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Matchday 1

Clash of the big two from last season saw Stoic host Sweaty FC. Although early in the campaign it was always going to be very interesting to see how two of the more settled clubs were going to start the season. Stoic lined up with the usual protagonist Lionel Messi at the heart of the attack whilst Sweaty who usually press relentlessly wore their new tangerine strip.

Kevin De Bruyne was at the heart of the early exchanges showing both guile and execution cleverly linking with the raiding Portuguese full back Semedo on the Stoic right hand side. Messi almost opened the scoring with a snap shot inside the early exchanges. Stoic began to dominate possesion in with Immobile making his PEP return for Sweaty after a few seasons hiatus looked a brooding solitary figure, Isolated and powerless out numbered and facing the impervious Jerome Boateng. With  the homegrown Julian Wiegl initiatiang the attacks as the regista and Eriksen and De Bruyne coming into the half spaces early indications pointed in the diirection of a painful afternoon for Sweaty. Naingollans clever clipped ball saw Costa have a great chance breaking the line and running behind on Goal however Yann Sommers goal wasnt threated as the Brazilian born bullish strikers effort trickled harmlessly wide. Radja Naingollan was covering every blade of Grass and his effort from 20 yards out saw a ruotine save palmed away by Sommer for a corner. The pressure was building.

For all of Citys huffing and puffing they couldnt blow Sweatys house down on the counter Ramsey would often look to Inaki Williams as an outlet, Immobiles shot was deflected just after the 30th minute but you began to sense that Sweaty could be effective on the counter attack. Indeed a Sweaty corner not properly dealt with was recycled by Lallan whose cross was met by El Shaaraway. The italians header was decent and Donnaruma the Teenage Goalie making his debut was easily beaten at his near post. 1-0 Sweaty and very much against the run of play.

The momentum had switched Glik was looking Solid at the back, Ramsey was pressing well in midfield and was making progressive passes was this going to be just one of those days for Stioc City. Sweatys passing was often wasteful and such a wasteful pass was seized upon by the Stoic Defence on 45 minutes, decently constructed attack was half dealt with by the Sweaty defence only for a harmless effort from Naingollan to deflect on the post and then off Sommers back for the equaliser on the strioke of halftime. 1-1!

Halftime, on the balance of play well deserved but you sensed Sweaty were going to have to be more efficient on the counter and Stoic were going to create chances.

City came out fired up in the second half, a brilliant piece of combination play between Messi and Semedo saw the offensive full back clip a great ball in the area, Fox in the box Costa got across the face of the defender to guide in an adorable header 2-1 Stoic and Sweaty were up against it. Both teams were now pressing Lallana and Ramsey for Sweaty whose 2017/18 incarnation look alot more cohesive than last years team. Wiegl covering the back four of Stoic and Naingollan nipping in to intercept, tackle or just devour anyone foolish enough to want to play a game of football anywhere in a 1 mile radius of "That mohican"

Sweaty constantly looking to chuck the ball in behind the back four were getting the game at the frenzied tempo they thrive upon. Stoic were being lured into a basket ball game. Jordi Albas noble attempt to impersonate a Sweaty player was thwatrted as his racking long ball was dealt with by the on rushing Sommer. The pin ball was collected by Ramsey who done the trade mark Sweaty direct transition, Immobile was through and finished without hesitation. 2-2 and Stoic had let the game slip. Ramsey who had been excellent slipped a sumptuous pass to Immobile and how many times this season will we be saying that. 2-2, 68 mins, Game on!!

Sensing the battle was on Weigl who was substituted for Strootman. Perhaps Strootmans fighting spirit and tendency to press aggresivley were deemed more important than the elegance of Weigl whose influence had somewhat dwindled as the tempo of the game had changed. Lukaku was on for Messi with Stoic opting for two strikers and Rakitic was brought on but for Ramsey. Strootman and Naingollan in the midfield, Costa and Lukaku up front Stoic clearly want to impose their will on the opposition can they out Sweaty, Sweaty FC?

