Balzan failed to win for the second consecutive week. Following an indifferent first half and despite suffering a goal, after the interval Balzan fought back to level matters and created enough chances that could have even won them the match against Floriana.
With the absence of their coach Marko Micovic, who was suspended, Ludvic Bartolo guided the team that made four changes from their last game against Valletta. Suspended midfielders Uros Ljubomirac and Milos Lepovic were replaced with Ryan Fenech and Alfred Effiong while Ivan Janjusevic and Bruno Gilio De Oliveira were preferred to Sean Mintoff and Michael Johnson.
On the other hand Floriana played with the same team which played their last game against Hamrun Spartans.
With the strong wind in their favour, in the first half, Floriana came out searching for an early goal while at the other end Balzan were disorientated and constrained to defend.
Floriana created the first chance of the match on the 15th minute. Ivan Janjusevic made his first save over a shot from a direct free-kick by Artur Oyama.
A minute later, Ivan Janjusevic denied Sebastian Nayar when he tipped into a corner his shot from distance.
Balzan responded on the 19th minute. Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes received the ball inside the penalty area and sent a shot that finished over the crossbar.
Floriana took the lead on the 35th minute. Sebastian Nayar sent an excellent ball towards MARIO FONTANELLA who made his way into the box, dribbled past two defenders and finished home with a low shot that gave Janjusevic no chance.
In the additional time of the first half, a shot from a direct free-kick Juninho Cabral failed to find the target.
With the wind now in their favour, in the second half, Balzan came out on the attack and went close to equalise on the 47th minute. Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes delivered a cross towards Alfred Effiong whose shot forced a good save from Ini Etim Akpan.
Balzan insisted and in the 57th minute, Alfred Effiong dribbled his way into the Floriana area but his low drive was again blocked by the Apkan.
Balzan managed to level matters in the 59th minute when Alfred Effiong set CARLOS EDUARDO DE FIORI MENDES who managed to beat the offside trap and hitting a fierce shot home.
Balzan played with more ambition and confidence in their search for the winning goal. They had a good chance when Alfred Effiong connected a long ball and finished with a powerful low diagonal shot that narrowly missed the target.
In the 78th minutes, following a cross by Alfred Effiong, Bojan Kaljevic’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Enzo Ruiz.
Floriana created the last chance of the game, when Mario Fontanella hit wide when he connected a cross by Juniho Cabral.
BALZAN : Ivan Janjusevic, Steve Bezzina, Alfred Effiong, Ryan Fenech (Justin Grioli 46’), Bruno Giglio De Oliveira, Ivan Bozovic (Siraj Eddin Arab 79’), Bojan Kaljevic, Paul Fenech, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes.
FLORIANA: Ini Etim Akpan, Sebastian Nayar, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz (Jurgen Pisani 84’), Steve Pisani, Juninho Cabral, Alex Cini, Arthur Henrique Oyama, Dylan Grima, Mario Fontanella, Emerson Marcelina.
Referee: Matthew Degabriele
BOV Player of the Match: Alfred Effiong