SG League - Season 3 - GW 2

Atletico Madrid 2 - 2 Goodwick Town
Costa (Montoya), Jese (Coutinho); Finbogsson (Deulofeu),Garay (Deulofeu)

MOTM - Garay

These are the two young, nationality driven teams in the league, both full of exciting prospects flavoured with sheer talent and experience. Di's team got of to a rock roaring start with the home crowd seemingly drawing the team at Goodwick. Goodwick rocked, stumbled, and then fell to a stunning overhead kick for Costa after Montoya whipped in a cross from deep in the 24th minute. There was a lot of good attacking from that right wing, and as Atletico continued to force the issue they began to break through again, and it was with the run of play that Jese latched onto a scooped pass from Coutinho before launching a howitzer into the net from the corner of the area.

Welshy's team looked shell shocked, but that experienced edge in Garay started to see the tide turn. Garay really stepped up today and when his team were on the ropes between the Jese goal and half time Garay was everywhere, clattering tackles into Costa, sheperding Jese out, and dominating the air.

Garay's one man stand let Welshy haul his team into the dressing room at half time with a glimmer of a hope. The Goodwick manager was audibly reiterating his tactics, and his team's inherent philosophy, in some rather coarse language which we don't normally see from him The team went in disorientated, but came out with a clear tactical focus, and began to really get a showing in this game. Clever movement to pick up on space left by Montoya and Moreno who were still getting down the wings saw Deulofeu sweep in a cross which bounced once, twice, three times in the area before being plucked out the bounce by Finnbogsson and wellied home. Game on!

The next goal came from a corner, against supplied by the Spaniard in the Dutch team Delofeu swung the ball in and it seemed to catch in the air, only Garay rose high enough to knock this beautiful cross into the net.

It ended 2-2, a sterling match by two pure-blood 'footballing' teams.

================================================
Legia Warsaw 0 - 3 Stoke City
-; Navas (Ibra), Navas (Ibra), Navas (Oscar)

MOTM - Navas

Well they showed up drunk, shouting and singing their tactics for all to here. Incoherently. Legia really stood no chance here Whilst they've cobbled together a decent team from the money you might find in a bum's hat, it's still not there yet, but it's on the right path

The tactical battle was dominated by Kamran, and it showed today, Navas had an absolute field day down the right hand side, capable of cutting inside he was running at Puyol who was run ragged.

Navas came away with the match ball after the display of the, still young, season. His first two were near identical, a long ball saw Ibrahimovic Neatly control the ball in emphatic style, before looping the ball over the head of Puyol who couldn't match the pace of Navas when he was young, let alone now. Navas dutifully put both chances away.

The third was a bit more special, less formulaic. Oscar received the ball from deep, spun used Ibrahimovic as a bumper with a quick one two before spotting Navas on the move. Offside? Perhaps, but again that lack of pace was picked out by this speed freak. Oscar's through ball was collected about 10 yards from goal before Navas rolled his foot over the ball to steer it away from the 'keeper before he passed it inot the open net. Lovely goal.

================================================
Crewe 1 - 1 WBA
Kuba (Bender); Tevez (Ozil)

MOTM - Alonso

Well, his team selection and tactics were applauded last week, but unfortunately this week this commentator feels Lubo made the wrong call. He highlighted a weakness in defence, but didn't pick the best players to exploit it. Ironically, the players he needed were sat twiddling toes and fiddling fingers on the bench.

WBA began to match in much better style than Crewe, Alonso sitting deep was firing cross field passes around with aplomb. Neymar wasted a good two or three chances from this deep lying creativity, and he'll be ruing those wild shots as he lies in his memory foam mattress topped bed.

The break through came in the 60th minute, Evra dragged Mirallas out of position, before passing it across to Alonso. Alonso slammed the ball wide right to Ozil who controlled the ball and beat Alba in the same move. Ozil then looked up, saw the ever running Tevez rolling again and spun the ball past Mertesaker for Tevez to slot home at the near post.

