ReaIMadrid 1 - 4 Electric (382042428)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 11479 at Santiago Bernabéu today. Alexandru-Cristian Costache was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Pierre-Baptiste Conte and Jean-David Verduyckt. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for ReaIMadrid. The following players had been chosen: Cieślikiewicz - Tannoia, Godel, Farano - Schroer, Charitos, Labuda, Partalin, Gomez - Rojão, Löffelmann.

Electric had chosen a strategic 4-5-1 formation. Starters: Gárdonyi - Talasjärvi, Goyens, Gasser, da Fonseca - Crivellaro, Fuentes, Catry, Zinicola, Cordone - Renhall.

ReaIMadrid took a creative approach on the field. Electric immediately set off using their skill at pressing their opponents. With 12 minutes played, ReaIMadrid's well-worked indirect free kick caused havoc in the penalty area, and when the ball eventually fell to M. Labuda he gleefully slotted the ball home to make it 1 - 0. The visitors were awarded a penalty by the referee 25 minutes into the match, much to the anger of the home crowd. M. Renhall took advantage of the situation and scored to make it 1 - 1. The guests took the lead 27 minutes into the match, after a right-side attack resulted in A. da Fonseca scoring to make it 1 - 2. R. Gasser increased the visitors' lead by putting a volley away after a pass from the right. 1 - 3. Electric's talent at pressing frustrated the spectators as the game became a dire midfield struggle. 1 - 3 was the halftime score. Electric had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

The bench was restless, and with 46 minutes passed ReaIMadrid's coach gave K. Zanner the opportunity the player had been hoping for. G. Partalin reluctantly left the field. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, ReaIMadrid's A. Farano was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 46 minutes. L. Carletta was given a chance to change things around. M. Renhall came close to extending the visitors' lead when he found himself completely unmarked in front of the goal after a pass through the middle. He tried to lift the ball over Ł. Cieślikiewicz but overcooked it and hit the bar instead. The Electric players could smell victory in the air. S. Zinicola wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for F. Polla after 54 minutes. Some fine movement on the left led to a Electric goal after 54 minutes, making it 1 - 4. M. Talasjärvi was noted down as the scorer. Electric's B. Catry placed the ball right at his teammate's feet after a corner, but B. Goyens couldn't finish. Electric had to make a substitution after 69 minutes. H. Cordone limped off the field and was replaced by G. Stagi. ReaIMadrid's J. Gomez got himself booked for a foul. 78 minutes into the game, Electric worked the left side industriously creating several opportunities to add to their lead, but just couldn't apply the finishing touch. B. Goyens wanted to play on, but the Electric coach had other ideas, and he was replaced 79 minutes into the game by S. Camboni. P. Crivellaro was the new captain of Electric - handed the armband by the departing player. Possession in this half belonged to Electric, who controlled the ball 52 percent of the time.

ReaIMadrid's top performer was clearly K. Löffelmann. However, Ł. Cieślikiewicz made a disastrous appearance. M. Renhall performed admirably for Electric. S. Camboni was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1 - 4.