Andreini hero and villain for Tre Fiori
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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SP Tre Fiori 1-1 UE Sant Julià
Matteo Andreini made amends after conceding a first-half penalty by earning the home side a draw against their ten-man visitors.
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There is still all to play for in this UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie after SP Tre Fiori came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against ten-man UE Sant Julià in San Marino.
Muñoz dismissed
It had all looked to be going to plan for the Andorran visitors as Christian Xinos broke the deadlock from the penalty spot three minutes before half-time. They began the second period in search of another but those aspirations were downgraded on the hour when Vicente Muñoz was dismissed after leading into an aerial challenge with his elbow. Fourteen minutes later Matteo Andreini – who had conceded the earlier spot-kick – made it all-square, leaving the tie tentatively poised ahead of next week's second leg.
Andreini redemption
There had been little early-season rustiness as the game got under way at the Montecchio Stadium, Tre Fiori edging possession but Sant Julià, on the counterattack, enjoying the better chances. Clearcut opportunities were at a premium, however, until Andreini brought down Victor Moreira and Xinos converted from the spot. The Andorran titleholders stepped up a gear, but their pursuit of a second goal came grinding to a halt when Muñoz saw red. The hosts soon made the numerical advantage pay, Andreini firing in after Iván Perianes could only parry Alessio Ballanti's shot. The sides meet again in Andorra La Vella next Tuesday.