Division 4 Round 7 Review
Evening lads, What a start to the knockout stages in the WC eh? Don’t cry 4-3 Argentina being the highlight for sure, Ronaldo then followed Messi home after Uruguay saw Portugal off, name me a better CB partnership at international level than Godin/Jimenez! Spain passed the world and themselves to death in losing to Russia on Pens and Croatia scraped through despite Kasper Schmeichal’s best efforts. Brazil went through earlier with little trouble, whoever beats them wins for me they always capable of scoring but rarely look like conceding. This Belgium v Japan just finished and what a second half, Belgium showing real character to come from 2 down.
England V Columbia the big one tomorrow for a lot of you, Personally I think England will struggle and it could go the full distance. As mentioned in the T100 group chat this country could drown in its own tears tomorrow such is the belief that football is indeed coming home.
So to the review of Sundays games in Division 4..
ATALANTA 0 BASEL 2
Just where do i start….
Now I never expected a win for Atalanta and I was right in that belief, Basel had started the season like a team possessed whereas my sorry excuse for a team can’t do a thing right. Basel took just 4 minutes to take the lead when Aspas lashed home a free kick from the edge of the box, on 18 minutes Atalanta made things a good deal harder when Giaccherini lunged in on Aspas with both feet off the ground and was shown a straight red, The Italian didn’t help his cause by giving the two finger salute to the booing Atalanta fans and after the game Giaccherini was told to clear out his locker and he wouldn’t be considered for the first team again.The rest of the half actually belonged to Atalanta who twice tested Sirigu. After Guerrero missed a golden opportunity early in the second half Atalanta were punished as Aspas grabbed his and Basel’s 2nd, finishing well from Bardhi cross. Merino then finished the game as a contest by joining Giaccherini in having an early bath, again with a lunge on Aspas on 69 minutes and Atalanta were down to 9 men!! The game drifted towards the full time whistle with Basel not wanting to rub our noses in it. Big changes are needed here and transfers are already in the pipeline, Cech replaces Subasic with Diaz joining the u21 squad. Gebre Selassie swaps with Zuffi heading to Bremen to add some depth to FB positions.
SWANSEA 1 LEVANTE 3
Levante bounced back from defeat with a crushing defeat of Swansea who had Marchesin in goal to thank from a bigger defeat. Levante cruised this game and took just 15 minutes to take the lead, Fred’s corner dropped deap to the edge of the box and Diego hit a sweet half volley which flew past Marchesin. Within 3 more minutes and it was 2-0, and Diego had his 2nd picking up Gignac’s lay off to bury a shot home. It was 3-0 on 57 as Fred again provided an immaculate cross which left Musa with the simplest of tasks to slot home with the Swansea defence nowhere to be seen. On 64 the deficit was reduced as Swansea scored with their only shot on target, Adriano tapping home Jimenez delightful through ball. Marchesin then came to Swansea’s rescue by pulling off 4 great saves to deny Milik and Musa adding to the score. A fine fine away win.
CELTA VIGO 2 DINAMO ZAGREB 0
Celta are 3rd after a highly entertaining 2-0 win over Zagreb in which Celta finished with 9 men. The home team got off to a great start just 17 seconds in when Ivanovic smashed a hopeful ball forward which caught a wicked bounce and lobbed Bizot who was stranded,unbelievable start to the game. Fofana thought he had Zagreb level on 13 minutes but his goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review, Fofana had just went a fraction early. On the hour mark and Delph went two footed in on Olmo and had no complaints with the red. Despite the red card it was the 10 men who found themselves 2-0 when Sissoko mis hit his shot which wrong footed Bizot and rolled tamely into the bottom corner. Feghouli then lashed out at Fofana with a vicious right uppercut which would of been more at home in the boxing ring to join delph in getting a straight red. The 9 men were rarely threatened in the last 15 minutes though and will be delighted with the win.
