Toni’s return, Filippo’s own goals and the unlikely effect of a change of shirt
Returning to the game after almost ten months of absence due to injury, Tony could not have wished for a better welcome from team mates and fans. Everyone cheered him and lined up to take a picture with him, especially the newest players, ecstatic to be on the same pitch with one of the most prolific and minimalistic scorers that ever played with the Football Dads.
Wearing a very tight Napoli shirt that appeared to be an extra-small, Toni took his usual place in the box of the opponents. A terrifying presence for the Bibs, already worried by having to face an Italian Unbibbed team that featured a compelling mix of youngsters and seasoned players.
Today the match was played as a comfortable 9-side, with both teams enjoying lots of space and action. A much welcomed change after last week’s orgy, when the rules of football had to be bent to allow 24 players to be on the pitch together.
For the first twenty minutes the Bibs managed to keep most of the ball while the Unbibs struggled to do more than three passes in a row. But ball possession is a vanity metric. In football you need to score, and the supremacy of the Bibs remained sterile as they wasted several chances including a penalty.
On the other side, the talent of the Unbibs emerged suddenly when Marco scored the first goal with a venomous strike from a distance. Few minutes later, it was Leonardo to score, bringing the Unbibs 2 goals ahead.
At that point Hannes stopped the game claiming that they were penalised because Andrea was wearing a yellow Borussia Dortmund jersey too similar to a bib. Unfortunately, the Club’s official eye surgeon Vincenzo was not available to express a professional evaluation on the spot but most players agreed that there was a certain chromatic similarity. It was decided that Andrea had to change shirt and wear a black one.
This apparently insignificant event proved to be a real game-changer. Now free from any colour disorientation, the Bibs started to play more fluidly, finding new geometries, winning most tackles, creating chances after chances and ultimately scoring five times. Diego and Philip both found the goal twice, with one more scored by Ben, although two of those goals were actually Filippo’s own goals.
Now down 5-2, the Unbibs used every last resource to get back in the game. Their efforts, which included an improbable attempt from Francesco to send a cross in the box with a bicycle kick, were not enough and were rewarded at the end with just a final goal, setting the score at 5-3 for the Bibs.
Unable to play due to shoulder issues, Tony L was on the ground, taking pictures and enjoying the experience. “When I play in goal I have to be super attentive and don’t often realise the beauty of the play.” he commented, “For a change, it was really nice to watch the match as a viewer, and now I understand better why our fans are so loyal”.
Massimo (who has also been missing from the game for a long time) was also seen by the pitch, walking his dog. As soon as the fans spotted him they started to call his name, and the Italian players sighed, thinking how different the match would have been if he was playing with his usual Cannavaro-style in defence.
“I am really happy to be back” said Tony S after the match, revealing that the Napoli shirt was actually an XXXL before her wife shrunk it by washing it with the wrong program. Surprising the marriage is still solid.
Questioned about scoring two own goals Filippo was not apologetic “Playing in defence I never have many chances to score, I know I am not going to win the Top Scorer Award. But that’s not fair.” he said after the match. “I think there should be also a table for Own Goal Scorers”. The proposal might be discussed at the next Board meeting. After all, he may be right.
BIBS (Rest of the World) – UNBIBS (Italian) 5-3
TEAMS
BIBS: Andre’, Hannes, Hossam,Chetan, Ben, Julien, Philipp, Victor, Diego
UNBIBS: Filippo, Federico, Francesco, Giancarlo, Marco, Tony, Leo, Giacomo, Andrea
SCORERS
BIBS: Diego 2, Philipp, Ben, Filippo (Own Goal)
UNBIBS: Marco, Leo, Giacomo