Balzan regained the top spot in the BOV Premier League as they overcame the challenge posed by Floriana, beating them 2-0 at the National Stadium on Sunday. A win which puts Oliver Spiteri’s side once again one point ahead of Hibernians and four ahead of Valletta.
The Greens, on the other hand, now lie no less than seven points behind third-placed Valletta. This was in fact, the third defeat in seven matches for Giovanni Tedesco’s side.
Floriana had four changes from the team which was held by St. Andrews last week as Enrico Pepe, Clyde Borg, Alex Cini and Mario Fontanella replaced Antonio Monticelli, Andre Scicluna, Ryan Camenzuli and the suspended Steve Pisani. On the other hand, Ivan Janjusevic was back in goal for Balzan, replacing Christian Cassar, while Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Dylan Grima and Ryan Fenech replaced Samir Arab, Alfred Effiong and the suspended Clive Brincat.
Balzan managed to take the lead on the 11th minute when off a Ryan Fenech freekick from the right, Elkin Serrano Valero headed the ball home from close range.
On the 33rd minute, Balzan doubled the score thanks to Anderson de Barros whose diagonal shot from the right gave goalkeeper Matthew Grech no chance.
FLORIANA Matthew Grech, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Clyde Borg (78′ Zack Camilleri), Ignacio Varela, Maurizio Vella (39′ Ryan Camenzuli), Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini, Amadou Samb (46′ Andre Scicluna), Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fontanella.
Subs not used: Justin Haber, Mattia Zarb, Jamie Delia, Loumar Cutajar.
Coach: Giovanni TedescoBALZAN Ivan Janjusevic, Dylan Grima (87′ Lydon Micallef), Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Bojan Kaljevic, Ryan Fenech, Steve Bezzina, Alan da Silva Souza (78′ Justin Grioli), Matteo Piciollo (63′ Alfred Effiong), Elkin Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Anderson de Barros.
Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Samir Arab, Terence Agius, Sean Cipriott.
Coach: Oliver SpiteriReferee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Paul Apap
Additional Assistant Referees: Fyodor Zammit, Matthew De Gabriele
Fourth Official: Peter Abela
Yellow Cards: Alan, Piciollo, Varela
BOV Player of the Match: Alan da Silva Souza