retired_deljo

29.7.09

We hardly have a break before the match against Freiburg in Germany, and as a result the side is particularly weakened by players who are unfit. Young 17 year old Mario Tricarico, a product of the youth academy, starts in midfield today, as a sign of the depletion we have in our squad. Even the players starting are not 100% fit.

Freiburg 0
Madsen sent off 21

Varese 0

Not the worst result in the world, although I would have dearly loved to score an away goal. We were under sever pressure for much of the match, as the pairing of Iashvili and Osmanovski proved an ever-present threat. Maarten Stekelenburg was magnificent in keeping out a red barrage of attacks, and prevented us from conceding an unrecoverable deficit. On our attacking side, Doukas had the best of a poor bunch of attempts, as he scuffed an attempt that really should have been taken. Kim Madsen was sent off for the hosts for a foul on Mina, and as the Dane was the last man he had to go. Freiburg really should have had a couple of penalties, but referee Martin Ingvarsson was on our side. It could be said we have the upper hand going into next week's second leg, but anything could happen. We have to hope most of my regular side can play.

Team: Stekelenburg, Gorini, Mellberg(c), Edu Dracena, Tricarico, Lewis, Doukas, Santos, Mina (C.Vieri 79, Makela 90), McPhee, Alexiou

Unfortunately, Roberto Javier Mina is out for three months with a torn groin muscle. It's a massive blow as he is a potent threat in front of goal, and is quite a fit individual. We'll definitely miss him.

1.8.09
After a few weeks of negotiations, I am proud today to announce the signing of Per Verner Ronning. A Norwegian of 38 Caps, and a former Roma player, Ronning can play almost anywhere across the pitch, mainly at home on defence. Someone with his versatility will be vital to our push for success this season, and I'm delighted to bring him aboard.

5.8.09
Freiburg will face a totally different side today than the one they drew with seven days ago in Germany. Bar Claudio Cavalcante, this is possibly the side I'll put out in the League. Per Verner Ronning starts in the midfield engine room for this crucial Intertoto Cup Second Leg.

Varese 4
Franzese 16
McPhee 22, 86
Ronning 75

Freiburg 1
Stajner 11

This evening started badly but finished perfectly. After eleven minutes Jiri Stajner crashed a twenty yard shot past Stekelenburg to score a crucial away goal for Freiburg - which meant we needed at least two. So we went and got two. First off, a fantastic flowing move of intricate passing was finished by Roberto Franzese with such aplomb that you wouldn't have guessed it was only his fifth goal from open play out of the 18 he's scored for Varese. Somone far more accustomed to scoring is Stephen McPhee, and it was the small Scot who gave us the lead six minutes later. Alexiou and Dobek failed to find space, so they gave McPhee the ball. He sold a defender down the river, and finished comfortably. The lads knew we needed a third for that comfortable feeling should Freiburg score again, but it just didn't arrive. Not for the lack of trying however. Everyone was intent on scoring, yet nobody actually did. Yet Freiburg still looked dangerous, as Stajner opened up again to test Stekelenburg. Fifteen minutes from time, we scored that crucial goal. Doukas swung in a dangerous free kick, and Ronning flung himself at the ball, getting there ahead of Renno and scoring a debut goal. McPhee capped the win as Doukas sent him through one on one, and the Scottish star does what he does best - scores. An amazing fifth was ruled out for offfside - had it stood people would have talked about it for years to come. Dobek swung the cross into space in the area. As Freiburg pushed up (successfully) Santos broke in. An astounding shake of the hips floored Renno, and the Brazilian picked up an open goal - but it was offside . Still, we're two games from the UEFA Cup!

Team: Stekelenburg, Orellana, Mellberg(c), Edu Dracena, Franzese, Ronning, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

We can face one of five sides in one of three Finals. The teams joining us are Dundee Utd, Strasbourg, Malmo, Kerkira, and Bremen/Valenciennes. With the exception of perhaps Bremen, we're stronger than everyone there.

6.8.09
As luck would have it, we draw either Werder Bremen or Valenciennes. It's do-able, but we'll have to be on top of our game......

or hope for a shock win by the French side

retired_deljo

12.8.09
Bremen finally seal their qualification to face us with a 2-0 win over Valenciennes. It's been delayed as they've also been playing in the Club World Championship - finishing third. That's a measure of the task awaiting us.