This could be anyones game now Immobile now linking with the on rushing midfielders looked a threat, Lukaku getting the ball in the channel only for a professional foul by Sokratis. Yellow Card, Free Kick! Sweaty's best attack of the game initiated by Rakatic saw E Sharraway connect with Immobile. Immobile missed the chance to put them back ahead! Criminal miss.

Stoic were getting back into rythem, Semedo was having a growing influence on proceedings. De Bruyne then clipped a pinpoint cross in the Area, Lukaku rose 3-2 and a goal of pure quality. When De Bruyne is afforded such space to pick a pass the outcome is inevitable, such is the quality of the player that he only needs a moment to unlock a defence and Sweaty didnt do too much wrong.

Stoic could taste blood and Lukaku looked unplayable nodding down the initial long ball. Spinning in behind, racing in on goal only to be thwarted by the Excellent Sommer who pulled of a double save. Sommer pulled of another save from Costa but it was not enough Stoic win 3-2.

Semedo and Naingollan were fantastic as was Immobile. Sweaty defended well but need more quality on the counter attack. Stoic started off well and ultimateley deserved the win. Whilst there was moment of brilliance it was not a convincing performance and the team lacked the attacking qualites we see year in year out. Messi performance was okay but poor from his standards whilst Naingollan done well but could a more creative number 8 helped connect with Messi, Eriksen and De Bruyne more? Nevertheless a very entertaining exchange and the cameo from Lukaku may lead to him starting future games as he looked unplayable.

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GENESIS V RAPID

Genesis lined up in a typical offensive 4-3-3 with two number 10's in Kroos and Silva. One of the most steady teams in the Pep had a consistant line up with Higuain at the spear head of the attack and De Gea in Goal. Rapid countered this formation with a more conservative 4-3-3 with Bakayoko, Veratti and Pjanic in the Engine room providing the base for Gaitan, Ronaldo and on form Harry Kane to lead the attack. At the back Manolas retained his place beside Vertonghen at the heart of the defence.

Both teams looked to impose their composed build up on the game in the early exchanges however a loose ball was pounced on in midfield by the tenacious, Destroyer Bakayoko. Bakayoko's pass was simple to Pjanic who had an acre of space behind the two advanced midfielders of Genesis, the Bosnian shot was solid yet unspectacular and De Gea parried wide however the alarming amount of room he had to operate in was a sign of things to come as the game developed. The resulting corner from Pjanic was pin point however captain Cristiano got underneath the ball only to head comfortable over. An encouraging start for Rapid.

Rapid operating with a frontline press forced De Gea into pumping the ball long however with Jan Vertonghen and Manolas at the back shielded by Bakayoko This route to goal was blocked and cleverly countered by Rapid. After a poor pass in Midfield by Genesis, Gaitan predictbly lifted the ball down the middle to Kane who's shot was just wide.

Neither team were able to really get going after Rapid had the better of the early exchanges. However the high press by Veratti and solid midfield of Rapid meant that they were able to get the better of the early exchanges. On 19 minutes Alex Sandro's clever interception broke down Genesis's attack which had started deep with Higuain. Sandros pass foung Cristiano on the left channel. Ronaldo came inside on his right foot and hit a wicked shot which hit the inside of De Gea's post. Genesis were running out of Ideas, De Gea's Distribution was poor and Higuain was drifting into channels to do the wingers work and dropping deep, the incoherent attacks were forcefully stopped by Rapids back line and the team appropriately dressed in efficient Black would counter swiftly if sometimes hurriedly.

Upon the 30 minute mark Genesis started to enjoy more possesion but in areas that didnt punish Rapid until Bellerins clever cut back found David Silva, who turned well in the box only to drag the shot wide. How many times have we seen Silva find success for Genesis in those type of areas in the PEP over the years. Unlucky! Rapid continued to look menacing with there measured and direct approach. Lloris's assured long pas for Ronaldo was headed down, the knock down was clipped in Behind the defence for Ronaldo to run onto to, only to be thwarted by De Gea... The Genesis goal was living on borrowed time and surely Rapid would punish such basic defensive errors soon.