Lubo almost immediately made substitutions and brought Kuba and PEA on. Despite telling Kuba he was up against Cole () Kuba adapted well to play against his actual opponent Evra. He gave him an absolutely awful time, and when he beat Evra to a long hopeful ball from Lars Bender () he saw his chance and let rip at a tight angle, beating Cesar at his near post.

================================================
Athletic Bilbao 2 - 1 Taiwan Town Wanderers
Iniesta (Carrick), Suarez (Hazard); Reus (Rooney)

MOTM - Rooney

Great game between two of the bookie's favourites for title contenders. Ultimately Bilbao came out on top of what was the most even game of the day. Bilbao edged the game ever so slightly based on the size and sound of the Basque crowd.

The game was really end to end, with Ludy's team playing a beautifully direct, high pressure style which saw many of Bilbao's routes to goal shut down. Unfortunately for Taiwan (always type Taiwain, so that's what you're called from now on, for ease ), Bilbao have the three CMs who you'd want, Fab, Iniesta and Carrick are all brilliant, calm passers when called upon, so despite having less space to operate in than usual, they remained largely unflustered. In fact, Iniesta went slightly better than unflustered, he picked up the ball from Carrick deep in his half, and went on a blistering run which reminded the world that despite having a so-so season by his own high standards, this magician still has it. Carrick laid it off in his own half and in all honesty it was a poor pass, but Iniesta won out in the 50/50 with Kroos, he curved his run around De Rossi before making a mockery of Chiellini and Physics, and then sticking it between Mignolet's legs and into the net.

Whilst the first was a stroke of genius, the second for Bilbao was a slap of idiocy. Hazard rolled in a poor cross which Mignolet had covered all the, something he loudly told his defenders - "Defenders! Mine! This is mine! Leave it for me! I have it covered!" - as it rolled to him, the outfield players turned around and jogged back toward the centre circle. Mignolet chose to kick it from the ground, and as Hazard's cross finally reached him he leathered it right into the back of the retreating head of Suarez. The ball farcically slumped into the net of Mignolet, who did his best Charlie Chaplin routine as he dug the ball out of the net.

Substitutions saw Ludy change formation, and this brought a nice bit of success. Rooney in the middle of the trident was a reinvigorated player. He'd already had a good game, pressing from the front, the perfect striker for Ludy's Gengen game, but now he was released a bit more from the shackles as Muller and Reus were applying more pressure directly onto the defence. Dropping deep, Rooney collected the ball and with the outstep of his right boot curled it into the path of the sprinting Reus to slip home for a consolation goal.
================================================
Wolverspamton 2 - 0 Juvenuts
Negredo (Dzeko), Negredo (Mata); -

MOTM - Negredo

Is this the latest strike of the great villian that is The Commentator's Curse? I've made no secret that I think Mex's squad are the favourites to win the league, and I don't think this result will halt the charge, but it won't help. The tactics picked played into Mex's strengths, but also seemed to forget where Tino is strong too, that physicality up front for Wolves really wreaked havoc for Juventus.

Tino won't thank us for discussing 'Juve's Defeat' when we should really be talking about 'Wolves Win'. A fantastic performance from the underdogs today, the tactics were correct, the team selection was the right level of efficiency, graft and hard work. What must be noted is that Wolves put two past Juve despite lacking the width from the FBs which, against any other team, would give so much more depth to that attack. The FBs were intentionally pinned back by Tino, and defensively it worked, and ultimately they weren't needed in attack.

The first came from a long ball by Pique, Dzeko was the furthest forward Wolves player, and his attempt to chest the ball down was miscontrolled, but the bobbling touch rolled back towards Negredo who spun the ball past De Gea with a lovely controlled shot from 30 yards.

The second wasn't quite as spectacular, but a goal against Juventus can't be sniffed at. Man of the week Mata, having trained with three different squads this week, finally showed what all the fuss was about. He found the ball from Thiago,immediately turned and assessed his options, a through ball saw Benatia stumble as he turned to chase it, giving Negredo an unchallenged last 20 yards to goal before toe poking it past the keeper into the net.

This major upset will have repercussions for this week, but the season is long. Can Juventus pick up their title bid? Almost certainly. But for now, the glory is all Tino's.