place, and in the 13th minute they again pierced the Giallorossi defensive line with a gritty and stubborn move. Shortly afterwards it was again the Franciacortini who came close to scoring, but the center forward's conclusion was printed on the outside of the post from a deflected position. The first half is electric and Eddiraoui is definitely the most sparkling among the guests, although his aim does not reward him. Toward the end of the first half, the Galaxy took the lead for the third time, thanks precisely to the Moroccan outfielder, who was good at offering Bergamaschi a ball only to be placed in the goal for the 2-3 goal.
Mr. Valenza decided to return to the field with the same men to try to increase the lead. The resumption, however, reinvigorated the hosts, who were decidedly more aggressive than in the first half. Bertolini takes over for Eddiraoui, who was nervous after some disagreements with the opposing bench. The green-and-whites constantly push on the accelerator, forcing the Galaxy into a game of remittance. Crea on several occasions is monumental, and where he does not come through it is Martinuz who takes the stage. At halftime Lamberti gives way to Bregoli to bring more dynamism to the middle, but the plot does not change. The Giallorossi put up an impassable wall on which Borgonato crashes on several occasions trying in every way to swell the net. As time passes, the hosts' attempts become less and less sharp and more confused, with personal actions and lack of lucidity at the decisive moment. Fate thus rewards the cohesion of the Magical Army, at times moving for order and self-sacrifice in defense of the lead.
A few moments before the recovery, the Galaxy managed to deliver a long ball to the feet of Bergamaschi, skilful in using his body to evade the marking of the direct opponent and move the ball a split second before the intervention of the goalkeeper in desperate exit. The referee decreed the penalty kick and Bertolini stepped to the penalty spot. The conclusion of the number 17 is strong and angled enough not to allow the guest extreme defender to parry it. There is only room for Borgonato's last desperate attempts, but the Galaxy's fortress does not give way.
A magnificent victory, achieved on a very difficult field and against a well-prepared team. A victory worth double considering the ranking and the weight of being able to play the return match at home. Adro's draw and the defeats of Ospitaletto and Villa Galaxy allow the Giallorossi to shorten on third place (now only 3 lengths away) and at the same time to stretch on the direct pursuers.
Now for the Galaxy there will be two weeks to prepare for the challenge against Pilzone, scheduled at Ali Sami Yen on Friday, 15/12, before concluding the first half of the season with an away match at Ospitaletto on 21/12.
