Barnesalona Cup
Munchen 2 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 1
A week after a narrow and frustrating defeat against Munchen, Loko lined up looking to extract revenge against a decent but unspectacular side.
The team was much changed, however, from the one that had lost the week before, and that lack of consistency in personnel was to prove costly for Loko as the game bore on. Julian lined up in goal in front of a back four of Ivan, Nick, Paul and Rohan. Nick playing out of position at centre back. In midfield, Stephane, Ismail, Renato and trialist Danny. Up front, Andreas returned and was partnered by another trialist named Mike.
The game started well for Loko, early pressure led to some good possession down the left side in particular. Stephane was making some nice runs and Ismail was competing well in the centre. No clear cut chances had been created by either side however when Andreas (pictured below) picked up the ball with his back to goal, side stepped a beleaguered Munchen defender and unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the roof of the net from fully 30 yards.
Loko had taken the lead for the first time this season. A period of 10 minutes followed with neither side wrestling the initiative and both showing an aptitude for throwing the ball down the line and gaining a couple of yards trench warfare style. The unexpected Indian summer meant the game was being played in warm, almost perfect conditions. That was the backdrop. Barnes in all its glory and the loko brows were certainly glistening as the Munchen rearguard action went up a gear, great long balls cannoned forward looking to be flicked on to exploit the space behind the back four and fully utilise the pace of their number 10 * (* connotates star player).
This tactic had been used to good effect in the first fixture last week and it was to provide the equaliser a quarter of the way into the match. A ball flicked forward saw number 10 pounding down on goal with Julian caught in no man's land, prey to the lob that was accurately dispatched into the gawping net. Loko heads seemed to drop and perhaps the psychological battle had already been played out when the teams left the pitch at half time.
Half-Time Munchen 1 v Loko 1
The manager tried to galvanise the players and demanded more commitment all over the pitch to try and turn the tide that seemed to be flowing towards the Loko net. Rohan was only too aware of this having to take the innumerable goal kicks that resulted from the habitual but largely ineffective flow of Munchen attacks. Sandbags in the tide.
As the second half progressed it became apparent that it would take a moment of individual brilliance from either Andreas or Stephane to produce the goal Loko craved. increasingly the midfield battle was being lost as headers and second ball challenges became less robust and Munchen figured they had the measure of a slightly disjointed Loko side.
Rohan, having mastered the art of the 'half volley header' happened to miss one and clattered their striker leaving Munchen with a free kick on the edge of the area. A tame but accurate effort to the top corner was easily deflected by the keeper for a corner which was well defended. The defense was holding up however with Nick man marking number 10 and keeping him quieter that he had been over the last three halves.
Paul was winning some important headers and it seemed for a moment that Loko might hold out for a valuable point. These hopes were dashed however with 15 minutes left to play, number 10 dribbling into the box and although shadowed by Nick unleashed a powerful shot from a tough angle which beat the keeper at the near post. 2-1 to Munchen.
Do you ever get deja vue? didn't you just ask me that? And so it was.
The final minutes seeing a delayed reaction from the Lokomotiv team who rallied in the last five minutes and some concerted pressure led to a few goal mouth incidents which never troubled the opposition keeper. The final whistle echoed to the same score line but in some ways it had been a very different game from the previous week.
Ultimately the difference was that Munchen have a settled side who all know each other and play to a decent standard week in week out. Loko need to find that consistency and soon it will all fall into place. Next up Madras and a chance to get back up the league table.
Full-Time Munchen 2 v Loko 1
Manager Julian Milne's comments:
"Another tight game but the score line was a fair reflection on proceedings. We started well and Andreas scored another sublime goal to give us the lead but Munchen gradually asserted themselves, winning most of their personal battles.
I am happy we didn't concede from set pieces however and thought a few personal performances were excellent. In particular Stephane, Nick and Andreas. The foundations are there for a successful season we just need to recruit a couple of competitive players to lend the team a more aggressive side and instill some self-belief.
We have stopped conceding soft goals and I think we will start grinding out some results sooner rather than later. Heads up lads.
Man of the match: Stephane with Nick a close second."
Team Line Up
1. Julian
2. Rohan
3. Ivan
4. Nick M
5. Paul (c)
6. Ismail
7. Stephane
8. Renato
9. Mike
10. Andreas
11. Danny
No Substitutes.
Goals:
Andreas (1)
15th Minute - A thirty yard screamer into the top corner.
Match Report provided by Julian Milne.
