Alcione will line up in their expected 4-3-1-2, with a narrow midfield three designed to control the centre of the park. The trequartista in the hole is the key man — he’ll drift between the lines and try to link play with the two strikers. They’ll look to build through the thirds, but they’ll also be wary of Renate’s wide players in the 4-4-2, who will look to stretch the play and create overloads out wide.

Renate’s 4-4-2 is all about discipline. Two banks of four, narrow when defending, quick to close down in midfield. They’ll look to funnel Alcione into wide areas, where they’re less dangerous, and then spring forward through the channels. The second ball is where they’ll win this — their strikers are physical, and they’ll feed off knockdowns and loose balls. Set-pieces are another weapon; they’ve got height in the box, and they’ll fancy their chances from dead-ball situations.

The midfield battle is the heart of this. Alcione’s three against Renate’s two gives them numerical superiority, but Renate’s wide midfielders will tuck in to make it a four-on-three at times. It’s a chess match, and the team that blinks first loses. Expect a lot of fouls, a lot of stoppages, and very little space to play through. This is a game that could easily be decided by a single moment of quality or a set-piece.