On 26 January 2016 the great Gray Bear challenged Milan in an impossible Italian Cup semi-final. The whole of Italy experienced the miracle Alexandriabut no one 10 years later one could imagine that the same club, the same Gray shirt, avwould have won an Italian Cup, albeit by another category: Alessandria wins the Cup of Excellence Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta, at the end of an incredible finalauthentic proof of manifest superiority of the mandrogni on the Wedge Elm.
Once again the guys from Alberto Merlo they showed incredible strength in all departments: apart from an apnea-like start to the second half, the Grays controlled the match against the club second in the league table, who tried as best he could to counter the Alexandrian impetus. The Grays thus reach Pietra Ligure and Solbiatese in the first round of the national cup phase Italia: a trophy that Alessandria can aim for with conviction.
An eternal challenge between the two clubs that most enchanted in group B of Piedmontese Excellence: Alessandria and Cuneo Olmo against again for the third time of the season, after the double 1-0 that smiled on the Grays in the championship. Alberto Merlo and Danilo Bianco do not change their nature: classic form both for Alessandria and for Cuneo, with the 3-5-2 of the Greysorphans of Picone and with Piana and Cociobano initially on the bench, replaced by Camara in defense, Nani on the left lane and Cargiolli in attack to team up with Diop. 4-3-1-2 for Cuneo, with all the starters on the pitch and Gyhouse initially on the bench, with the former Centallo coach choosing Caristo and Regolanti up front. Nacci chosen as playmaker, in three-quarters he goes Ghibaudo.
GRAY DOMINATION
Lots and lots up for grabs on the evening in Vercelli: in una location exceptional for the last act of the Cup, at the Piola Alessandria and Cuneo stadium they compete to lift the trophy of the highest Piedmontese and Aosta Valley regional category. However, the emotions are lacking, or rather they are emotions that could be appreciated mostly by lovers of tactics: a long phase of study that brings with it few emotions, if not some sporadic solo descents by some singles. The first to make themselves heard from the goalkeeper’s side are the Greys, in red “away” kit for the occasion: first ring in the 14th minute, with a lively Vanegas in the middle of the field that He takes the ball, advances and shoots just over the top. Two minutes later it is instead Morganti to sting, collecting a cross from the left in the heart of the area, control and shot however blocked by the defence. Alessandria is finding plenty of space on the left with Nani, Vanegas and Morganticon Bernardi forced to work overtime and a lot of effort to contain the attacks of the Greys. Caristo and Regolanti try to keep the center of gravity high, but at exactly half an hour Alessandria takes the lead with the usual, eternal and inevitable Diop. candlescaught a bluera, cross inside that draws Cargiolliperfect defense of the ball and clearance for Modou Diop who volleys forcefully under the crossbar. Race under the stands, full of Grays fans: Alessandria is ahead.
Alessandria travels at an unstoppable pace, Cuneo is in apnea: with discreet ease the Grays control the pace of the match without particular suffering. In the 37th minute Merlo’s team came close to doubling their lead from a corner, finding the net Diop at the near post that anticipates everyone but sends nothing wide with Knights immobile. Cuneo is unable to react: Alessandria gives the impression of being able to accelerate at any moment and extend the lead, which in fact happens in full injury time.he first half, demonstrating the dominance of this team: trip of Morganti left, ball inside for Pellegrini who anticipates Rizzo in the split, Cavalieri recovers with a sensational shot, saves on the line but can do nothing on the tap in di Cargiolliwho scored the deserved 2-0 for the Grays. Final already on ice after 45′: Alessandria is dominating.
SECOND HALF
The match now seems destined for a Grigio solo, but the match is more alive than ever. In fact, with the first good move of the second half, Cuneo earned a penalty in the 2nd minute, with a handball in the scrum seen by the referee, who did not hesitate to point to the spot. Some timid protests, but little changes: Nacci appears from 11 meters and displaces Menino, incredibly reopening the match. Cuneo seems like a different team: the start of the second half lights up Bianco’s men, who put Merlo’s men in enormous difficulty. In the 5th minute, a lethal restart led by Gyimahwho entered the game very well and was immediately dangerous in speed, arrived at the attacking midfield and unloaded to the left for Caristowho opens the compass with his right to send it to the corner, but finds the gloves of Boy who opposes. The match is now balanced: Alessandria tries to give themselves a boost with a shot on target Pellegrini who finds the parade of Knightsshortly afterwards Camara unleashes himself on the counterattack, resisting Angeli’s hold, passing through Cargiolliball in for Diop who controls and crosses, finding the super save of Knights of foot.
Crazy game at Piola: continuous reversals in front follow one another, with Cuneo dragged by a Gyimah particularly in a state of grace, good at serving Rizzo overlapping on the right, in a shot that ends up deflected and just over. A match destined to still provide many, many emotions, especially with two such strong teams on the pitch. On a free kick from 25 meters from the Alessandria bank, comes the other turning point in the challenge: Cirio kicks a blocked shot, Nicco’s shot is blocked again, the ball goes to Morganti who takes aim, opens his viewfinder and sends an authentic billiard shot to the corner from the edge. The race of the captain of the Rapp Under 19 Italian champion is a unique celebration: joy under the fans, collective embrace and Alessandria again ahead by two goals.
The match seems to be finally settling down: Cuneo tries, but the energy is less and less, although Alessandria runs some risks. Nani is found forced to stop Gyimah launched to the net on the left (only yellow for the 29 of the Greys), shortly afterwards instead Scott from a corner he almost made it 3-2 with a header. However, the time is now ripe: after 4 minutes of injury time Alessandria can celebrate: the Italian Cup of Excellence belongs to the Greys.
ALESSANDRIA-CUNEO OLMO 3-1
RARE (2-0, 2-1, 3-1): 30′ Diop (A), 46′ Cargiolli (A), 2′ st pen. Nacci (C), 23′ st Morganti (A).
ALEXANDRIA (3-5-2): Menino, Morganti (49′ st Cociobanu), Tos, Nicco, Diop (42′ st Piana), Pellegrini, Cargiolli (26′ st Ventre), Cirio, Vanegas, Camara Papa, Nani (38′ st Cesaretti). Available Colla, Cociobanu, Laureana, Piana, Straneo, Boveri, Costanzo. All. Merlo. Dir. Rossini – Straneo.
ELM WEDGE (4-3-1-2): Cavalieri, Bernardi (1′ st Gyimah), Nacci (36′ st Magnaldi D.), Galfrè (24′ st Benso), Caristo, Regolanti, Giraudo F., Ghibaudo (1′ st Orlando), Scotto, Rizzo, Angeli (31′ st Rastrelli P.). Available Aime Gia., White, Sadrija, Tall. All. White. Dir. Pantaleo.
REFEREE: Mollea of Turin.
COLLABORATORS: Hosni of Turin and Lefosse of Turin.
WARNINGS: 27′ Vanegas[07] (A), 41′ Cirio (A), 16′ st Galfrè (C), 34′ st Nani (A).