CRUZEIRO 1 TORINO 2
Torino bounced back from their first defeat of the season to record a narrow win over Cruzeiro who slipped to their 4th defeat in 5. The game was lacking any quality before Negredo give the Italians the lead on 31 after Maia split the home defence and Negredo curled home a delightful finish.Cruzeiro battled well and deservedly levelled on 71 when Silva drove through the non existent Torino midfield and set Cigerci away just inside the box, he checked back inside Fuchs and finished well at the near post. Cruzeiro’s delight was short lived as Negredo lashed home just 3 minutes later from close range after Mendes did all the hard work. A decent win for Tom Parfitt’s outfit.
OLYMPIAKOS 0 PARTIZAN 1
The only unbeaten record remains intact after Partizan edged this tight affair in Greece.
The first half was low on action with Partizan just edging it, Kruse Bruma and Quagliarella all going close whilst Tevez missed Olympiakos’s best chance to take the lead. Dale Bowers words of wisdom at HT seemed to gee up the Greeks as they started the second half well and Viviano had to save well twice from Vainqueur in quick succession as they stepped up their performance. Vela then missed a sitter after Tevez left him with just the keeper to beat from 10 yards but he blazed high and wide. That chance would still be playing on everyone’s minds as Partizan moved straight down the pitch and won a penalty, Kruse was taken from behind by Gil and the ref had no hesitation to point to the spot. Kruse dusted himself down and lashed the penalty straight down the middle to give Partizan the lead. Bruma lost his head in the Greek sun and went in two footed on Vainqueur and was sent off to leave Partizan with 10 men for the last 8 minutes, but in truth they were rarely threatened after the goal and they saw the match out easily.
CRYSTAL PALACE 2 BOCA JUNIORS 0
Mark Deadman’s Palace continue their good run of for with a convincing win over hapless Boca. It took just 4 minutes for Andros Townsend to get Palace up and running, receiving Cork’s pass out on the right Townsend went on a mazy run beating 3 Boca defenders before calmly slotting past Moya. Boca did have a chance to level in the first half but the chance fell to Reine-Adelaide who again was deployed out of position and he snatched at his chance and Heaton had little trouble in collecting the shot. Boca were in deep trouble on 56 when Lima pulled Josh King’s shirt when defending a corner and the ref spotted it and awarded Palace a penalty, up stepped Townsend who send Moya the wrong way from the spot. Boca’s troubles got even worse 3 minutes after as Ilsanker, who had been given the run around all game, lost his rag and caught Defour with a shocking knee high challenge and was promptly sent off. Townsend was twice denied his hat trick after Moya saved well from him, Moya the difference between this being 2-0 and 5-0 today.
ESPANYOL 0 STOKE 2
Stoke made it 6 unbeaten with a terrific win over stuttering Espanyol. Stoke started brightly and Handanovic twice saved well from Miranchuk and Bou in the first 20 minutes. The sides then traded Yellow cards as both battled to take control of the game before Espanyol finally tested Zoet just before HT, Bruma’s shot needing collecting at the 2nd attempt by Zoet. Bou had Stoke ahead on 56 with a truly great finish, Castillejo played a high pass to Bou who took a touch with his chest before calmly lobbing the ball over the stranded Handanovic. Kjaer, already on a yellow, then saw red for a lunge at the goalscorer on 69 minutes adding to Lee Reynold’s problems. Stoke took full advantage as from the resulting free kick Castillejo again turned provider, sending a cross over which left Knoche unmarked to tap home. 3 defeats in 4 for the Spanish side as Stoke rise above Espanyol to 7th.
