Malta 1-0 San Marino • newsrimini.it
The first time in San Marino in Malta begins with a minute of silence to commemorate the untimely death of Mark Piscopo, the warehouse keeper of the home team who died after a long illness. Costantini confirms the rotations announced in the press conference, finding Fabbri from the beginning and launching David Tomassini with Lunadei on the sides of Battistini. D’Addario and Grandoni in the ward, with Ceccaroli supporting Nanni. Palazzi and Rossi confirmed, Elia Benedettini is the owner of the door again.
The challenge is tough from the first tackles, but San Marino seems to take possession of the field after the preliminary study phase, presiding over the opposing area with four inactive balls delivered to the center during the first seven minutes. The most promising opportunity at the start is generated by an interception by Lunadei in the middle of the field, which flows into the side discharge for Nanni. The striker loses the time of the serve from the middle distance and the home defense closes like a hedgehog, effectively. Shortly after, Grandoni’s imprecise attempt – shooting from 20 meters with the left-handed. The hosts protest on 19 ‘when, on the development of a corner, D’Addario moves Apap into the penalty area. For the Dutch Higles you can play and this time the VAR is silent. Unlike the National Stadium, which three minutes later stands up on the left-handed on the fly of Camenzuli, freed from a rebound on D’Addario on the edge of the area. It is the best moment for Malta, which in the left-handed external recovery finds the best and most dangerous plays. The most tempting opportunity for the Knights of St. George materializes close to the half hour, when Teuma puts down in the area and crosses penitently to the center, where Montebello anticipates Palazzi and shoots a penalty in motion. Better Malta in the second half of the first half, nevertheless Benedettini’s first half can be said to be inactive. The counterpart Bonello trembles in the 40th minute on the right as Ceccaroli turns, freed on the left from the great work of Nanni – who defends a defensive postponement from repeated attacks by Pepe. Similarly, Malta is dangerous with a shot that does not hit the mirror: Teuma frees a southpaw of unprecedented power who does not go very far from the intersection of the posts.
At the start of the second half Malta pushes on the accelerator and earns two corner kicks in the space of a few minutes. The pressure generates a dirty ball in the penalty area, destined for Montebello in an evident offside position. Judged does not activate the position of the attacker, with the action that develops in the lane for the cross of Camenzuli who finds the winning movement of Zach Muscat on the near post. Pumpkin from a short distance that leaves no way out for Benedictines. San Marino protests calling for the intervention of the VAR, but no signs of revision are coming from the Dutch arbitration director. Malta flies on the wings of enthusiasm and in the 58th minute becomes dangerous on the Guillaumier-Mbong axis, whose cross-shot is rejected laterally by the first intervention in Benedettini’s match. At game time double change for Costantini, who throws Rinaldi and Mularoni into the fray. However Malta is dangerous, it is inflating the bag on the developments of a corner: Montebello wins the physical duel with Palazzi and beats Benedettini from a negligible distance. Maltese doubling challenged by the VAR, which detects the position of a millimeter offside of the home attacker. The silent check leads to the 2-0 cancellation, but Malta continues to push and becomes dangerous with Teuma freeing a right stretched for a corner by Benedettini. San Marino’s response in the 68th minute, with D’Addario’s left-handed who splinters the outside pole to Bonello’s left. Hands in the hair for the side of the Three Flowers. San Marino is physiologically balanced in a final in search of a draw and Malta is dangerous with Mbong, exploiting that Fabbri’s slip to free a conclusion from the heart of the area that Benedettini defuses. The San Marino extreme is then reactive in denying Camenzuli the Olympic goal. The parade of the match Benedettini places it in the 72nd minute, rejecting Teuma’s header with a sure blow – who reaches the edge of the small area, crushing on the near post. Monumental response, which keeps San Marino in the game. He does not even have to intervene, five minutes later, on Teuma’s big left-footed volley. San Marino returns to the Maltese area after the second double change: Zafferani, newly entered like Hirsch, serves Fabbri who crosses from the bottom. Bonello is attentive and denies Rinaldi easy support on the net. The red and white of the house reply with an action spoiled by at least two fortuitous deviations and dilapidated by Montebello. All alone in the area, Mangia’s attacker hits dirty with his right. Long teams in a finale that promises to move the score, one way or the other. At 84 ‘it is San Marino who dances, with Mbong’s initiative who jumps through a Rossi tunnel and is slowed down in the croner by the providential exit of Benedettini. The goalkeeper registered with Cesena is also exalted in the 88th minute, deflecting the left to turn around by Degabriele – shot from the edge of the area. At the beginning of the four minutes of recovery, Fabbri landslide and suffers cramps after a winning advance on the edge of the area. The Titans face the four minutes of extra-time outnumbered, in which they build a sensational opportunity to score when the end of the game. Nanni runs deep and recycles for Rinaldi, in turn to arm Vitaioli’s left foot that doesn’t hit the door. With another system for not having found a goal that, again tonight, was definitely within reach – like the draw that would ensue.
UEFA Nations League, 4th matchday | Malta 1-0 San Marino
MALTA [3-4-1-2]
Bonello; Apap (from 78 ‘J. Borg), Pepe, Z. Muscat; J. Mbong, Guillaumier, Paiber (from 78 ‘Vella), Camenzuli; Teuma; Gambin (from 71 ‘Degabriele), Montebello (from’ 87 ‘Satarian)
Available: Formosa, Galea, Magri, S. Borg, N. Muscat, Corbalan, Busuttil, Micallef
Coach: Devis Mangia
SAN MARINO [3-5-1-1]
E. Benedettini; Blacksmiths, Rossi, Palazzi; D’Addario (from 78 ‘Zafferani), Lunadei (from’ 85 ‘Vitaioli), Mi. Battistini, D. Tomassini (from 60 ‘Mularoni), Grandoni (from 60’ Rinaldi); Ceccaroli (from 78 ‘Hirsch); Nanni
Available: A. Simoncini, S. Benedettini, Cevoli, E. Golinucci, F. Tomassini, Censoni, Cesarini
Coach: Fabrizio Costantini
Referee: Dennis Higles (NED)
Assistants: Erwin Zeinstra (NED) and Mario Diks (NED)
Fourth Official: Sander Van der Eijk (NED)
Var: Jeroen Manschot (NED)
AVAR: Allard Lindhout (NED)
Scorers: 50 ‘Z. Muscat
Booked: Lunadei, Mi. Battistini, Rossi
Note: 2646 spectators.
FSGC | Press office