Stalingrad 1 - 2 Carretera (378597740)

Clear skies welcomed the 3568 spectators who had made their way to FC Stalingrad Arena. Ettore Brunoro was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Anton Stöcklin and Thor Olsen. Stalingrad started off with a 5-4-1 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Grübel - Rolandsson, Rahmflod, Bojkovski, Grönfeldt, Baiuca - Bohlind, Hochenauer, Lannergren, Mollmann - Correia.

Carretera decided to use a 4-3-3 set up. Starters: Shraïbi - Zwiewka, Stjärnlind, Möhlen, Staat - Furtado, Veraguth, Barciela - Vrijens, Barnusell, Koskelo.

Stalingrad demonstrated their creative tactics on the field. Counter-attacking seemed to be the preferred strategy of Carretera. Some quick footwork on the left side of the field 4 minutes into the match left Carretera's K. Stjärnlind completely free to score. 0 - 1 for the visitors. 19 minutes into the game Stalingrad managed a counterattack, but S. Mollmann took a soft shot from the left flank that was easy prey for the alert keeper. 21 minutes in, Carretera appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only inadequate. The corner kick from T. Koskelo was powerfully met by the head of F. Barciela to make the score 0 - 2. After 43 minutes, Stalingrad's V. Grönfeldt fell awkwardly, but was determined to stay in the match. That's the spirit! The teams went for the halftime break at 0 - 2. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Stalingrad, with 53 percent of the ball.

The Carretera players spent the break getting a rerun of the team's tactical organisation and regained a solid organisation when the game started again. The situation leading to Stalingrad's penalty 63 minutes into the match will be much debated after the game ends, but the competent E. Hochenauer didn't hesitate to make the score 1 - 2. Carretera's F. Barciela got himself booked for a foul. 66 minutes into the game, Carretera had difficulty finding their positions and their organisation dropped to inadequate. Given a free kick in a difficult position after 67 minutes, Stalingrad tried a variation that they had practised in training. The kick was sent into the area just in front of the keeper. However, the defence were on their toes and allowed no space for a finish. Stalingrad's J. Rolandsson was shown a yellow card after 70 minutes for slicing down an opponent. L. Möhlen was the unlucky victim and couldn't continue the game, so Carretera's J. Pérez de Lucas had to come off the bench. Stalingrad had most of the ball, with 52 percent of possession.

The most dominating Stalingrad player was without a doubt E. Hochenauer. On the other hand, V. Bojkovski's play was disheartening. Carretera's best player was T. Koskelo. J. Pérez de Lucas turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 2.