PREVIEW - Moro Populars

The first ever encounter between Dunfermline AFC and Moro Populars will be one of the fixtures on Gameweek 23, also representing the first matchday of the final phase of the AICS Division C league.
Both included in the Excellence Playoffs' Group B, Dunfermline and Moro finished their respective league groups in the top-two, but while the former actually won the league, the latter had to be content with the runners-up spot, having missed out on the title by only two points to Condo United.
The Populars have been a hard-to-beat side all season long, having been befallen by defeat only thrice, and having shared the best defence of their league group with Condo themselves.
On the other hand, they haven't scored much, as they could only manage 77 in 22 games, defender Rocco Baldi currently topping their own scoring chart with a 15 goal tally.
This could partly mean that Moro are a team based on a number of all-rounders, a rock-solid defence and a togetherness which surely is one of their most recognisable features, but Dunfermline haven't been too different from such a description, except for the fact they managed to place 3 players, Cantelli, Marletta and Buccianti, beyond the 20 goals mark.

However, The Pars' moment isn't exactly their best of the season, having just been thumped by Le Café in a perhaps not-so-indicative test match against Le Café, but more broadly affected by a weariness which, if underrated, could present the lads with a few negative surprises following a brilliant regular season.
Gaffer Vanin is still uncertain about whether or not he'll be able to count on his No 1's services, as Marco Semino may have played his last game of the season against Borussia on the final matchday of the group stage. Should he not be available for selection, Atnonio Minnella looks favourite for a starting spot ahead of Leonardo Perugini.
Dunfermline will be without one of their best men this term, Davide Filippi, who'll be serving a one match ban following his caution against Borussia, so the back pack should be composed by Fabio Frassinelli and Giuseppe Buttitta, unless Vanin opts for a makeshift at the back for Matteo Bovalino, who fared reasonably well when deployed supporting the back-two.
Bovalino's presence, though, may be desperately needed in midfield as well, considering that Aldo Marletta has been out of fitness over the past few weeks, and Alessio Di Noto is a doubt following a niggling thigh injury which could harm his chances of being fully involved.
With Andrea Borreani sidelined for the rest of the season, Marco Cantelli is likely to be deployed on the left flank, whereas Alberto Buccianti should play as a lone striker upfront.

NEXT GAME:
Division C, Excellence Playoffs, Group B
Dunfermline AFC - Moro Populars
Via Ungaretti, Sunday 18th May 2008
KO: 9 PM


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