MARSEILLE 3 DNIPRO 2
Walter Gogh’s Marseille got back to winning ways with a entertaining win over Dnipro. Marseille started well and it took just 5 minutes to send the Velodrome wild as Bolasie swung over a teasing corner which Bocchetti rose highest to power a header home. Their dominance was confirmed when Bolasie scored on 22, though we still don’t know if he meant it. Valencia had knocked the ball down the line to Bolasie and he checked inside and lobbed a cross/shot right into the top corner, exquisit if he meant it or lucky if he didn’t. Either way 2-0. Both sides traded chances as Dnipro battled back but in doing so left themselves open to the counter. It took 70 minutes but finally Dnipro had themselves back in the game, Falque with a lovely driven finish from Latza’s lay off. 82 minutes and it was 2-2, Petros found Falque who knocked home his second despite looking like he fouled his man in the build up. Marseille however were not to be denied and Bolasie was the hero, beating 2 men before beating Grohe at his near post to seal the win with just 3 minutes remaining.
MONACO 0 ASTON VILLA 1
Aston Villa pulled off a great away victory at Monaco who continue their inconsistent start to the season. Nick Justice’s Villa went head to head with Monaco in an even first half with Son twice denied by Reina when it seemed easier to score. Those chances were sandwiched in between Strakosha saving from Higuain and Zielinski as the first half drew to a close. Gray stunned Monaco on 53 with a low driven shot which flew into the bottom corner of Reina’s near post to give Villa the lead. Son and Gray almost made it better for Villa but Reina was in good form to deny them. A great win for Villa and disappointment for Nathan Prince’s pre season favourites, Nathan already claiming he may listen to offers for his misfiring strikeforce of Higuain and Benzema.
AZ ALKMAAR 1 COLOGNE 2
Cologne picked up their 2nd win of the season to condemn Alkmaar to back to back defeats. Cologne were ahead on 5 as Charlie Austin beat Navas in the air to head the ball back to the on rushing Loftus-Cheek to smash the ball home from 12 yards. Sels then preserved the lead by saving from Juanfran and Smolov. He could do nothing though to prevent Alkmaar equalising 6 minutes before the break, Gonzalez running on to Acuna’s defense splitting ball to round the keeper and roll the ball into the empty net. 1-1 at HT. The second half Cologne stepped up a gear and forced Romero into smart saves from Austin(x2) and Grillitsch as they pushed for a winner. The winner came with just 11 minutes left and it was no surprise that Cologne grabbed the goal, their pressure finally counting when Loftus-Cheek stormed into the box and dropped the ball off to Van Ginkel who took a touch and found the top corner with a great finish.
OLYMPIAKOS 0 PARTIZAN 1
The only unbeaten record remains intact after Partizan edged this tight affair in Greece.
The first half was low on action with Partizan just edging it, Kruse Bruma and Quagliarella all going close whilst Tevez missed Olympiakos’s best chance to take the lead. Dale Bowers words of wisdom at HT seemed to gee up the Greeks as they started the second half well and Viviano had to save well twice from Vainqueur in quick succession as they stepped up their performance. Vela then missed a sitter after Tevez left him with just the keeper to beat from 10 yards but he blazed high and wide. That chance would still be playing on everyone’s minds as Partizan moved straight down the pitch and won a penalty, Kruse was taken from behind by Gil and the ref had no hesitation to point to the spot. Kruse dusted himself down and lashed the penalty straight down the middle to give Partizan the lead. Bruma lost his head in the Greek sun and went in two footed on Vainqueur and was sent off to leave Partizan with 10 men for the last 8 minutes, but in truth they were rarely threatened after the goal and they saw the match out easily.
CRYSTAL PALACE 2 BOCA JUNIORS 0
Mark Deadman’s Palace continue their good run of for with a convincing win over hapless Boca. It took just 4 minutes for Andros Townsend to get Palace up and running, receiving Cork’s pass out on the right Townsend went on a mazy run beating 3 Boca defenders before calmly slotting past Moya. Boca did have a chance to level in the first half but the chance fell to Reine-Adelaide who again was deployed out of position and he snatched at his chance and Heaton had little trouble in collecting the shot. Boca were in deep trouble on 56 when Lima pulled Josh King’s shirt when defending a corner and the ref spotted it and awarded Palace a penalty, up stepped Townsend who send Moya the wrong way from the spot. Boca’s troubles got even worse 3 minutes after as Ilsanker, who had been given the run around all game, lost his rag and caught Defour with a shocking knee high challenge and was promptly sent off. Townsend was twice denied his hat trick after Moya saved well from him, Moya the difference between this being 2-0 and 5-0 today.