A basic ball over the top was not dealt with, Kane running away from goal didnt pose an imminant threat however out of desperation captain Godin dived in to give away a cast iron Penalty. Pjanic stepped up and efficiently despatched 1-0! a well deserved lead on the stroke of Halftime.

The second half began as the first ended. Kanes runs were causing all kinds of Hysteria in the Genesis back line. Gaitan clipped a ball in the channel, kane took the defender wide then clipped in a measured cross. With Ronaldo on the left wing nothing clipped in with quality is getting past the first post and the Portuguese talisman rose like a salomon to direct his header in the opposite corner (Jardel eyebrow flick stylie) only for De Gea to save well. Sanchez returned the gesture to clip in a ball toward Gonzalo. The Argentine struck well but Lloris caught the ball easily. End to end stuff, both keepers palms warmed, Game on! Genesis were looking to get on the ball but they couldnt break the intensity of the Rapid high press. Genesis again lost the ball in the first third, in the build up stage of possesion. The ball was sucessfully transited to Kane who drove the ball home 2-0 and the better team were winning. Kroos was dily dalying on the ball and neither he or Silva has been able to get beyond Bakayoko and Verrati who were imposing their considerable will on the eb and flow of proceedings.

Rapid began to move with a rushed authority, like a boxer sensing his fellow contender is ready to hit the canvas quck wins in midfield were followed by manevolant long passes aimed at the either Kane or Ronaldo. Rapid could taste the blood! Huffs and puffs by Genesis were greated with Rapid trying to blow the house down on the counter but the lack of composure by Rapid made for a fast paced Basketball style period of the match that allowed Genesis the chance to potentially claw there way back into a game they had never been in. Genesis's best moment of the match came when a mazing run by Sanchez saw the barrell chested Chiliean blaze inside the rapid defence. His shot was well struck but well saved by Lloris. Surely Genesis have to get the ball out to Sanchez more often!

However today belonged to Kane who was setting, spinning, bouncing and looking like the perfect number 9. A couple of deft touches in the attack saw Gaitan combine with Kane, the English hero's touch was clinical once set in on the keeper. De Gea, Ed De Goey or Ed the duck it didnt matter who was in Goal by the time the keeper had set his feet Kane was wheeling his way toward the Rapid fan, one arm raised in appeal pleading his innocence in not being off side and half raised in elation for finishing the game and silencing any critical voices in the Pep press.

Genesis's manager made a few alterations however his futile attempts to change the game were surely too late now. Victor Moses came on for Kane with CR7 going central for Rapid. Moses joined the press as Rapid once again harrased Matuidi. The frenchman was once again held upside down by his ankles and shaken for his lunch money as Rapid constructed another deirect attack down the jugular of the Genesis defence. Ronaldo was parried by De Gea, De Gea saved the long range return from from Hector but was powerless to stop Ronaldo's follow up. Ronaldo wanted in on the glory and in typical fashion celebrated the meaningless goal as if it were the winner in the Pep final. This was now an absolute Decimation! 4-0 Game done and Rapid looking on Fire.

Synopsis

This game was always going to be won and lost in Midfield. With Matuidi, Silva and Kroos versus Bakayoko, Veratti and Pjanic on paper we could have favoured Genesis to get the better of this. However playing Silva and Kroos so high up as number 10's opposed to 8's and Matuidi isolated as the deepest playmaker, Rapid were able to aggresively press and out number whoever was on the ball and get Gaitan, Ronaldo and Kane front facing or in the channels. If Genesis had got Silva and kroos front facing and runinng off Bakayoko they could have caused all types of problems. Rapid finished well and the use of Kane was masterful. Always playing to Kanes upside and one touch passing and clever movement helped Rapid to demolish Genesis.

Man of the Match: Kane

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FC ALCHEMY V ZEBRA ROVERS

Theres something about this rivalry so sacred and ancient it almost pre dates Religion and the dualistic battle of good and evil. In keeping with the Historical theme son of former Rovers legend Kasper Schmeichel lined up in goal for United and in age old tradition the Brazilian talisman was clothed in the cloth of Rovers, this teams incarnation Neymar yet to show the form exhibited in pre season. However the real key battle was going to be how Kondogbia and Paulinho can deal with stopping Modric supply the ammo for Neymar and Lewandowski.

