Division 4 Round 5 Review

Morning Guys, Well the World cup sprung back into life since the last review on here. Some great games/moments. England knocking Panama for 6 without getting out of 2nd gear, Panama forgetting how to defend. The end to Group B was mental, in space of a few minutes Spain went from going out to winning the group, we had the great Kroos winner for Germany against a Sweden side who bottled it big time. Last night we had Argentina fighting for their life against Nigeria, great goal from Messi and the unexpected winner from Rojo ensured they and Maradona can continue entertaining us for another couple of days at least. Uruguay V Portugal and France V Argentina already a great start to the next round of fixtures. 

Away to Division 4 now….

Levante continued their fine start to the season with their 4th win on the bounce away to a crestfallen Marseille side who have now failed to score in 4 consecutive games. Marseille had already been given a scare when Gignac fired against the post before Levante took the lead just before the break, Gignac turning provider dropping the ball off to Milik who smashed a shot past Bono. Marseille briefly rallied after the break but Koubek twice saved well from Antonio and Rongier before Rafinha scored with an outrageous long range effort after Milik had headed the ball back to him. On 81 Sanchez wrapped up the points after Milik had provided his 2nd assist of the game, His low shot just out the reach of Bono. Top of the table Levante bubbling along quite nicely at the minute.

Torino kept their unbeaten start to the season going with a tidy 1-0 win away from home. The first half was an end to end affair, Tevez twice found himself in good positions for Olympiakos but after firing his first chance high and wide his second was saved by Zieler. Mandanda in the away goal was just as busy saving well from Zabaleta and Fuchs. The second half was only 25 seconds in when the only goal of the game arrived, Negredo drifted wide and curled in a fantastic ball into the box which Gomez strolled on to and curled the ball into the top corner. That’s as good as it got in terms of any quality action as Torino shut up shop and were in no mood to surrender the points. 

Fc Basel climbed to 3rd after inflicting Espanyol’s 2nd successive defeat. The Swiss side bossed the opening period and found themselves 1 up after 16 minutes, Kalou caused problems for the Espanyol defence and flicked the ball out to Jorgensen who hit an early shot past Handanovic. Aspas created the 2nd after 38 minutes with a sweeping 40 yard pass over the static defense for Susaeta to drill a shot first time past the despairing Handanovic who despite getting a hand to it was helpless to stop it. Espanyol 2-0 behind at HT for 2nd game running. Alcacer had halved the deficit just after the break, Lima provided a fantastic ball which left Alcacer with just the keeper to beat and he did that confidently, Sirigu left with little chance. Despite the goal it was Basel who continued to threaten and Natcho allowed his frustrations get the better of him launching into a two footed lunge which took Lima clean off his feet. Red card and the end of Espanyol’s chances. Aspas almost made it 3 late on after smashing a free kick against the post on 88 but it wasn’t stopping Basel picking up a fine 3 points.

Swansea rise to 4th after coming from behind to register successive wins. Santini had the Germans ahead on 12 minutes, rising highest to meet Juardo’s corner and heading past Marchesin. The lead lasted just 3 minutes though as Linetty met a delicious Pizarro free kick with a sweet half volley. The comeback was complete before HT, there seemed little danger when Seferovic knocked the ball up to Kashia who then hit a stunning long range shot from 30 yards which flew past Arrizabalaga in goal.Cologne suffered a further blow on 49 minutes when Grillitsch received a straight red after a shocking knee high challenge on Adriano. It however was Cologne who created the best efforts after the red card. Santini twice denied his second of the game after good saves from Marchesin and in the end Swansea held on for a nervy 3 points. 

AZ maintained their unbeaten start with a very drab 1-0 win over hapless Boca. The game saw very little in way of any real chances of note until late in the 2nd half when Haps received the ball from Aquino and lashed a unstoppable drive past Moya. Boca rallied after the goal but twice Burgstaller wasted golden opportunities to get Boca level, failing to test Romero in the Alkmaar goal after twice receiving fine lay off’s from Mehmedi. In fact Romero didn’t have a shot to save all game such was the wastefulness in front of goal from Boca. 

In the game of the day Celta suffered their first defeat of the season despite having the greater possession of the ball. Arnautovic had Vigo off to the perfect start heading home from Sissoko’s whipped corner. Albrighton on 21 had Palace level and what a free kick. 25 yards out he drilled a shot under the jumping wall which left Ulreich stranded, great imagination from Albrighton. Just 3 minutes after the break and Palace were ahead, Keane brought the ball out of defence and played a decent ball to Cork who noticed Ulreich off his line and struck a lovely lobbed effort past the keeper. The lead lasted just 8 minutes though, Arnautovic holding off 3 defenders to lay a ball back to Feghouli who slotted home. Vigo continued their policy of subbing their keeper but it proved fruitless this time as Cech was caught cold just 3 minutes after replacing Ulreich, a lovely free kick was whipped in wide from Albrighton and Soldado rose to head home after Cech was caught in no mans land. Palace taking a great 3 points. 

