A midfield to dream of (and a very important SAVE THE DATE)

The day started with good news from Gabon where Jonathan is on a recruiting spree for local talents (see top picture). In a moment where countries keep raising barriers our magnetic reach knows no boundaries.
Also today we had our daily intake of rookies, namely Richard a football fluent Brit and Seif, Ziad’s brother, confirming the fine family football imprint. Interestingly Richard is only one of few militant English: as they say, ‘nemo propheta in patria’.
As soon as the formation were announced, what struck pundits was how formidable the Colours’ midfield looked. Other than Yassin, a Messi with three times the Argentinian’s work rate, the diamond shape was completed by no less than Dan, Federico S and Ziad with Julien shielding defence few yards behind.
No back line could rely on only two defenders but given that they were Hossam and Jamie, it surely did. Ready to finalise such fine midfield production were Nizard and Francesco upfront. Colours’ fans were spoilt for choice to the point they didn’t know who to cheer first.
A one way game was a real possibility. Until you looked at who was on the other side: a core of ‘usato sicuro’ (reliable second hand) in Hannes, Massimo and Giancarlo surrounded by exuberant youth, each eager to prove they were the finished article despite the young age.
The game started gravitating more in the Orange half as expected with the Colours’ forwards testing the ever vigilant Paride. The first goal though was against the run of play with Giancarlo managing somehow with a tricky shot to put the Orange in front.
It was like an affront to the Colours: ‘how dared they?’. They managed to restore parity with Federico, only for Giuseppe to give again the lead to the Oranges, making the most of the Colours’ absence of a professional goalkeeper.
It was too much to bear for the Colours who mounted an assault to the Orange defence like an hoard of raging bulls: you could try and stand on their way but were not guaranteed to come out alive.
Nizard was at times unstoppable with his well known yet unpredictable vast array of skills finalised with bullet shots sending shivers down the spines of the Orange defence who was not made by shrinking violets.
Himself, Federico with an opportunistic brace and the inevitable Yassin turned the game around taking the Colours to a comfortable 5-2. The Oranges mitigated the loss with the golden goal, thanks to a double Wittig act with Johannes setting up his Dad for a clever conversion. A conclusion that allowed both teams to celebrate another vibrant fight with no real loser, in fact two winners.
With such a fierce game there was no shortage of Man of the Match candidates. Alessandro R. had a great match with an attitude not seen before tackling his way through the pitch hardly losing possession and always putting the ball to good use. Daniele de Rossi, Roma’s coach commented : ‘had I had Alessandro instead of Karsdorp Roma would be in the EL final and Bayern Leverkusen badly beaten. From now on I’ll make sure I spend every Saturday morning in Kensington Gardens to learn from the best in the game’
Giuseppe brought his trademark vitality into the game fighting in midfield against an overwhelming opposition and managing to score as well. The Wittigs yet again reminded the crowd what they can do both as a team and separate units.
Jamie cut a very composed figure throughout the game at the center of the Colours defence. Like a computer programmed to distribute the ball efficiently he would invariably send the ball to the best positioned teammate as well as being himself in the best position to disrupt opponents’ attacks
The Colours’ midfield was collectively worth the accolade with Dan, Federico S and Yassin also in scoring form but it was Nizard who topped the chart as he very much personified the Colours’ turnaround with his very intimidating presence and ability to take the team behind the line refusing any other outcome.
COLOURS-ORANGE 5-4
GOALS
COLOURS: Federico S (2), Yassin, Nizard, Dan
ORANGE: Giancarlo, Johannes, Giuseppe, Hannes
TEAMS
ORANGE: Paride, Hannes, Massimo, Alessandro R, Federico T, Bijan, Andrea M, Johannes, Sief, Giancarlo, Giuseppe
COLOURS: Hossam, Jamie, Julien, Richard, Federico S, Yassin, Dan, Nizard, Francesco, Zaid
And NOW some important NEWS for everyone.
21 SEPTEMBER 2024 is a full FOOTBALL DADS and KIDS DAY, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Club.
12.00 Kick Off MASTER GAME ANNIVERSARY (MGA) with new Kits
Club des Sports, East Acton Lane
W3 7EX Same as MG9 last year
19.00 20th FDs ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Duke’s Head
8 Lower Richmond Road
Putney SW15 1ER
Please note invite is open to WAGS but no press will be admitted.
RSVP