Athlético 3 - 2 Mariniho (374590075)

The weather was pretty good, and a crowd of 58629 had shown up at Toutourium for the match. Joël Spiegelberg was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Nik Faraki and Rik Wijnants. A 4-5-1 alignment was the formation of choice for Athlético. The following players took the field: Ianculescu - Alley, Bellón, Bouček, Manche - Holka, Valentini, Jáně, Smith, Kejonen - Marçalo.

Mariniho had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: De Mey - Sanhueza, Heendorf, Mabes - Olthuis, Ljósheim, Böckenrand, Barschevskiy, Machaca - Dobre, Monsalbe.

Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Athlético. After 15 minutes, M. Holka came in from the right, feinted, then sped past the off-balance defender to make the score 1 - 0, giving Athlético the lead. A speedy charge from the left side of the field increased the lead of Athlético to 2 - 0 as L. Bouček finished it off competently, firing in from an acute angle. After 25 minutes, S. Marçalo put Athlético ahead 3 - 0 when he rose to head in a cross from the right wing. It was 3 - 0 at the break. Athlético enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 57 percent of possession.

With 56 minutes played, R. Jáně could have brought this one home for Athlético as he charged up on the left, but his hooked ball went just a bit too high. Coming from the right, M. Holka almost managed to score another goal for Athlético, but his header was tipped over the bar by the visitors' keeper. A. Monsalbe's speed is always a threat when he gets a little room to move, and 78 minutes into the match was no different as he broke free of his man to send a delightful through ball to M. Dobre who knocked it in for Mariniho. 3 - 1! The visitors got one back when M. Dobre finished off a pass from the left and scored after 79 minutes. 3 - 2 was the score. After 82 minutes, speedy A. Monsalbe dashed past his marker, making plenty of room for the second wave of attack. However, M. Dobre failed to score. Athlético had most of the ball, with 57 percent of possession.

Most important Athlético player was S. Marçalo. However, M. Holka made a disastrous appearance. Mariniho's top performer was clearly A. Monsalbe. B. De Mey turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 3 - 2.