Galacticos 2 - 3 Smarty (382035763)

Weather conditions were fairly good for football, and Galacticos 2012 StAdIuM saw a crowd turnout of 9133. Antonio Ballesteros was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Robin Kilian Dörnberg and Gilles van der Schrier. Galacticos had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. Lineup: Heica - Lencioni, den Hertog, Avagliano, Karayiannidis - Mitru, Ðilas, Misoi, Causerano - Hansen, Coppens.

Smarty started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. They fielded: Zana - Goldsmith, Florescu, Borzì - Degli Esposti, Magosso, Degrève, Rome, Beiboot - Voser, Tiddia.

It was obvious that Galacticos were using their pressing skill as their primary tactic. It might be a while before the fans see Smarty's G. Magosso again, after he had to leave the field in great distress at the 26 minute mark. He was replaced by S. Bravetti. L. Rome was the new captain of Smarty - handed the armband by the departing player. After 30 minutes of play, E. Mitru gave the home team a 1 - 0 lead after an attack coming in from the right. Smarty were close to putting the equaliser away after 33 minutes as the opposing defence lost control of the ball to L. Rome in a scuffle towards the left of the goal, but in the end the ball was cleared over the dead ball line. After 34 minutes, L. Borzì sent the corner kick right to D. Beiboot who headed it sharply past the keeper. 1 - 1! With 37 minutes played, the visitors broke through on the right after some poor defending. G. Tiddia put the ball away for 1 - 2. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, E. Causerano got himself booked. The manager of Galacticos was not happy. 1 - 2 was the score after the first half. Possession in this half belonged to Galacticos, who controlled the ball 51 percent of the time.

At this time in the match, Galacticos were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. With 58 minutes played, Galacticos's B. Coppens found an opening in the visitors' left side defence, but his shot was handled easily by the keeper. E. Causerano of Galacticos got sent off for kicking the ball after the whistle, a completely uncalled for move, earning him his second yellow card of the game. The home crowd was not impressed when L. Borzì came in from the right, shooting hard to score after 61 minutes. Smarty were now up 1 - 3. With 64 minutes played, C. Misoi of Galacticos fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. At 65 minutes into the game, Galacticos's M. Hansen deftly knocked the ball home after an impressive run down the left, reducing the visitors' lead to 2 - 3. Galacticos's defence sent a ball soaring up the middle on a beautiful counterattack with 72 minutes gone, but M. Hansen's finish was met by the reaching hands of the keeper. The bench was restless, and with 76 minutes passed Galacticos's coach gave G. Solana Marín the opportunity the player had been hoping for. M. Hansen reluctantly left the field. Smarty enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 57 percent of possession.

The most dominating Galacticos player was without a doubt S. den Hertog. However, G. Solana Marín made a disastrous appearance. Smarty's best player was G. Tiddia. S. Bravetti turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 2 - 3.