Atlético 5 - 1 POPPER (379135808)

The 1249 fans in attendance at El Gigante de Lugano were roasting in the hot sun. Orlando Andrés Obregón was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Willfried Häberle-Haug and Martin Anderstål. Atlético started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. Starters: Schutz - D'Antoni, Hattu, Johansen - Stumpers, Luchia, Vojvoda, Rojas, Tanfara - Aranda, Maglione.

POPPER decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. They fielded: Hellem - Moll, Cappadoro, Tirol - Kielpinski, Broda, Lilie, Romano, Gaston - Barzasi, Jaremchuk.

The visiting M. Lilie was booed thoroughly by the home crowd 28 minutes into the game, after he broke through the middle and scored, resulting in the visitors taking the lead. 0 - 1 was the score. Atlético's J. Vojvoda had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 32 minutes having been played. S. Weener was the replacement. Due to some great work on the right wing Atlético's B. Stumpers was able to even the score after 33 minutes to make the score 1 - 1. With 35 minutes played, the home side managed to get a 2 - 1 lead as S. Maglione flipped the ball in after a cross from the right. With 38 minutes played, J. Broda of POPPER fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. Atlético's S. Luchia had an excellent opportunity after 41 minutes, shooting after receiving a pass from the right hand side, but he missed the goal by miles! 2 - 1 was the halftime score. Atlético had most of the ball, with 57 percent of possession.

Atlético solidified their lead at the 49 minute mark, as S. Tanfara dribbled the ball through the opposing central defence and scored to make it 3 - 1. At this point, it was obvious that the players of Atlético lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented. 55 minutes into the game, POPPER had difficulty finding their positions and their organisation dropped to inadequate. Atlético's S. Maglione saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 57 minutes. D. D'Antoni was the first to reach the corner kick, but his header was blocked by the keeper. However, Atlético's L. Rojas managed to get hold of the rebound and tucked the ball into the empty net. 4 - 1 As usual, J. Broda tried to use his strength and hard work for the benefit of the team, but the heat hit him hard and he couldn't keep pace at all. After 78 minutes, a couple of quick and successful challenges followed by a shot from just outside the penalty area by L. Rojas might have resulted in another goal for Atlético. However, T. Hellem made a spectacular save. After 80 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as POPPER found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to weak. Atlético increased the lead as S. Maglione struck to make the score 5 - 1 after an attack from the left left him unmarked in front of the keeper. Atlético claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 64 percent.

S. Weener performed admirably for Atlético. L. Rojas on the other hand, had a terrible day. POPPER's top performer was clearly S. Barzasi. However, X. Gaston made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 5 - 1.