19.8.09
We travel to Bremen in great fitness. The fortnight since the win over Freiburg has allowed our squad to get to 100% match fitness. Yet we're still not playing the strongest side - Daniel Orellana is away on Argentine Under-21 duty, and Olof Mellberg is injured. Another point of note before the game - I announce the new Varese club captain. Claudio Cavalcante may be young, and only have played around twenty games for us, but he has showed the perfect attitude and skills to warrant the role. He has the respect of the squad, and has the talents to take him far. He leads us out in Bremen.

Werder Bremen 1
Ochoa 3

Varese 0

A 1-0 defeat is acceptable against a side the calibre of Bremen. An away goal would have been marvellous, but the single goal deficit is reversable back in Italy. We weren't outclassed either. We were just hit early through Mexican international Carlos Ochoa's sliding effort past Toldo. Stephen McPhee had our best attempt, as his volley hit the ground and bounced agonisingly past the far corner, as Stipe Pletikosa could only look on in vain. Werder showed enough to worry us somewhat for the return leg, mainly through veteran Brazilian hitman Guilherme. It took a number of fine saves from Toldo to keep the scoreline down. In evaluation, it was a wholly average performance on our part, but we only dropped one behind, and that is changeable, as we showed against Freiburg.

Team: Toldo, Ronning, Lewis, Legrottaglie, Franzese, Cavalcante, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

25.8.09
For the second leg at the Franco Ossola I hand Daniel Orellana the central defensive role. Previously he was on the left of three, but I feel he could blossom here, alongside Lewis and Ronning. It's pretty much the strongest side I can play, as we go in search of a place in the UEFA Cup. Everyone here knows how much it would mean to the club, and they know what it will take.

Varese 2
McPhee 61
Santos 100

Werder Bremen 0

After Extra Time, Varese win 2-1 on aggregate

It was tough - damn tough, but we've made it into the UEFA Cup!!! Bremen are a real top side, and we proved tonight we can handle and beat them. It was a constant barrage - a quick look at the match stats would tell you we had 22 attempts on goal to Bremen's three. But the Germans were being typically German - frustating, plain, boring and economical. Everything we tried just failed. Christos Alexiou was in a mood where if he didn't score then nobody would. He took every chance he could, and forced Stipe Pletikosa to make some good stops. The goal we badly needed came a minute after the hour had passed. A poor kickout by Pletikosa was snapped up by Stephen McPhee, who sent a rapier of a left foot shot crashing into the roof of the net :cool: . The next point was to score the goal which would move us ahead on aggregate, whilst being careful not to concede an away goal. In truth, Bremen never wanted to score - they came to preserve what they had. In injury time Claudio Cavalcante nearly endeared himself further to the tifosi as his header hit the crossbar. So into extra time we went, with all the momentum behind us - and the crowd to boot. Ten minutes in, and it was another Brazilian who sent the Varese ultra into raptures as he stole in unmarked to double the lead. Bremen were down, we were on top, and we played out the rest of the match to secure Varese's first trophy (hey - it may only be the Intertoto Cup, but our trophy cabinet is a little sparce ) since winning Serie C1/A back in 2005. It's also only the fourth trophy the club has ever lifted. Claudio Cavalcante accepts the Cup and lifts it infront of a wildly passionate crowd. For the first time in the history of Varese, we're in Europe! - and who knows where that could lead?

Team: Toldo, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

28.8.09
Unfortunately I am unable to be present in Paris for the UEFA Cup first round draw, as I'm finalising preparations for Sunday's Serie A opener against Sampdoria, whilst simultaneously celebrating my birthday . I receive news that we are paired with Ukraine's Chernomorets of Odessa. We have the second leg at home, which is nice

29.8.09
Olof Mellberg seriously annoyed me today. I signed him on a month to month contract based on our financial situation at the time of signing. We agreed that when the situation improved we would offer him a longer deal based on his short-term deal. Now we can offer him it, he wants more, and as he is only on a rolling contract he has decided to leave the club. That's gratitude for you. Hmph.

30.8.09
The Serie A campaign starts today with a visit from Sampdoria. I name the same side as the one which beat Bremen, as we look to open the season with a win.

