FC STUGALUX 1 : 1 FC EUROATLAS

Since there were no friendly matches before the season start, there were some expectations among FC Euroatlas fans regarding the team preparation, specially the physical condition. And a match against FC Stugalux was the perfect test… A very tough team, making of their aggressiveness their strongest weapon.

The game took place at Strassen, a pitch a little bit smaller than usual that made life easier to the home team. Making a huge pressure since the beginning, there was no space for Euroatlas to do their game and it was difficult to see more than two consecutive passes between Euroatlas players. During the first half, the game suffered lots of interruptions, every two minutes the referee was whistling as consequence of the several hard tackles made by Stugalux midfielders. However, the home team was being more effective in reaching the offensive zone and Iulian, considered the man of the match, did a couple of good saves and had also to leave goal and play the role of defender a couple of times. But, more or less with 20 minutes played, the home team scored… Stugalux manage to do a good long pass to their striker that was running with Nuno by his side. Nuno was able to gain position but, when he tried to put an end to this attack, it seems that kick the ball together with the striker… Iulian was not expecting the direction given to the ball and we wasn’t able to avoid the goal. The ball went over him and he touched it, but it was not enough…

The second half was quite different, in the beginning at least… Euroatlas did some changes regarding some players positions. On the other side, Stugalux slowed down the rhythm and they were not doing so much pressure. FC Euroatlas started to make their game, good combinations in the midfield, using the wings searching for a good cross… Les Bleus  were getting closer and closer to the goal and, in one of those attempts by the left wing, Nuno had the chance to cross… However, when everyone was expecting a cross, even the home keeper, the ball went straight to the net! Intentionally or not? Only Nuno can answer… The 1-1 was made and remained like that until the end… The home team was not happy with the result and they changed their strategy to score the second. On Euroatlas side, Eugénio gave his place to Johannes in order to refresh the midfield. Stugalux continued to play hard and to push Les Bleus to their defensive sector… Several goal chances were created but Iulian was huge! Highly concentrated and very well positioned, Iulian saved everything and kept the result for his team… Man of the match, no question about that!

E.M.