The final of the Cantons Cup is the most awaited moment of Montecavolo’s summer, and if you take into account the fact that the twentieth edition is being played, public success is guaranteed.
On the pitch, Rodano, the team east of Modolena, who have always produced quality football, solid defense and enviable ball turnover, competed against each other. On the other, Cerro, the team from the Montecavolo hills, with a team full of brothers and promising young players.
Rodano hasn’t won the Cup since 2013, Cerro since 2011. In short, there is a great desire to lift it. The final is refereed by Tirelli. They don’t have time to spend five minutes and Filippo Grossi surprises the Rhone goalkeeper with a powerful shot from outside the area. Rhône is shaken and struggles to get into the game. Martignoni and Rinaldi try to increase the pace, but waste two great opportunities in front of the goalkeeper. And in the minute of injury time of the first half, the yellow-blues doubled their lead: free kick from a tight angle by Macrillò, rebound by Braglia and tap-in by Andrea Martini.
The second half is full of assault. In fact, the Modolena boys try everything to overturn the outcome of the match. Rinaldi’s free kick from long range, Fioravanti uncertain on the way out and Torri doesn’t have to be asked twice; headbutt and disadvantage halved. The public is delirious, they want extra time. Filippo Grossi is not of the same opinion and hits the crossbar with a free kick ten minutes from the end. But shortly after the decisive episode. Cross into the area and Andrea Farinelli reaches out hitting the ball with his hand, perhaps unbalanced by an opponent. For the referee there is no doubt: Iori scores 2-2 from the spot. Extra time is needed.
In the ten minutes that follow there are few emotions, only a shot by Filippo Grossi blocked by Braglia. What hasn’t been decided in 70 minutes will be determined by penalties. No errors, until Cerro’s eleventh penalty. Goalkeeper Fioravanti is hypnotized by Rhone’s number one and Melioli can close it, but he makes a mistake. He moves forward. So far ahead that we start again with the penalty takers. Up to Martignoni. Fioravanti remains standing and blocks the spot kick. Cerro is champion, the sky is yellow and blue above Montecavolo.