Both teams started well with deliberate and measured attacks, Neymar recieving the ball on the half turn played a measured ball out wide to Alaba. The Austrian's cross was well placed for the fox of the Rovers box Lewandowski. His effort was somewhere between half decent and par and trickled harmlessly wide. Rovers pressed well and in the early stages where able to recover possession however Alchemy renowned for their defending, defended the key spaces well and never let the dangerous attackers get into the danger zones.

Schmeichel's distribution from Gk's where accurate and deliberate. Adopting a pattern of playing to the wide man, setting then spinning behind Alchemy where able to sucessfully go over the high press that Rovers adopted. Such a move saw a sumptuous pass played in behind to the on rushing Dries Mertens, Mertens finished on the volley with a clinical drive just inside the box. 14th minute, 1-0 and a great move from United.

Rovers adapted and made winning the first header a priority, Neymar now pressing the defenders and GK in possesion and Modric getting on and off the ball quicker than you can shout "man on".  Barzaglis win, Luka Modders one two with Neymar, into Lewandowski... back of the net! Left Foot, Right Foot, Header is there a better finisher in World Football? 1-1... Parity, #roversredemption

At this point it was becoming a tale of two men. Mertens and Neymar where becoming the cheif protagonists. Both scurring around, lurking between the lines looking to initiate mahem in the opposition half. Neymar broke down the left, blasting past the United defenders as if their presence was a mere annoyance and crossed on the outside with his left foot, Lewandowski's connection was true forcing a great save from Kasper. The game was heating up!

on 36 minutes Valencias pass to  Malcolm was an excellent one. The Brazilian got on the Wrong side of Alaba. His cross was then deflected in by Barzagli and United took the lead. Barzagli had been excellent up until that point. 2-1 United.

Rovers drove upfield and Vidal started to commit to the attack. A quick break away saw Draxler feed the ball into Aguero, after a quck exchange of Passes Aguero managed to find the back of the net. 3-1 Great move by United and Zebra with a mini mountain to climb. Agueros back flick in the build up to Draxler was delightful, Draxler wide to Kondogbia... perfect driven cross to Aguero and a great counter attacking goal. 

Second half and the game was settling down. Both teams more educated on the oppositions strengths and both teams poised for one last throw of the tactical dice. Neymar glided past two defenders and shot only for Ramos to do a goal saving block in the box. To the untrained eye it looked irrelevent however the level of defending from Ramos, Chiellini and Barzagli (own goal aside) was top, top draw *Harry Redknapp Voice*

64 Minutes Aguero 1 on 1 miss
65 Minutes Lewandowski drive sails just wide... Next goal is going to be crucial.

"If your names not down your not coming in" 
Georgio Chiellini
FC Alchemy V Zebra Rovers November 2017 AD... Said in the 72nd minute of the game as he crisply tackled the menacing Neymar for the umpteenth time.

"Not tonight... not with those shoes"
Juanfran
FC Alchemy V Zebra Rovers November 2017 AD... Said in the 73rd minute as after Sergio Aguero rounded the goalkeeper and Juanfran stayed on this feet intercepted and Barzagli then cleared the danger.

The game was now being played at a frenetic pace, the quality of both teams was now at the maximum which was making for an amazing spectacle. Rovers attacked, with deliberate patterns, Alchemy countered with game ending intentions.

However the game ended 3-1. United look a well balanced team this year. Kondogbia and Paulinho covered the spaces well and really gave a platform that Draxler, Mertens and Malcolm could play from. Every player performs the role well and Aguero's movement up front occupied all three rovers CB's. Modric's lack of movement and reluctance to get beyond the forwards made the Neymars job harder. Constatley surrounded by defenders he had alot of work to do however if the own goal never came at the time where Rovers where on the ascendency the game could have taken a different course. 3-1 United great game!