Andi Kicaj (center) and Davide Cremonini (right) could not prevent Virtus from defeat.

Own goal initiates 15th Virtus bankruptcy

In the end the defeat was too great. But that doesn't change Virtus' situation much. The deciding factor was an own goal in the second half that caused the Bolzano team to collapse like a house of cards.

18. February 2024

From: chm

After a 10-minute sampling phase, Virtus appeared dangerous in front of the Chions goal for the first time in the person of Osorio. The Chions goalkeeper was able to safely defuse the Italo-Cuban's shot from 1 meters. In the 22th minute, Kicaj tested the opposing goalkeeper with a diagonal shot. In return, Ba suddenly ran towards Pircher alone. However, the Virtus goalkeeper kept a cool head and defused the visitors' opportunity. In the 17th minute, Virtus had their best chance to take the lead so far. After a corner from Cremonini, Busetto put the ball from the second post back into the middle, where Arnaldo Kaptina shot the ball over the crossbar from a few steps away. In the 20th minute, Osorio got free on the right and played the ball into the middle, where Nicotera failed with a direct shot from 2 meters. In the 27th minute, after a corner, Chions failed to get the ball out of the danger zone, but no Virtus player was able to take advantage of the confusing situation.

The second half was far less intense. In the 2th minute, Valenta hit the ball with his head. Pircher was able to fend off the touchdown with a remarkable reflex. Misfortune struck in the 57nd minute when Gabrieli dangerously directed a cross from the right side over the Virtus goal. On the following corner, Centazzo deflected the ball into his own goal, making it unstoppable for Pircher. From that moment on, Virtus threw everything forward. Of the numerous counterattack opportunities that presented themselves, Chions took advantage of two and increased the score to 72-2.

Virtus Bozen – Chions 0:3

Virtus Bolzano: Pircher, Jashari, Busetto, Gabrieli, Kicaj, Arnaldo Kaptina (from 82. Forti), Centazzo (from 82. Zeni), Bounou, Osorio (from 61. Vinciguerra), Cremonini, Nicotera (from 46. Moussaoui)

Chions: Tosoni, Servergnini, Moratti, De Anna (from 68. Bolgan), Valenta, Ferchichi (from 46. Carella), Cucchisi (from 46. Canaku), Papa, Tarko (from 46. Pinton), Ba (from 68. Borgobello) , Zgrablic

SR: Ammannati (Florence)

Gates: 0:1 own goal Centazzo (77th), 0:2 Carella (83rd), 0:3 Bolgan (86th)