ESPANYOL 0 STOKE 2
Stoke made it 6 unbeaten with a terrific win over stuttering Espanyol. Stoke started brightly and Handanovic twice saved well from Miranchuk and Bou in the first 20 minutes. The sides then traded Yellow cards as both battled to take control of the game before Espanyol finally tested Zoet just before HT, Bruma’s shot needing collecting at the 2nd attempt by Zoet. Bou had Stoke ahead on 56 with a truly great finish, Castillejo played a high pass to Bou who took a touch with his chest before calmly lobbing the ball over the stranded Handanovic. Kjaer, already on a yellow, then saw red for a lunge at the goalscorer on 69 minutes adding to Lee Reynold’s problems. Stoke took full advantage as from the resulting free kick Castillejo again turned provider, sending a cross over which left Knoche unmarked to tap home. 3 defeats in 4 for the Spanish side as Stoke rise above Espanyol to 7th.
MARSEILLE 3 DNIPRO 2
Walter Gogh’s Marseille got back to winning ways with a entertaining win over Dnipro. Marseille started well and it took just 5 minutes to send the Velodrome wild as Bolasie swung over a teasing corner which Bocchetti rose highest to power a header home. Their dominance was confirmed when Bolasie scored on 22, though we still don’t know if he meant it. Valencia had knocked the ball down the line to Bolasie and he checked inside and lobbed a cross/shot right into the top corner, exquisit if he meant it or lucky if he didn’t. Either way 2-0. Both sides traded chances as Dnipro battled back but in doing so left themselves open to the counter. It took 70 minutes but finally Dnipro had themselves back in the game, Falque with a lovely driven finish from Latza’s lay off. 82 minutes and it was 2-2, Petros found Falque who knocked home his second despite looking like he fouled his man in the build up. Marseille however were not to be denied and Bolasie was the hero, beating 2 men before beating Grohe at his near post to seal the win with just 3 minutes remaining.
MONACO 0 ASTON VILLA 1
Aston Villa pulled off a great away victory at Monaco who continue their inconsistent start to the season. Nick Justice’s Villa went head to head with Monaco in an even first half with Son twice denied by Reina when it seemed easier to score. Those chances were sandwiched in between Strakosha saving from Higuain and Zielinski as the first half drew to a close. Gray stunned Monaco on 53 with a low driven shot which flew into the bottom corner of Reina’s near post to give Villa the lead. Son and Gray almost made it better for Villa but Reina was in good form to deny them. A great win for Villa and disappointment for Nathan Prince’s pre season favourites, Nathan already claiming he may listen to offers for his misfiring strikeforce of Higuain and Benzema.
AZ ALKMAAR 1 COLOGNE 2
Cologne picked up their 2nd win of the season to condemn Alkmaar to back to back defeats. Cologne were ahead on 5 as Charlie Austin beat Navas in the air to head the ball back to the on rushing Loftus-Cheek to smash the ball home from 12 yards. Sels then preserved the lead by saving from Juanfran and Smolov. He could do nothing though to prevent Alkmaar equalising 6 minutes before the break, Gonzalez running on to Acuna’s defense splitting ball to round the keeper and roll the ball into the empty net. 1-1 at HT. The second half Cologne stepped up a gear and forced Romero into smart saves from Austin(x2) and Grillitsch as they pushed for a winner. The winner came with just 11 minutes left and it was no surprise that Cologne grabbed the goal, their pressure finally counting when Loftus-Cheek stormed into the box and dropped the ball off to Van Ginkel who took a touch and found the top corner with a great finish.
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| The table after round 7 |
Thanks for reading.
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