Back to back wins for Dnipro here as they recorded a comfortable win over Cruzeiro. There had been little between the teams before Dnipro took the lead on 30 minutes, Freuler went on a mazy run into the Cruzeiro box before unselfishly passing to Andre who slotted home from 6 yards out. The lead was doubled on 58 minutes after a bit pin ball in the box cabral stuck out a toe to divert the ball into Latza’s path who drilled a great effort past Marinato in the home goal. Dnipro had chances to make the scoreline more convincing but will be delighted with their 3 points in the bag.

Monaco picked up their 2nd win of the campaign but again will be wondering just how they didn’t win by a more convincing margin. Zagreb had started the better side and Fofana had tested Reina before Eysseric and Alvarez struck efforts wide in the first 15 minutes. That was as good as it got for Zagreb as Monaco took full control over matters. Gundogan had chances to grab the opening goal in the first half but was denied by Bizot before flicking a chance wide when it seemed easier to score. Alvarez took one for the team just after the break as Higuain broke clear he cynically chopped him down from behind. No need for VAR here as the ref correctly showed him the red card. Gundogan made them pay just a few minutes later with a fine free kick which he despatched into the huge gap Bizot had left him, his 4th goal of the season. Bizot made great saves from Higuain and Palomino to prevent a more damaging defeat. 

If you left early in this match, and plenty did, you missed all the action (lol) in the last 10 minutes as both teams finally realised they had a game to win. In a completely drab affair Partizan maintained their unbeaten run but were held to a 4th successive draw. The last 10 minutes saw all the action, Viviano saving well from both Femina and Guedes to preserve the unbeaten run, whilst at the other end Quagliarella and Rosales were denied by Zoet. A game neither side deserved to win and fans were just relieved to hear the FT whistle. 

Atalanta lost the battle at the bottom after a lackluster performance against a team reduced to 10 men just 47 seconds in to the game. Gnagnon receiving a straight red after elbowing debutant Zubeldia, a shocking act of violence. It was obvious to Villa’s tactics as just 4 minutes in and they could of been down to 9!! Halstenberg going in strong on Guerrero which incensed the home dugout. The mood in the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia didn’t improve as just 10 minutes in and Son tumbled over a leg and won a soft free kick, Teodorczyk stepped up and curled into the top corner leaving Subasic grasping thin air. Lascelles again tested the patience of the ref on 19 minutes with a fierce challenge on Merino, it was clear Villa were determined to get in the face of Atalanta. On 25 minutes more frustration as Giaccherini found himself in a great position after Merino had played him through but his effort smacked the crossbar. Only 3 minutes later and finally some relief for Atalanta as Eremenko got on the end of Rodriquez knock down to drill home. Surely the 11 men would take control?? Well no we didn’t and Villa had themselves 2-1 up at HT after VAR awarded a penalty after some shirt pulling from a corner, Teodorczyk sending Subasic the wrong way for his 5th of the season. The 2nd half was played out with little action on the pitch, the only thing of not happened off the field as fans protested against manager Norman Little, ‘LITTLE OUT’ AND ‘LITTLE SIGN OF IMPROVEMENT’ were the only flags we can print in this family edition review. No win in 5 for Atalanta as Villa secure their first win of the season. 

 

 Levante hit top spot with Torino and Basel following. Villa move out the relegation zone after their first win of the season. Boca and Atalanta continue their poor start to the season. 

Teodorczyk and Santini leading with 5 goals in 5 games. 

Gundogan just behind on 4 goals.

Atalanta got their T100 cup campaign off and running and it will be no surprise to anyone when I say we lost. A much changed side were given the run around in the first half away to fellow Division 4 side and were 3-0 at HT despite Ndiaye seeing red for the home side on 34. The 2nd half was a bit of an improvement against 10 men and goals from Matheusinho and Andone give some sort of hope but the 10 men of Vigo finished the game stronger despite their numerical disadvantage. 3-2 win for Vigo and Atalanta can look forward to increased pressure from their suffering fans.

Dnipro and Basel next in the league for Atalanta sandwiching a youth cup game against Vigo. It could get worse before it gets better. 

Gentle reminder to anyone reading to make sure if you are in the youth cup to fully set up your fixtures, if you are missing requests PM the manager to sort it. 

Thanks for reading. 

Norman