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Old 08-31-2018, 10:49 PM   #62
Brian Swartz
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: May 2006
2.17.19 1. FC Saarbrucken(7-1-1, 2nd) vs. Stuttgarter Kickers(1-2-6, 7th)

Saarbrucken is the stingiest team in the amateur ranks with only four goals surrendered. Only RWE has scored more than they have. And they flattened us 3-0 on our rented patch of grass in the first meeting, the start of a four-match stretch in which we would lose by at least two goals each time out, 12-0 overall. A reasonable goal here then is merely to make things closer.

G Komolong
D Ortag/Abruscia/Doringer/Scepanik/Weibenfels
M Tunjic/Maslanska/Hirsch/Fetscher
F Wachter

Obviously not going to score with this lineup, but that would be the case no matter who we ran out there. They waltzed right into our defense after the opening kickoff, and FW Schmidt, their best, blasted a shot past Doringer and Komolong. Barely, but still a bit depressing. Loss guaranteed before we touch the ball. It did get better though, as Scepanik blocked a second attempt on which they didn't have time to get into closer range. Two tries from distance in the second half were intercepted as well.

1. FC Saarbrucken 1, Stuttgarter Kickers 0

That is better. Not good, but better. Outshot 4-0 and tackled 6-1.

Levels for Komolong(8) and Wachter(2) -- he saw a lot of action as the only guy up front.

*** Tunjic
** Doringer
* Scepanik

Balance: 612(+32)
Glory: 5(--)
Fans: 15(--)

Also, Offenbach beat Wattenscheid 2-1, getting revenge for the earlier defeat. That basically means it's very likely we end the season 7th, unless we manage to steal another win somewhere and I'm not holding my breath for that.

2.24.2019 Stuttgarter Kickers(1-2-7, 7th) vs. TSV Halvese(4-1-5, 4th)

This is one we just might have a small chance of scoring in, but the only guy who can really do it is Pfeiffer. Halvese has a slightly negative goal differential, but they have a fairly threatening attack to us on paper, deploying three forwards with accuracy in the 30s for this encounter. 2-0 was the score last time.




Here's a simple but important pre-match tactic opportunity. Startsev is their best defender, and they're playing a fairly aggressive 4-3-3. Combining those two facts, I position Pfeiffer on the other side so he can flank their line and get a shot from decent range where only their weaker defenders and unimpressive keeper can intercept it.




As you can see here, the odds are still quite low; they have three guys moving to intercept and they pool their abilities. It's at -40%(precision shot is 20%, having to move to intercept another 20%) but with a trio of them it's still probably more than enough. But there's a chance ...

They easily make the play, and then Zeitz misses a tossup tackle in midfield, with Komolong throwing in an utter crap effort on a shot he should have stopped shortly afterwards. On the ensuing kickoff though, Pfeiffer gets just as lucky if not moreso; he rolls a 16, defenders and keeper each get a 15, and we tie it up! First match we've had with both teams scoring. Unfortunately they march back down and score again. Scepanik blocks a longer-range attempt before the half, but their forwards just shoot too well for our defense right now.

Doringer blocks a weaker try to start the second, then against all odds Muller D retains possession in midfield. We still need another lucky strike to get even again though, and that doesn't happen for us.




Even though we lost, this was definitely the most interesting match we've had so far for my money. There was basically a 'puncher's chance' here; no question their superior finishing made them the better team(their slide-tackling midfielder was also a pain), but there were things we could try to give ourselves an opportunity for fortune to smile down on us. Didn't work out, but it's still a heck of a lot better than the usual 'how many goals will we lose by' deal.

Levels for Abruscia(8) and Preiss(3).

*** Muller D
** Pfeiffer
* Zeitz(did have a successful tackle later in the match)

Balance: 719(+107)
Glory: 5(--)
Fans: 15(--)

The transfer window closed a few days after this match. Nobody's gone on sale and nobody's bought any of those players to make new ones pop up, we don't have any contracts to extend so there was nothing to do here.




Nobody else made any changes. We're either tilting at windmills, throwing euros around in a foohardy attempt to gain traction -- or else we're the visionary brainchild in the early stages of building a powerhouse that will eventually escape this lowly rec league.
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