The pre-match atmosphere was very amicable with players looking like old friends who hadn’t seen each other for a while. This was helped by the notable comeback of few legends, both senior and junior.
Massimo was back steadying the Orange defence after a summer spent conquering Dolomites peaks with his bike. Andrea R flying high in Budapest engaged in an epic battle with Hossam to conquer the critical left flank where most of the traffic was going through. After some impressive, yet unlucky shooting from the distance, he dribbled a couple of Colours and put a ball on a plate for Ran whose header just shaved the bar. What a goal this would have been.
Green is slowly but steadily making his way back at last
But what sent the crowd wild was the appearing during warm up from the distance of Gregorio. The female fans immediately spotted the new hairstyle and earrings and you could tell they liked it as there was no shortage of ‘Marry me’ signs. Perhaps the change in look is to prevent Calafiori from pretending he is Gregorio and gain undeserved publicity and female attention. Our Italian talisman refused to comment and as usual did the talking on the pitch easily and naturally living up to the hype.
Gregorio was given a warm ‘welcome back’ both on the pitch and on the stands.
Alessandro was the first pick both for being consistently a good pair of hands and the only goalkeeper on duty. Both Tony L and Paride had missed the season (meaning last three months): this will trigger a contract revision: we wish them good luck.
Both defences looked supremely well equipped to deal with any kind of adversity fielding on one side Hannes, Hossam, Federico and on the other Massimo, Chetan and Bijian. Not surprisingly an unusual number on bets were on a low scoring result despite Orange having only rush keepers. Both walls looked wide, thick and tall.
In fact it was not easy for either team to break the ice but impossible is nothing for Gregorio who scored a brace followed by Francesco usual opportunistic goal while on the other side Jonathan D managed one to set the score at 3-1. In fairness Colours created a lot more than Orange but lacked their counterparts clinical finishing. Aurian was often at the centre of fast and well constructed moves thanks to both his agility and technique.
Then two things happened: soon after Alessandro did an incredible save, just when Gregorio thought he bagged a hat trick with a header from a corner within the box, Giancarlo saved it on the line. The Board gave the latter the concession, to be renewed every year, to guard the close post on every corner. After such performance it is very likely it will be renewed for 2027-28 as well.
The second things was a genius tactical move: Federico advanced from defence to become an attacking midfielder. Such move was not a given as Federico performed admirably as a defender in this and previous matches.
Immediately it had the result to better balance a midfield where Davide, on the opposite side, was keeping everyone busy with his constant moving (and talking…). The least you can say is that he brought liveliness to the game: a much welcome addition.
It didn’t take long for Federico to make a mark on the game in his new role, soon after he suffered the ignominy of a nutmeg from Ran who is now averaging two a game. With his Italian goal the gap was now one down to one goal only at 2-3 for Orange but the momentum was there for the Colours to turn the game, rather than limiting damages. It must be noted that Federico had the advantage to be supported by a dedicated set of fans and in the post match interview he had the courtesy to thanks the CLUB for making tickets available to friends & family.
Colours smelt blood and attacked in force: on a corner Hannes gored the ball into the net with an imperious header Mats Hummels would have been proud of. At 3-3 only the golden goals could separate two teams who looked superior in different phases of the match. Such is the strength of character and the will to never give up that is increasingly difficult to see one-direction matches and that’s one of the reasons fans flock in Saturday in, Saturday out.
Colours showed they possessed, other than a new tactical discipline, a freshness that translated in fast moves followed by quick passes: on one of which Jonathan L hooked the ball and planted it in the net with a poisonous diagonal shot to seal a majestic turnaround by the indomitable Colours’ team. Fans were reduced to tears of joy which thankfully the warm sun helped to dry.
Before the Man of the Match award there was another significant recognition as a J shaped trophy was handed both to Jonathan L, Jonathan D and Jonathan R for representing the most numerous ‘single same first name’ group, whose importance and originality should not be underestimated.
As for the MOTM at one point it looked like no one could take it away from Gregorio who had a superb game, yet again being the heart and soul of his team, alternating encouragement and reprimand as required. But what makes the beautiful game so beautiful is its unpredictability: the 4-1 vanished on the goal line and Federico, Hannes and Jonathan L turned the tide bringing home a nail biting victory.
The CLUB data team pointed out that 84.7% of the MOTM recipients come from the winning team and voters this time too decided to go with the champions. As they say, defeat is an orphan while victory bring many votes…
Hannes was deservedly identified as the key figure who made it happen both by scoring a key goal on one part of the pitch and flooring opponents on the other. Part of the credit goes to Hossam who, whenever Hannes was raiding Orange box, made sure that the door behind was safely locked.
Award winners: Hannes MOTM and Alessandro best keeper (and not because he was the only ‘role’ one)
GOALS
COLOURS: Jonathan D, Federico, Hannes, Jonathan L
ORANGE: Gregorio (2), Francesco
TEAMS
COLOURS: Alessandro, Hossam, Anton K, Hannes, Federico, Andrea M, Smayan, Jonathan D, Giancarlo, Morteza, Aurian, Jonathan L
ORANGE: Massimo, Chetan, Gregorio, Davide, Bijian, Jonathan R, Ran, Andrea R, Francesco, Adam