USO GALAXY 6-3 ACZ Verolese

The Nyon draw by the CIS in Nyon formulated the board through to the final of this exciting Leonessa Cup. The Galaxy share with 63 other teams the berth to the knockout stages, and the urn pitted ACZ Verolanese against the Giallorossi.

The Verolanuova-based Gialloblu went through the round in second place, earning two wins and one loss. For the Galaxy, who came out of Group G with full points, it is the classic match not to be underestimated.

The classic absentee count sees a not insignificant forward shortage, with the absences of Gamba, Bregoli D and Boccuti. Bertolini chooses Martinuz; Romeo; Belotti, Magri, Mazzetti, Bregoli F; Bergamaschi (a disp. Crea, Fioretti, Gazzoli and Zammarchi).

The Giallorossi's flair is good, indeed, remarkable. Magri at the first turn of the clock hits the post and chokes in their throats the cheers of the supporters who flocked to Long Street Park exceptionally on Friday night. Just under a minute passes to see the net swell, and sealing the lead is Bregoli, making the most of Magri's service. Verolese does not fold and proves to be a tenacious and well-positioned team, very low and looking for restarts to strike. It goes close to equalizing, but the crossbar denies the joy of the goal. Appointment with 1-1 only momentarily postponed because on the development of a corner kick the Giallorossi fall asleep and let the opponent strike undisturbed in the center of the area.

The equalizing goal, however, lasts only the time of an action: on a kickoff Magri-Bergamaschi-Mazzetti pack an excellent triangulation that brings the number 19 to the conclusion from a very defiladed position, finding, however, a trajectory that ends its run under the opposite cross. The minimal lead does not give momentum to the Galaxy, partly due to the opponents who accumulate conviction as the minutes pass. The Giallorossi in a few too many situations get caught up more in eagerness than patience, and what ensues is the tying goal in the 13th minute, the child of confusion and a bit of nervousness. The second half is tense and both teams do not want to concede the slightest advantage to their opponents. Verolese remained patiently orderly and low defending their goal, while the Galaxy commanded the game and the pace, but without finding the winning shot. Taking the chestnuts out of the fire was Magri once again, finding the goal from the distance that put the Galaxy ahead for the third time at the end of the first half.

At the start of the second half, Bertolini took over from Bregoli, handing the left flank to Gazzoli and, after a short time, also called up Mazzetti for Zammarchi.

The Diez's entry turns out to be the perfect tactical key in the current match situation: Zammarchi is good at finding his placement on the field right away, providing the right balance to the team, but more importantly allowing for energy and dynamism in the center.

The rain gradually becomes more insistent and the one to benefit seems to be Belotti, who was a bit in the shade in the first half of the match. In the 8th minute his dialogue with Bergamaschi yields the 4-2 goal, giving his side more breathing room. The Galaxy understand the moment and, with great calmness, manage the ball knowing that Verolese will necessarily have to uncover themselves to find the equalizer. Gradually the guests' gambles begin to rekindle their hopes, but just at the moment of greatest pressure no one can stop Belotti's ripartenza progression that arrived at the edge of the area crosses, slipping the goalkeeper in the low corner. In fact it is the knockout blow. The minutes passed slowly under a relentless downpour and the Magical Army wisely disposed itself to keep risks to a minimum. In the 25th minute also came Bergamaschi's goal, good at stopping the ball and finding the winning turn on an assist directly from Dibu Martinuz.

ACZ's last efforts paid off with the final 6-3 goal in the midst of recovery.

With their fourth consecutive victory, the Galaxy deservedly advance to the round of 16 where they will face outside - again - GSO Duomo, who emerged victorious from their challenge with L'Emporio.