A very unfortunate night for both our JCU Men’s Soccer and Men’s 5vs5 Soccer teams who both fall to their respective rivals in the Universities of Rome Championship.

MEN’S SOCCER
JCU Men’s Soccer faces Erasmus in Campus (EIC) team in their 5th game day of the Season. After last victory, our Gladiators had to surrender to the opponents, which prevail 2-1 over JCU.

In the first half, EIC dominates the field, setting up a more intense and pressing game and giving few chances to JCU to push towards their area. A few missed goal occasions from our Gladiators, are, indeed, well-exploited by EIC which takes the lead, scoring the first goal.

A very irresponsible gesture from JCU defender Donnini, who gets a red card for arguing with the referee, leaves the team with 10 players and in a more difficult situation.

The second half reprises on 1-0 result for the opponents. JCU has its chance to tie with a won penalty kick by Lanzafame. However, EIC goalkeeper blocks Ortega‘s kick.

JCU inattention allows EIC to double the advantage, but it also marks a turning point in the game with our Gladiators starting to press more and getting more goal occasions. The ball finally centers the opponents’ goalpost thanks to Marconi who scores on a corner kick by Ortega.

Towards the end of the game, JCU player Lanzafame commits a foul and gets a red card. The game ends 2-1 for EIC and leaves a bitter pill to our Gladiators who will be able to perform a come back in the next game! No doubts about it!

MVP – Giacomo Palattella

MEN’S 5vs5 SOCCER
JCU Men’s 5vs5 Soccer team also loses their 3rd game day of the Season against Polo Didattico Bambin Gesù (PDG). The opponents prevail over our Gladiators, 6-1.

In the first half, JCU keeps the game on the field. Different goal occasions from both teams show a balanced game, but in the end, PDG is able to gain the upper hand scoring the first goal and closing the first half 1-0.

In the second half, JCU commits more mistakes in defence and allows the opposing team to score one goal after the other. JCU tries to perform a come back thanks to Javadian‘s goal, but it is not enough to make up for the score advantage.

“We didn’t play badly, and we were also able to create various goal occasions during the game, but we never finalized them, and that got us frustrated. We let the guard down, and the opponents scored,” coach Franceschi commented. ” We have made some improvements so far, but for one reason or another, we never get to the game in the perfect shape, and we lose.”

C’mon Gladiators! Don’t give up and keep working hard!

MVP – Pasquale Perrotta