Varese 3
McPhee 34
Franzese 58 pen
Santos 79

Sampdoria 3
Oliviera 28, 65, 83

I'm not too happy overall. We let three seperate leads slip, and our defending still leaves something to be desired. It started well, as Alexiou had an attempt cleared off the line by Granata. Influencial prolific Australian hitman Andreas Oliviera showed he is real Serie A quality as he finished off a nice one-two with Rabito to put the Blucerciati ahead. It wasn't a lead they were to hold long. Stephen McPhee tricked and turned his way through the crowd before slamming a shot high past Cigolini. We grew in confidence, and bar a minor worry over a penalty shout we were calm and controlled. As it turned out, it was us who were to get a penalty, as Santos' pace was too much for Granata. Franzese did the usual from the spot. However, Oliviera scoreda fine header to level the game up again. We looked to have won the game eleven minutes from time as Santos broke through the heart of Sampdoria to score for the second game running, and put us 3-2 ahead. Oliviera had the last word though, as he lunged in off a cross to complete a hat-trick and take a well deserved point. The defence needs shoring up desperately, as we really should have won.

Team: Toldo, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

after a fair old absence this should be back moving
----------------------

13.9.09
One of my resolutions for this season is to beat the sides that will finish in the top eight. Last season, we proved we can beat a majority of the clubs in Serie A, and we will only reach that next level by beating the likes of Milan, Inter, and Lazio - who we face today. Mateusz Dobek is not fully fit, so Christian Vieri is drafted in to cover, in what is an otherwise unchanged side.

Varese 2
McPhee 5
Santos 65

Lazio 1
Mihalcea 44

We may have been lucky at times, and we were certainly outplayed, but the important thing is that we came through with the win. In the very first minute we were let off the hook. Massimo Oddo stole in to put Lazio ahead. Well he would have if the officials had not have ruled it out for offside. To add insult to injury, Gabriele Husic booked Oddo for his protests, which were warranted, as he didn't look offside. It seemed as if that acted as a catalyst for us to kick on, and on just five minutes we went into the lead from the main source of goals. Stephen McPhee continues to find Serie A conditions to his liking, and it was the Scottish striker who glanced a header past Kapantsov, who had an excellent game. Lazio were then the dominant side as they went in persuit of an equaliser, as Lucas Castroman started to weave his magic. Yet anything Lazio threw forward was eventually wasted, a majority of which were by young Dutch striker Ed Kuipers. Then, as it looked like we were about to hold on to the break, Adrian Mihalcea found room at the back post to beat Toldo and level up for Mancini's men. We needed another, as Lazio continued in the same vein in the second half. We got it. Santos met McPhee's layoff perfectly and stormed through the Lazio defence, looking rather static. He composed himself before delicately lifting the ball over Kapantsov. From then on it was just a matter of holding out. Ronning and Orellana each cleared attempts off the line, and Toldo was quite inspired, as we managed to hold on to get the numbers moving in the Wins column.

Team: Toldo, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, C.Vieri, McPhee, Alexiou

15.9.09
As my final preparations are made for our visit to Odessa in the Ukraine for the UEFA Cup, Napoli chief Osvaldo Jaconi contacts me, with a bid of £2.7m for Daniel Orellana. Since this is markedly less than the £5m they offered in the summer, I politely tell Jaconi what he can do with the cash. Anyway, I'm not for selling one of my prized assets.

What it does do is sparks off my reminder to offer Orellana an improved deal. As an important member of the side both now and for the future, he deserves a deal somewhat greater than what he has. We talk on the way to the Ukraine.

17.9.09
I bring 16 year old Vito Cozzolino and Christian Anselmi to Odessa for the first leg of our clash. They won't have experienced something like the Ukraine before, and even if they don't play they'll be better for the experience. On a horrible pitch, a wet night, and a tiny stadium, we'll have to get stuck in and sacrifice any football to get the result.

Chernomorets 1
Petrenko 87

Varese 0

Absolutely horrible. Not our performance, but the experience in general. A late goal by the impressive Dmytro Petrenko gives the Ukrainians a lead, but past experiences have told me that this is far from over - and we should have the quality (and facilities) to take the second leg with some ease. Stephen McPhee was our best hope of scoring - but then again when isn't he. But overall our style of football just never got going on the bog that they called a pitch. With five minutes to go I gave the 16 year olds a runout, and they did what they could. It was in that period that Jermaine Johnson swung a free kick onto Petrenko's head, and he gave them the win. I've assured the two young lads it wasn't their fault - Cozzolino was especially gutted as it was he who lost Petrenko. Now, I'm just concerned with getting out of here ASAP, and back to the comforts of Varese, where our next match is in the rather more luxurious confines of the San Siro.

