Diego the third: nomen omen

Technically it was a match that should having been postponed owing to the frozen pitch but when the Ref looked around and saw that not a single seat on the stands was empty despite the sub-zero temperature, he didn’t not have the guts to inflict such a disappointment on so many people who would have otherwise headed back home empty handed for a miserable weekend.

The wealth of eager players waiting for the kick off whistle also suggested that any decision other the one to play at any cost would have been self inflicted pain. Besides, postponing the match to another day in a different time slot would have exposed the CLUB to potential liability in terms of TV rights.

In fact not everyone knows that the 10am slot on Saturday was not chosen lightly: accurate studies found out that it is the one time that maximise viewership at a global level, factoring in the different time zones. Change it if you dare at you own risk. Nobody did it, nobody will do it.

For these and many others reasons kick off whistle brought with it both a contrasting sense of relief and inevitability. It was Football as usual with 18 ice warriors ready to fight a hot game to the last ditch.

There was no need for the Colours to waste time about the right formula as they looked beautifully and naturally balanced on the pitch: Anton, Hannes and Thomas could guarantee a rock solid defence with the added ability to start a counter. Andrea M, Diego F and rookie Federico able to master midfield as well as to painfully offend Orange defence. Mohammad and Giacomo (seen in pre-match with a promising Harry Potter look) as the deadly terminals of the productive work of the whole team.

All of this with Paride as as an invulnerable guardian locking the door to any Orange running around with malicious intentions.
Orange Team countered with experience to fight youth with at least one senator in every key part of the pitch to oversee operations and dictate the direction of the game and at times slow down the tempo to contain the fast and furious Colours’ players.

Alessandro, Massimo, Julien, Francesco, Giancarlo and Nizard had won already many battles together and were only too eager to show the way to their offspring Yuv, Al and Andrea R. It was Mohammad to literally break the ice by scoring the first goal to direct the match to a downhill path for the Colours. Diego and Giacomo also inflicted pain right and left with a brace each. The first of Diego goal was like a PlayStation one with dummies, dribbles, sitting defenders along the way. A goal reminiscent of that scored by Mesut Ozil v LudogoretS.

With all due respect for the Bulgarian team, Diego here had to cope with of a rougher pitch and much stronger opposition.
On the opposite front the dynamism and physical exuberance of Nizard who put his strong feet to work again, produced a brace who kept the Orange in contention.

Yet bookmakers refused to alter the odds and stuck to Colours cruising to victory courtesy of Giacomo hitting the net twice and Ludovico also scoring on his debut as proper Rookie do. A remarkable feat as the Italian from Rome played with flat-sole sneakers and spent most of his energies just trying to stand. Nevertheless his contribution as an anchor midfield player was felt and appreciated by the fans who yet again marvelled at the CLUB reiterated recruiting skills.

Giacomo sealing the fate of the game by scoring the golden goal was the inevitable conclusion of a fierce game whose finale though looked predictable.

Also the Man of the Match award was consensually won by Diego F who mastered midfield and scored with an ease and style reminiscent of the best Frank Lampard, adding on top the flair naturally associated with Italians.

He is only the third Diego gracing our pitch after our Argentinian Diego A. who could not resist a move to Spain and our Kid Diego D who terrorise defences whenever he plays. Diego: it must be in the name. Nomen Omen.

COLOURS-ORANGE 6-2

GOALS

COLOURS: Mohammad, Diego (2), Giacomo (2), Federico

ORANGE: Nizard (2)

TEAMS

COLOURS: Paride, Anton, Hannes, Thomas, Andrea M, Diego F, Federico, Giacomo, Mohammad

ORANGE: Alessandro, Massimo,  Al, Yuv, Giancarlo, Julien, Andrea R, Francesco, Nizard