VERRIERES 0 - 1 Barcelone* (385923281)

Dark skies made the crowd of 35250 at 666 Arena a little nervous, but the rain held off. Germán Suller was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Paul Backfisch and Lukas Ferwerda. A 5-4-1 alignment was the formation of choice for VERRIERES. Lineup: Zákopčan - Numminen, Iñigo-Ruiz, Danton, Bordenave, Navarrete - Trieb, Benetazzo, Scimè, Pierrat - Hennel.

Barcelone* decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. The following players had been chosen: Voigt - Crişan, Patrick, Pilner, Patouillard - Jahl, Lavaud, Leforestier, Zarins - Le Blanc, Ciron.

Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for VERRIERES. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, L. Iñigo-Ruiz got himself booked. The manager of VERRIERES was not happy. At 25 minutes played, J. Hennel came in from the right with the intention of giving VERRIERES the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. It was 0 - 0 at the break. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Barcelone*, with 51 percent of the ball.

F. Pierrat of VERRIERES was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. After 75 minutes, the Barcelone* coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving W. Jahl off the field. J. Ørskov took his place. 75 minutes into the game, Barcelone* wanted to bring some new energy to their game. A. Patouillard gave B. Salles a quick hug as he left the field. 75 minutes into the match, the referee signalled for a Barcelone* substitution. A. Žilinec came on for P. Le Blanc. Barcelone* had a great opportunity to score following a counterattack after 84 minutes, but B. Ciron's shot from the left sailed high over the bar. A. Zarins made one of his many fine passes from the wing into the middle 85 minutes into the match. B. Ciron bravely attempted to execute a diving header and the ball was met firmly with his forehead for Barcelone*. 0 - 1. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave F. Danton from VERRIERES a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 87 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! Barcelone*'s M. Pilner had to leave the pitch and there were no more available substitutions! C. Patrick was handed the Barcelone* captain's armband. VERRIERES enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 52 percent of possession.

The most dominating VERRIERES player was without a doubt L. Iñigo-Ruiz. S. Scimè was a disappointment, however. Most important Barcelone* player was A. Zarins. J. Ørskov turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 0 - 1.