dalmatas 0 - 2 Leoes (370761065)

The 17692 fans in attendance at DalmatasArenA were roasting in the hot sun. Wiesław Latosiński was the appointed referee. dalmatas decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Lineup: Borralho - Ereinuzqueta, Kamara, 睿法 (Ruifa) - Waterneversdorf, Alcáçovas, Dionísio, Escuteiro, Marinčić - Brito, Chaparo.

A 4-5-1 alignment was the formation of choice for Leoes. The following players took the field: Della Marta - Serino, Akyel, Cugnu, Baillard - Berkelman, Canek, Murillo, Zambotti, Pregueira - Santos.

dalmatas were mostly trying to use their skill at attacking on the flanks. The strategy for Leoes was to use their ability to press. Some great play up the middle by dalmatas led to a chance for F. Escuteiro to score after 4 minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar. Some quick footwork on the left side of the field 16 minutes into the match left Leoes's T. Murillo completely free to score. 0 - 1 for the visitors. Leoes's talent at pressing frustrated the spectators as the game became a dire midfield struggle. With 21 minutes played, Leoes put themselves up 0 - 2 after an attack from the right, caused by a defensive blunder. The scorer was N. Cugnu. At this point, it was obvious that the players of Leoes lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented. Players in dalmatas heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their central attacks to the wings instead. dalmatas were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. 0 - 2 was the score after the first half. dalmatas claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 67 percent.

Leoes's ability to press all over the field frequently paid dividends. The pressing tactics used by Leoes were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. A misunderstanding between the visitors' keeper A. Della Marta and his left defence could have resulted in a goal for dalmatas, but M. Brito's finish was way too lame. At this time in the match, Leoes were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. The intense heat forced R. Berkelman into making some errors because he couldn't seem to keep up with the others. dalmatas enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 70 percent of possession.

dalmatas's best player was I. Dionísio. On the other hand, V. Borralho's play was disheartening. Leoes's top performer was clearly S. Pregueira. F. Baillard on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 0 - 2.