Atlético 8 - 1 Deportivo (379935228)

It was an exceptionally sunny day for the crowd of 1155 that came out to Red Wall Arena. Finn Böhrer was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Ueli Reisch and William Chantrel. Atlético decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. The following players took the field: Rabatkevich - Echalaz, Vinent, Kubát - Tziovanis, Pusceddu, Mac Auliffe, Campos, Albano - Erčulj, Feilmann.

Deportivo started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. Starters: Yiannikakis - Price, Granfeldt, Moyano, Kühlein - Carriel, Youssari, Văn Đà, Cisternas - Westerlaan, Castell.

Atlético showed off their creative tactics. It was an obvious ambition of Deportivo to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. F. Campos caused the crowd to go mental with his goal up the middle after 21 minutes. This gave Atlético the 1 - 0 lead. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. P. Albano squirmed through their central defence after 22 minutes, increasing the lead to 2 - 0. A magnificent combination in the middle resulted in Atlético's L. Erčulj increasing the lead to 3 - 0. At this point, it was obvious that the players of Atlético lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented. The unexpected cross pass from Deportivo's O. Kühlein after 34 minutes opened up the defence and was received by A. Westerlaan who finished off for 3 - 1. Atlético solidified their lead at the 35 minute mark, as A. Pusceddu dribbled the ball through the opposing central defence and scored to make it 4 - 1. Deportivo will have to do without O. Kühlein for a time, due to a bad foot injury at the 39 minute mark. He was substituted by E. Salvatierra. R. Kubát increased the lead for Atlético to 5 - 1, getting a head onto a hooked ball from the right. The ball looked to have taken a deflection on the way in, but he's claiming it! The teams went for the halftime break at 5 - 1. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Atlético, with 83 percent of the ball.

The heat made it a terrible day for E. Carriel, who seemed unable to keep up with the other players. A speedy charge from the left side of the field increased the lead of Atlético to 6 - 1 as L. Erčulj finished it off competently, firing in from an acute angle. After 62 minutes a very unfortunate collision in the penalty area led to Deportivo's F. Moyano being carried off the pitch and replaced by S. Mora. Atlético put in a good effort on the right, but L. Erčulj saw his volley fly wide of the mark 68 minutes into the game. 69 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defence had to look on as C. Mac Auliffe broke through, making the score 7 - 1 for Atlético. With 70 minutes played, the Deportivo coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. R. Wagnerberger came on, N. Văn Đà had to leave the fray. Sensing defeat in the air, the Deportivo manager directed R. Wagnerberger and R. Castell to change positions with each other. This was 71 minutes into the match. A. Echalaz found it hard to catch his breath today in the stifling heat. After 78 minutes, a couple of quick and successful challenges followed by a shot from just outside the penalty area by Y. Tziovanis might have resulted in another goal for Atlético. However, D. Yiannikakis made a spectacular save. With 80 minutes played, L. Erčulj of Atlético fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. Atlético managed to extend their lead to 8 - 1 when I. Feilmann cut in neatly from the left side and struck a fine shot past the away team's goalkeeper. Atlético had most of the ball, with 81 percent of possession.

Atlético's top performer was clearly A. Pusceddu. R. Kubát was a disappointment, however. Deportivo's best player was R. Castell. However, D. Yiannikakis made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 8 - 1.