Team: Toldo, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese (Cozzolino 85), Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, C.Vieri (Anselmi 85), McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

20.9.09
Without any shadow of a doubt Milan are the most equipped side in Europe. They have fabulous quality everywhere, so we'll be firm underdogs for this clash. We must stay level for as long as we possibly can, as early goals is where we have come unstuck before. Dobek resumes up front ahead of Vieri.

Milan 4
Toni 5
Hofland 8
Blasi 59
Shevchenko 90

Varese 2
Cavalcante 28
Franzese 90 pen
Ronning sent off 44

We didn't need to concede early, yet after eight minutes the game was over. It took five minutes for Milan's crisp passing to undo us and leave Luca Toni with a simple opportunity to beat Toldo. Just three minutes later Manuele Blasi swung a deep ball onto Kevin Hofland's head, and the Dutch centre back doubled the advantage. After the initial shock, we managed to assert some sort of authority on the match and reduced the deficit just short of half an hour, as Claudio Cavalcante was on hand to finish McPhee's spilled shot. From then until the break we were comfortable in the San Siro, but things took a turn for the worse on 44 minutes. Guido Marcinkovic had already booked Per Verner Ronning, and as he brought Pirlo down there was little choice but to dismiss the Norwegian. Yet even then we were far from out of it. Until the hour mark, we were playing our best football, as our ten men started to feel comfortable. But we fell asleep, and allowed Manuele Blasi to steal in unmarked and slam the crucial third. We clearly deserved more, so when Andriy Shevchenko scored a fourth, I felt harshly done. Things were levelled out a little more seconds later, when Hofland elbowed Alexiou off the ball. Franzese did the deeds from twelve yards, but Milan inflict our first defeat of the season - and they deserved it too. Just.

Team: Toldo, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek (Tcherevchenko 44), McPhee, Alexiou

23.9.09
The Italian FA revoke the ban placed upon Per Verner Ronning. I had valid grounds for an appeal, and it has been upheld.

27.9.09
We have a good record against Napoli, and they visit today smelling blood, as we've lost our last two games without playing to our usual standards. Mateusz Dobek has a shoulder injury, so Juho Makela gets his spot, in a move that has surprised many in the media.

Varese 6
Cavalcante 4, 18, 29, 45
Alexiou 27
McPhee 58

Napoli 2
Lodesani 10
Stellone 23

What an absolutely amazing performance from Claudio Cavalcante. Words simply cannot describe the Brazilian midfielder today. He had scored seven goals for Varese prior to this afternoon, but he managed four in the first 45 here, and making another :eek: :cool: . The match started well for us, as Ronning's ball to Makela was saved by Agliardi, but Cavalcante had roamed free to tap in the 1-0. Just six minutes later and Napoli were level. Manolo Pestrin played a perfect pass to Enrico Lodesani, who scored his first goal for the Neapolitans. However, the game swung back in our favour on eighteen minutes, in much the same fashion as before. Santos broke through and had a shot saved by Agliardi, but Cavalcante had another simple chance to score from. Yet Napoli are made of strong stuff, and levelled once more five minutes later. Alvaro Recoba sent over a nice cross, from which Roberto Stellone volleyed past Toldo, who must be under pressure from the consistently good Stekelenburg by now. The pattern continued, as once more we restored a lead. Claudio Cavalcante surged past three men before clipping a beautiful goal to Christos Alexiou. The Greek headed in his first of what will hopefully become another prolific season. It didn't stop there. Barely a hundred seconds later, and the lead was 4-2. Franzese showed neat and intricate footwork to work an opening for Cavalcante. My captain arrived before the converging Agliardi and showed great composure to lift it over him and complete a first career hat-trick. By the time I was giving my half time team talk, we were 5-2 ahead. Again, Franzese gave the ball to the Brazilian, but this time it was all Cavalcante. After shifting the ball, he unleashed a swerving shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner, for what was an amazing fourth :o . As with these sort of games, only one goal arrived in the second half, as McPhee found the net with a header from Makela's cross. But the day belonged to Varese captain Claudio Cavalcante, who played what has to be called 'the perfect game'.

