Galatasaray 0-1 Napoli

 A big upset today at Ambrit Stadium, with Napoli pulling off a surprise win over an unbeaten Galatasaray and, in all probability, assuring themselves of an unexpected SF place. Leopoldo rescued his team early on with a breath-taking triple save and Galatasaray continued to apply the pressure. Early in the second ghalf, Lorenzo shot wide and then Claudio too. The goal came late on: Rex was too casual with a clearance and Steve took full advantage - racing through to score the winner!

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Simon 4, Giovanni Z 3, Claudio 3, Luca Tommaso 2, Nicolas 2, Steve 2, Gabriel T 1, Leopoldo 1, Diego A 1, Lorenzo G 1, Ryan 1

Man City 0-5 Dortmund 5

 Today's result was never in much doubt. Dortmund banged in 5 goals, one better then the next and two absolute jewels. Carlo made it 1-0 in the first period, sweeping a low shot past Martti in goal and Maverick scored a beautiful second in period 2, rising majestically to plant a perfect header into the back of the net. Federico should have made it 3-0 but he blasted over.

In period 3, Federico shot wide to the left but Daniele scored from way out on the touchline before Federico did finally get his name on the scoresheet. But Antonio kept the best goal of the game for us right until the end. From a cross on the right, he smashed an acrobatic scissors kick over his left shoulder and past a bewildered Gabriele. If you want to see exactly what it was like, here is a link!

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Daniele 5, Federico 4, Francesco 3, Antonio C 3, Maverick 2, Carlo 2, Jacopo 1, Adrian 1, Erik 1

Atletico 2-3 Galatasaray

 With captain and talisman Giovanni sidelined for disciplinary reason - and Antonio F too - it looked like Atletico might be able to take advantage but Galatasaray started strongly again. A nice move down the left involving Gabriele and Lorenzo set Claudio up but his shot was just wide. Claudio did score minutes later though with a free kick from distance, but Max equalised almost immediately when he pounced on a loose back pass and shot to the corner. Galatasaray took the lead again - Edoardo scoring off a Claudio assist - but Kevin equalised with a beautiful goal, struck cleanly into the top corner. Kevin's celebrations earned him a second yellow and he was barely off the pitch before Claudio shot from afar to capture the lead for the third, last and decisive time.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Claudio 5, Kevin 3, Edoardo 2, Lorenzo G 2, Lorenzo I 2, Adriano 2, Max 2, Gabriele T 1, Martino 1, Samuel 1

PSV 2-2 Napoli

 Napoli's recent run of form continued today and they came away with another valuable point. They started quickly and Diego A put them ahead after 5'. Vittorio came closest for PSV in this first period with a clever back heel that almost went in, but Diego I added a second for Napoli before the break, with a trademark thunderbolt from outside the area. 

PSV woke up in period 2. Ashton set up Lucas for an unmissable shot at the far post... but Lucas missed! Rocco stepped up soon after and his determination had his team level at the end of period 2, a doppietta from RR. No change to the scoreline in period 3. Rocco had the ball in the back of the net but th3 whistle had already blown for a Vittorio push on Luca.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Rocco 6, Diego A 3, Ashton 3, Diego I 2, Josh 2, Giovanni M 2, Luca 1, Vittorio 1, Steve 1

Dortmund 2-0 Atletico

 No goals in period 1. Lorenzo I tested Martti and Daniele tested Sam but both goalkeepers saved well. In period 2, Antonio C put his team ahead with a penalty awarded for a push and Federico made the three points safe with an accurate strike from 15m out.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Daniele 5, Antonio C 3, Federico 3, Lorenzo I 2, Carlo 1, Sam 1, Martti 1, Martino 1, Adriano 1, Kevin 1, Max 1, Madison 1

Napoli 3-1 Man City

 Il Napoli vive!! After a run of defeats, Nicholas's team rediscovered some form today and, to the delight of a packed Ambrit Stadium, ran out 3-1 winners over City with a fine team display. Aron was solid in goal and started early, saving well from James. Napoli took the lead when Matteo's well-struck corner was met by Luca, who headed it confidently into the back of the net. Diego A almost doubled the lead shortly afterwards; he shot from an incredibly tight angle and was unlucky to see the ball come back off the inside of the post. At the other end, Jacopo made space for a shot but Simon made a great intervention to block the ball. Napoli came out quickly for the second period and Diego A sent in Steve for an early shot. City nearly equalised when Aron was content to let Jacopo's shot hit the post but, 2' later, Steve crowned an excellent performance with an excellent goal, flicking the ball nonchalently past the goalkeeper. As the third period began, the crowd was waiting for City's reaction and it came when they were awarded a penalty. Gabriele converted and now City attacked with even more intent. But Aron was equal to everything and it was Napoli who scored again, Matteo N's free kick found Leopoldo in space and he shot calmly into the bottom corner.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Steve 4, Diego A 4, Luca 4, Aron 2, Gabriele F 2, Simon 1, Matteo N 1, Jacopo 1, Leopoldo 1, Lorenzo L 1, Matteo N 1 

Galatasaray 5-3 PSV

 Una partita dai due volti, condotta magistralmente dal Galatasaray nel primo tempo - terminato sul punteggio di 4-0 - e una ripresa in cui il PSV ha cercato la clamorosa rimonta, fallita di un soffio: sul punteggio di 4-3, infatti, Giovanni ha infranto i sogni degli Olandesi e allo scadere ha firmato il definitivo 5-3.

