USO GALAXY 4-2 ATL Verniciatura

After the thud against Villa Galaxy, the Giallorossi are called upon to respond present in the challenge to the new ATL Paint, completely restyled from the 2021-2022 season, the year of the much-deserved Championship triumph.

Mr. Valenza slowly sees the bench lengthen with the crucial return of Bergamaschi, but loses Martinuz, in addition to the longtime absentees Vitali, Eddiraoui and Gamba. Belotti, with a past in defense of the net in Castegnatesi's youth teams, is offered between the posts; in front of him Romeo, again a starter after his initial benching in the midweek debacle; Magri-Mazzetti M the central pair with Bertolini and Gazzoli on their respective sides, all supporting the returning Bergamaschi (Crea, Fioretti, Mazzetti A, Bregoli, Lamberti and Boccuti at his disposal).

The match began with the classic study phase although it soon became clear that the challenge would be very balanced, although it saw the Giallorossi seize the ball to impose their own pace on the match.

The chances were slow in coming, but slowly the Galaxy began to knock on the white-blue goal: Bertolini from the distance tried a conclusion, but the extreme goalkeeper was good at repelling for a corner; shortly afterwards again the number 17 had the right opportunity to score on Magri's service, but the shot was repelled by a good exit of the host number 12. ATL tries thanks to the exuberance of its center forward, but the aim is far from bothering Belotti. In the 22nd minute, Magri takes the lead and the balance is broken: the Galaxy maneuver a tight choral action before finding the number 6 free; the captain's conclusion is strong and precise and goes into the net after a gentle caress to the crossbar. The first half seemed to end without any further thrills, but at the expiration of the recovery time here is the blaze of the white-blue center forward who from the distance and without too much difficulty punishes Belotti and makes it 1-1.

The second half began again with Fioretti replacing an exhausted Gazzoli. After 5 minutes the guests found an uncovered corridor in which to venture and kick at the net from a distance; the conclusion was not powerful, but took a strange turn and entered the net after hitting the post. It was a not inconsiderable blow to the Galaxy's safeties, which up to that point had been poorly engaged defensively. The Armata Giallorossa, however, did not flinch and began to sew up play and chances again, two of them colossal: the first one happened at the feet of Bergamaschi, who was good at getting a penalty that he was in charge of kicking. He opts for a spoon on which, however, the white-blue goalkeeper gets the better of him. The second sensational chance arrives at the feet of Mazzetti, too confident to finish on net from a few steps, but once again the host extreme defender closes the shutter and postpones the party. To shake things up, Valenza chooses to insert Lamberti and Bregoli in place of Mazzetti and Bertolini. In fact, it is the move that changes the face of the match. The 8 and 10 are the faces that give freshness and lucidity to the Giallorossi, and the comeback takes action. In the 39th minute it was the newcomers who packed the equalizing goal, with Bregoli good at being in the right place on Lamberti's service and cynical in front of the goalkeeper. The white-blue accused the hosts' enthusiasm and began to falter. In the 43rd minute, Magri serves Lamberti on the right who does not think too much about it and lets off a right-footed shot that with extreme precision goes in just wide of the post for the goal that is worth the momentary overtake.

The guest reaction is more angry than effective and never hurts the Giallorossi rearguard. The Magical Army remains orderly and on the ball until the end when the referee decides to whistle the second penalty of the evening. This time it was Magri on the penalty spot who made it 4-2 with a handful of minutes to go. There is room for two fine saves by Belotti before Bregoli is sent off for double caution.

Thus ends a match that was tougher than expected, but in which once again the Galaxy showed that they are a square, determined team ready to play their cards.