Team: Toldo, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Makela, McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

1.10.09
Tonight sees the first UEFA Cup match ever at the Franco Ossola. Chernomorets of Odessa hold a 1-0 lead from the Ukraine, but as I said on that horrible night, I am confident of a win in the nicer, warmer and better atmosphere here. A 6-2 win over Napoli not only confirms that, but gives us the kick needed to get going early tonight.

Varese 5
Santos 14
Franzese 44, 72 pen
Alexiou 58
McPhee 67
Franzese missed pen 3

Chernomorets 0
Sharpe sent off 3

It's frightening to think what we could have done tonight. Five was devastating enough, but as you will read, there could have been more. Just three minutes into the action saw Santos typically go through one on one. In desperation, Australian goalkeeper Chris Sharpe brought Santos down. As the last man, Gordon Zammit Tabona had no choice but to dismiss him. There we are, waiting for Roberto Franzese to slot home, when his kick was fantastically stopped by replacement Eugenio Ischenko - only his second miss ever! Five minutes later, we were denied a lead for a second time. Cavalcante teased a cross to which Alexiou converted, only he was offside. At the third time of trying, we charmed the opener. The Brazilians Cavalcante and Santos combined for the latter to beat the offside trap and the sub keeper. That was needed, but the second didn't arrive until the 44th minute. Franzese may have missed the spot kick, but he was intent on making amends. Santos' attempt was parried, and Franzese surged through to score the all-important second to put us ahead on aggregate. Shy of the hour, Orellana lofted a pass into the area, where Alexiou headed home - and this one counted. In our recent good form, Stephen McPhee has taken something of a lesser role - not the focal point that he became at the end of last season. Notwithstanding, on 67 minutes the Scot scored a wonderous goal. The loose ball fell on the edge of the area, and McPhee wrapped around it from the side, and sent a rapier of an attempt home. :cool: We were awarded another penalty five minutes later, and in an act of defiance and show of guts, Franzese kept his role as team penalty taker by successfully scoring. We had, in total, 27 attempts at the Chernomorets goal, whilst Stekelenburg was throughly unused at the other end. Another comprehensive home win, and we're making progress in Europe.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Makela, McPhee, Alexiou

2.10.09
The second round draw of the UEFA Cup presents us with Polish side Pogon. They're a half decent side, but I'd be annoyed
if we can't beat them. We have the first leg at home, so we need to make use of that.

7.10.09
Our first midweek match of the League season takes us to Cagliari. We've been in such good form that I name the same team for the third week running. Amongst the substitutes is Roberto Javier Mina, who has almost fully recovered from a torn hamstring.

Cagliari 0
Lara sent off 1
Accardi sent off 3
Parente sent off 44

Varese 4
Franzese 2 pen
McPhee 34, 45
Santos 71

Quite how Mauro Nardini motivates his Cagliari I don't know, but they threw the game away with three first half red cards, including two in the first 180 seconds :o . Referee Andrea Cvitkusic may have had a prominent part in it, but the reds can be justified. For the second straight game Santos had the opposing goalkeeper sent off. He rounded Gaston Lara, and was ready to score, when the talented Uruguayan keeper took him out. Off he went, and Franzese dispatched the penalty. From the kick off, Makela took the ball, only to be wiped out by seventeen year old Alessandro Accardi. It might have been a yellow considering the time in the match, but off he went, and Cagliari were reduced to nine men by just three minutes. On seven minutes they found some luck. Davide Adona clearly headbutted Stilianos Doukas, only the referee chose not to see this one. Cagliari had no choice but to sit back and bear the brunt of our attack. They did well until McPhee made it 2-0 ten minutes before half time, as he found plenty of time to measure an attempt to beat Poleksic. Cagliari were becoming more and more frustrated, and on 44 minutes Angelo Parente shoved Cavalcante as the referee tried to break up a dispute between the two. Down went Cavalcante, out came the red card again, and off went Parente. To rub salt in the wound, Lewis took a quick free kick which left Doukas and McPhee two on one defender. The Greek midfielder drew the defender in, squared to McPhee, and he did the rest. The second half was less enthralling, as Cagliari made it a mission to gain some respectability. Santos found the fourth goal with a rare headed effort on 71. We probably would have won 11 vs 11, but they made it too easy with their complete loss of focus. At least I was able to give twenty minutes to Mina, who returned from injury with no problems, but in this form he'll have some work to do to replace someone.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Makela (Mina 69), McPhee, Alexiou

retired_manda_lynn4094

Fun to see this story alive again!