La partita si era aperta con lo show dei Turchi, in gol con Antonio, poi con una doppietta dello scatenato Claudio, e con il sigillo del capitano Giovanni. 

Il secondo tempo, tuttavia, si è aperto con il gol di Rocco e - quasi immediatamente - un altro gol di Vittorio. Il Galatasaray ha vacillato, e Rocco è riuscito di nuovo ad approfittarne, portando i suoi sul 4-3. A una manciata di secondi dalla fine la partita era ancora aperta, ma il colpo di scena non c'è stato e Giovanni ha confermato i tre punti con la rete finale.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Giovanni Z 4, Antonio 4, Rocco 4, Claudio 3,  Vittorio 1, Ashton 1, Giovanni V 1, Rex 1,

Galatasaray 4-1 Man City

 On paper, this was an exciting fixture and, in reality, it lived up to the hype. Galatasaray started with energy and menace and, before long, they were 1-0 up. In a move that started with Zain and then flowed through Claudio and Lorenzo G, Giovanni Z was on hand to smash home an unstoppable shot. Minutes later, Claudio took advantage of Matteo's unfortunate slip to steal the ball and crash home a second. City were down... but not out! A long ball from Gabriele F was headed on by Jacopo and Antoine did very well to control the ball and shoot past Gabriele T: 2-1! Lorenzo G almost made it 3-1 just before the break but Gabriele F made an excellent save.

In the second period, Lorenzo G tested Gabriele F twice more: first from a free kick and then from the rebound. Gabriele saved both and then looked on gratefully as Edoardo fired the ball over the bar. Claudio shot well too but, again, Gabriele F saved.

Gabriele F came out for period 3 and almost scored immediately but his shot was just too high. Claudio supplied the assist for the Turks' killer third goal, finished off by an in-form Lorenzo G. Jacopo was unlucky not to narrow the gap with a great header that was well-saved by Rex, and Claudio finished off proceedings with a fourth goal, struck from way out on the wing but with enough force to cross the line without needing a touch from Gabriele T! 

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Claudio 3, Lorenzo G 3, Giovanni Z 3, Gabriele F 3, Jacopo 2, Antoine 2, Antonio F 1, Giovanni V 1, Gabriele T 1, Zain 1, Rex 1

Borussia Dortmund 4-0 Napoli

 This Napoli is a pale shadow of the Napoli that won the Serie A title last season, ample demonstration that the Intramural is a much tougher competition to win. Dortmund were dominant throughout today and Captain Dani provided the assist for goal number 1, finished off from a tight angle by Maverick - a player who is looking more and more dangerous with each passing game. Daniele himself added a second with a well-judged lob from midfield and Maverick turned up to force home a third goal in a goalmouth scramble following a corner. In all this, Napoli were not inactive. Steve and Diego battled gamely but shots on goal were rare. Diego was unlucky with a header from a corner - just over - and Steve tested the goalkeeper twice but both shots were too central. Leopoldo went into goal for the last period and saved well from Daniele but he could do nothing about Dortmund's last goal. Carlo's pass to Antonio was probably the best pass of the game and Antonio buried it convincingly in the back of the net.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Daniele 4, Diego I 3, Maverick 3, Erik 2, Antonio C 2, Steve 2, Diego A 2, Dylan 1, Matteo N 1, Sam 1, Carlo 1 

PSV 1-2 B. Dortmund

 A pulsating clash unfolded at Ambrit Stadium today, pitting PSV Eindhoven against the formidable Borussia Dortmund.

In a whirlwind of end-to-end action, the indomitable Vittorio emerged as a formidable obstacle for PSV, gallantly thwarting the relentless assaults launched by Maverick and Federico while Rocco and Ashton pressed at the other end countered by the resilient defence of Adrian, Erik, Sam, and the custodian Martti for the German side. The turning point arrived under controversial circumstances, with Rocco winning a penalty amid debate, following a slight brush against Sam's chest in the box. The tension was soon mirrored on the scoreboard, as a throw-in seemed to take a slight deflection before nestling in the net. While PSV players vehemently argued that it was a direct throw, the referee ultimately ruled an own goal against Cristian, the goalkeeper.

