Balzan 4
Piccioni 23, 65; Micallef 50; Guerrero 84;
Zebbug Rangers 2
Britto 4, 51;

Oliver Spiteri’s men came out on top in a topsy-turvy match to down Żebbuġ Rangers 4-2 in a lively match in Ħamrun, last night.

This was a tale of fluctuating fortunes not only for the two teams but also for foreigners, Mauricio Britto, the Żebbuġ striker, and Gianmarco Piccioni, the stocky Balzan forward.

Britto looked as though he was going to dominate the headlines after scoring twice but things went wrong for the Brazilian after his second goal as Piccioni and Oscar Guerrero were on the mark for Balzan to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The initial formations featured a host of new players.

Veteran forward Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Piccioni and former Vittoriosa striker Guerrero were among six newcomers in Spiteri’s selection.

Rangers coach Jesmond Zammit had three new foreigners in his first XI, namely Javi Diaz, Carlo Monti and Mathias Muchiardi, the Argentine midfielder who turned out for Sliema Wanderers last season.

True to his attacking principles, Spiteri opted for a three-pronged attack – Mifsud Triganza, Piccioni and Lydon Micallef – with Guerrero roaming behind.

Mindful of their opponents’ flair upfront, Zammit thought of tackling the match with equal weaponry with Britto, in prolific form last term, the attacking spearhead of Rangers’ fluid 3-1-4-2 formation with Monti and Muchiardi granted freedom to probe for openings.

Żebbuġ had a bright start, although the Premier League newcomers would not have expected to be handed the lead after just four minutes.

Balzan newly-signed goalkeeper Christian Cassar came sliding out of his area to cut a long through ball only to miss his target and allowing Britto a clear shot at goal.

Seven minutes later, Mifsud Triganza fumbled a glorious chance to equalise. Pouncing on a bad clearance and with only Jeffrey Farrugia to beat, he shot straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

On 23 minutes, Żebbuġ were caught napping as Osa Guobadia’s ball put Piccioni through to beat Farrugia from close range.

Past the half hour mark, Farrugia confidently dealt with a rising shot by Edison Bilbao Zarate as Balzan maintained a stranglehold on the game.

The first half ended 1-1 but Balzan moved ahead five minutes into the second half.

Micallef was played in by a ball from Guerrero. The pass flicked off Piccioni’s heel and landed at the feet of Micallef who poked home.

In their next foray into Balzan’s half , Żebbuġ levelled. Diaz released Britto who took one touch before arrowing his shot past Cassar.

A frenetic opening showed no sign of abating as both teams displayed a refreshingly attacking mindset.

Ratko Mandic almost committed an own goal when he miscued his clearance from Piccioni’s effort but the defender was relieved to see the ball coming off the bar.

There was no reprieve, however, on 65 minutes as Balzan regained the lead. Mifsud Triganza’s lofted pass into the box landed at the feet of Piccioni who hit a rising shot behind Farrugia.

Five minutes from time, Balzan secured the points when substitute Ryan Darmanin found Piccioni in the box and he unleashed a rising shot that crashed against the underside of the bar before dropping at the feet of Guerrero for the easiest of tap-ins.

Balzan
C. Cassar-5, J. Grioli-6, S. Bezzina-6, E. Serrano-6, E. Bilbao Zarate-7, O. Guobadia-6, L. Sciberras-6, L. Micallef-6.5 (70 M. Borg-5.5), O. Guerrero-7.5, J. Mifsud Triganza-6 (81 R. Darmanin) G. Piccioni-7 (89 J. Corbalan).

Żebbuġ Rangers
J. Farrugia-5, Y. Camilleri-5, J. Diaz-6 (83 A. Ribeiro), R. Mandic-5.5, M. Gauci-6 (83 L. Agius), J. Borg-5, T. Paris-6 (62 M. Ciantar-4), C. Gauci-5, M. Muchardi-6, C. Monti-6, M. Britto-6.5.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Gauci; Grioli; Guobadia; Diaz.

BOV player of the match: Edison Bilbao Zarate (Balzan).

Playing today
National Stadium: 18.30 Qormi vs Naxxar; 20.30 Mosta vs Valletta.

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