KUTGW!

retired_tam5868

Great to see this story back :cool:.
Good luck in Serie A and Europe and one day the Torino (or maybe Juve) job will be yours...

retired_pawan

Just finished reading this post. This is awesome. Can't wait to find out how long it will take to win the Serie A. Keep up the awesome work.

retired_deljo

thanks guys - I'll do my best to keep it up

14.10.09
Christian Vieri picked up a nasty injury in training this morning. He went over on his ankle pretty badly, and it turns out he's damaged his achilles tendon - not the wisest thing to do. He wasn't playing regularly, but he's always a useful assest to have, so it's a bit of a blow.

18.10.09
Udinese come to the Franco Ossola to meet my Varese side who are in some really good form. Some of our football in recent weeks has been of the highest standard. No changes to the side.

Varese 2
Alexiou 3
Cavalcante 90

Udinese 0

Scorelines like this impress me just as much as the 5-0's of this world. Although that said, we could have easily had five today . In the second minute Christos Alexiou slammed a volley past De Sanctis, only to be called back for an infringement. He responded perfectly, by heading in a legitimate goal from Cavalcante's cross. Stephen McPhee then fell foul of the offside trap, as his nonchalent strike was the second to be ruled out. We were comfortable, except for a few Artem Kontsevoy-inspired moments for Udinese. But these attacks were few and far between in the first half, and the defence handled everything. Udinese were a little better in the second half, but Maarten Stekelenburg proved his worthiness in the side with a number of good stops. Stilianos Doukas was aiding the defence superbly, as he used his height advantage and positional sense to win aerial battles. In injury time, as it looked as if one would do, we hit the Bianconeri on the break, and Cavalcante nipped in to head in the winner and his sixth of the season - equalling his total from last year. We seem to be getting very good now, it's all a matter of how long we can maintain it.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Makela (Mina 70), McPhee, Alexiou

22.10.09
In the second round draw of the Coppa Italia, we are drawn against Napoli. It's not the worst draw, as they are one of the sides we have a good record against.

Later in the day we are to face Pogon. The Polish side aren't bad, but I'd hop to win this one, with another unchanged side, even with the return to fitness of Polish international Mateusz Dobek.

Varese 5
McPhee 31, 51, 90
Alexiou 70
Mina 90
Franzese injured 7

Pogon 1
Kosmalski 19

In a way the scoreline is quite harsh on Pogon. They didn't deserve to lose by five, but that's what happened eventually. It looked really bad for us early on, as Jacek Kosmalski stole away from his man to beat Stekelenburg. It was the first goal we've conceded in 366 minutes, and more importantly Pogon had an away goal. In truth, they were worrying me more than I'd expected, and there wasn't much urgency in our play. That said, we drew level shortly after the half hour mark with an immaculate counter attack. Stekelenburg released the ball to Lewis, who fed Ronning. He found Orellana in an advanced role, and Dobek took over. He then sent McPhee through, and he scored his tenth of the season to draw us level. However, a half time score of 1-1 was not my idea of satisfaction. The players were reminded that they are better, and that with patience but some urgency, we would get the win. Six minutes later, we had the lead. Doukas' corner was spilt by the keeper, and McPhee scored again. It was the break we needed. Twenty minutes from time, another Doukas cross found Alexiou's head, and the Greek striker made it 3-1. It was in injury time that the scoreline became harsh on the visitors. First off, McPhee carried the ball through the defence and completed his first hat-trick of the season. From the kick off, Roberto Javier Mina stole the ball off a lax defence, and scored a fabulous solo goal. He came on at half time for Makela, and impressed greatly, scoring his first Varese goal. 5-1 is enough to put us through, but it was a bit misleading.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Franzese (Dobek 7), Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Makela (Mina 45), McPhee, Alexiou

Roberto Franzese strained his thigh and is out for three weeks.