FC COMMUNE ESCH  1 – 3  FC EUROATLAS

This game had everything to be a normal one. Because, in theory, it was against a weaker team (from the second division), the pitch was in great conditions and FC Euroatlas presented himself with a full squad. However, the game was full of episodes that resulted in a very long game and that could have created a big surprise in the end.

The game didn’t start at the time that was foreseen because FC Commune Esch didn’t have at least eleven players to play, as some of them were late… In the meantime, during the warm-up, FC Euroatlas lost two players for the match (Johannes and Alvaro) because they resented from previous injuries. So, when the referee gave the initial whistle “Les Bleus” only had eleven players available for the entire match, forcing the coach to do some last minute adjustments like placing Eugénio on the left corridor, a role usually played by Rémi (that was absent on this match). So, let’s go to the game…

Great start from FC Euroatlas, that resulted probably on the fastest goal ever scored by the team! Initial whistle,  a couple of passes on the midfield and the final one directly to Jussi that run a few meters and still from outside the area fired a powerful shot  straight to the top corner. Less than one minute of the game, 0-1 for FC Euroatlas, no change to the home team keeper…

FC Commune Esch was not able to react, FC Euroatlas maintained the pressure and a good ball circulation giving no spaces to the opponent. Naturally, five minutes after they scored the second goal in a penalty. Almost a copy of the first goal, but this time the defender stopped the shot  with his arm and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

With 0-2 on his favour, FC Euroatlas started to play more slowly, letting the time run without making the same high pressure because the game seemed to be controlled. On the other side, FC Commune Esch took that opportunity to assume the responsibility of the game but without creating any clear occasion to score, apart from two free kicks. The first one resulted in the 1-2 for the home team. In fact it was a great goal, very well converted, there was nothing that Angel could do to stop it. On the second one the story was different, because Angel showed a good positioning between the posts and did a good save, although incomplete, allowing  a second try to the FC Commune Esch striker, who didn’t took advantage of the rebound and missed the goal that could have levelled the game… Before the half-time, as reaction to the goal suffered , time for more opportunities to FC Euroatlas amplify the advantage. The home keeper did a fantastic save on a free kick by Jussi, Juan hit the post and similar move that originated the penalty didn’t have the same judgement from the referee this time…

The second half started and, as expected, FC Commune Esch tried to reach the second goal. Some very hard tackles start to occur on both sides and, since some of the home team players already had yellow card due to similar situations occurred during the first half and they started to get nervous and arguing, the referee took the decision of showing the second yellow and red card to one FC Commune Esch player in one of those moments. Around the 15th minute, another funny episode happens. Suddenly, no lights one side of the pitch… The referee interrupted the game and both teams had to wait almost 30 minutes, so the lights could be turned on again…

The problem was solved and the game restarted with FC Euroatlas controlling the operations. Either in a supported attack or in a counter-attack, because the home team didn’t give up and was giving everything to reach the goal, “Les Bleus” had several opportunities to score and finish with the game once and for all. Some shots went wide, others were saved, Nacho had also a great change face to face with the keeper and finally Juan, after a great opening from Nuno, found himself alone with only the keeper to beat and it was easy…. Third goal, the final 1-3 result was set and FC Euroatlas got the passport for the next round!

by E.M.