With the match poised on a knife's edge, the intensity reached yet another crescendo. Daniele was a tireless presence, seemingly omnipresent – blocking shots one moment, orchestrating play through midfield the next. The midfield duel between Daniele and Rocco emerged as one of the match's highlights.

As the game appeared destined for a draw, a late-game hero emerged in the form of super-sub Antonio C. His pinpoint pass from the heart of midfield sliced through the defensive line, presenting Maverick with a straightforward opportunity to tap it home, clinching a dramatic victory.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Daniele 4, Rocco 3, Vittorio 3, Federico 3, Ashton 2, Maverick 2, Adrian 1, Erik 1, Josh 1, Lucas 1, 

Man City 6-2 Atletico M

 A four-goal difference is hard to justify in a game that was evenly-fought all the way through. City's first goal was not without controversy: referee Corcoran gave a corner when Atletico's defenders were adamant that it should have been a goal kick and, when the corner came in, Jacopo rose to nod a majestic header past Freydis for 1-0. Atletico tried to get back into the game immediately and Lorenzo was unlucky: his first shot came back off the bar and his next shot went wide. City then went 2-0 up: with Jacopo creating confusion in the box, the ball fell to Antoine and he shot home. Jacopo hammered in a third just before the first break.

Lorenzo got a yellow card for a deliberate hand ball early in the second period and Kevin almost pulled a goal back nut Gabriele made an excellent save. But City were missing nothing in front of goal. Given another chance, Antoine didn't say no, lobbing the ball over Samuel for 4-0. Lorenzo continued to test Gabriele and forced two more saves from the ACLI number 1, first from a free kick and then from a shot from the right. Max also shot well but was foiled by Gabriele.

More goals followed in period 3. Lorenzo played in Max and Atletico finally got on the scoreboard. City dampened the enthusiasm immediately though when they were awarded a penalty for handball. Freddie stepped up confidently to restore the four-goal cushion. Max scored again but Francesco had the last word, floating a delicious shot high into the corner to wrap up the victory for City.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Antoine 4, Gabriele 3, Lorenzo I 3,  Francesco 3, Matteo 2, Jacopo 2, Max 2, Freddie 1, Adriano 1,

Atletico M 2-0 Napoli

 No goals in the first period, the best chance falling to Diego - but guest goalkeeper Freydis made the first of many good saves. Atletico opened the scoring in period 2: Lorenzo passed a ball down the right to Kevin and he touched it on to Max; despite the tight angle, Max managed to slide the ball home. Napoli almost equalised immediately but Lorenzo L's shot came back off the post to Nicholas. The captain shot again but Freydis saved low to her right. In the third period, Kevin shot from edge of the area; Luca Tommaso deflected the ball onto the post but, soon after, Max found Kevin with a pass in the penalty area and Kevin rifled it home.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Kevin 5, Max 4, Lorenzo I 4, Luca Tommaso 2, Lorenzo L 2, Diego 1, Adriano 1, Simon 1, Steve 1

YELLOW CARD: Ruben

PSV 2-2 Man City

 An action-packed first period saw Jacopo strike first to put Man City into the lead. But Rocco's tireless running in midfield opened up a lot of chances for PSV up front and Lucas P took advantage to slip the ball past Gabriele for an equaliser. Both sides were full of energy and ideas and City went back into the lead when Francesco forced the ball over the line. Rocco almost evened the scores again but his shot was well-saved from Gabriele. Rocco made chances for Ashton and Lucas but the score stayed at 2-1 until another pass from Rocco put Lucas in again. The g6 striker was calm and collected and scored a deserved equalising goal.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Rocco 5, Gabriele Fi 4, Lucas P 3, Jacopo 2, Alvaro 2, Francesco 2, Matteo 2, Joshua 1

Galatasaray 4-3 Dortmund

 An exciting opening match kept the capacity crowd at Ambrit stadium entertained right to the final whistle. Federico put Dortmund ahead in the first period; Daniele played a clever free-kick to him inside the area and Federico buried the ball in the back of the net. Galatasaray equalised through Claudio almost immediately but a lovely passing move for Dortmund saw Daniele release Maverick to make it 2-1.

In the second period, Giovanni almost equalised with a well-struck free-kick but Adrian made a good save. Antonio F then clattered a shot back off the post and Lorenzo was on hand to gather the rebound and dispatch it into the corner to make it 2-2. 

But the final period was decisive and belonged to the Turks. Antonio F scored - 3-2 - and then an unfortunate own-goal made it 4-2 before Antonio C continued his goalscoring vein to haul Dortmund back into the game. But time was running out and Dortmund saw their chance of a point slip by when Giovanni's awkward header bounced to safety off his own crossbar!

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Claudio 4, Federico 4, Daniele 3, Antonio C 3, Antonio F 2, Giovanni V 1, Giovanni Z 1, Sam 1, Lorenzo 1, Maverick 1