MASSACRONI - Analysis

LEONARDO PERUGINI
Perhaps he wasn't quick enough to react on the first goal occasion, but to his credit the ball got deflected en route to goal at least once.
He produced a couple of miracle saves in the second half, and when he couldn't get there, he was helped by the crossbar, once, and his brilliant defenders, twice.

DAVIDE FILIPPI
Possibly the best man on the pitch wearing a white shirt on the night, the ease with which he handled proceedings at the back must have irritated the opponents a wee bit.
Self-assured and ferocious, one of the most consistent players of a marvellous season.

MARCO SEMINO
Stand up for the lad. A brilliant goalkeeper all season long, a brilliant defender on the most important night. Had it not been for the 2nd Massacroni goal, he would've produced an immaculate performance, but to be honest, he did extremely well and not only will he be thanked for his ability, but also for his commitment to the common cause.

ALDO MARLETTA
Free-kick, goal. Another free-kick, and Buccianti made it 2. He huffed and puffed on the right flank until his energies were drained and was shifted back in the middle of the park, where he belongs, mostly. He played a glorious ball in towards Buccianti, but also lost a couple of balls dangerously.

ALESSIO DI NOTO
He got a silly yellow card which could've proven costly for the final bit of the season, but he played beautifully, at times, and sloppily, at times.
A couple of brilliant openings could've amounted to as many goals, but Marletta and Buccianti couldn't find the back of the net.

MATTEO BOVALINO
He sacrificed for the team, as he has done indeed all season long, which is not something that usual for such a talented player. Even when not at his best form, he managed to deny Pedroni, a guy who's scored 43 goals so far and whose ability is absolutely out of the question.

ALBERTO BUCCIANTI
He'd clearly stated his intents before the game. He'd get brought down a number of times, and Clegg would make it count from the ensuing free kicks. Result: he got brought down once, and Clegg scored, he got brought down once more, and he scored himself with the thinnest of touches. He battled on all game long, got cautioned for sillily throwing the ball away, spurned a glorious chance, but all in all, he fought for the team, and he's one of the most proactive parts of a history of success. Along with his friends, which tastes all the better.

MANAGER LUIGI VANIN
He was ready to thrust himself on the pitch, had it been necessary owing to the shortage of personnel he was forced to deal with.
Luckily enough, his playing services weren't required, and although he got things wrong once or twice during the course of the season, he also got them all completely right a few times as well.
Last night was no exception, even though he hadn't any realistic subs at his disposal, he still managed to spot one or two alternative solutions.

REFEREE MEJIA
Much in the same way Modica had appeared one of the best refs in the league, Mejia once again proved to be on the other end of the pecking order, as he managed to flag a few too many cards in a game that wasn't really affected by continuous foul play. Not that he got any major decisions wrong, but his handling of the game was far from impressive.

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