Enrico Pucci
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- Joined
- Nov 22, 2013
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- 2,187
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FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin played at Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark which was just north of the center. Honestly, we could have just walked from Brandenburg Gate. Its one of those old-school stadiums with a track around it. Furthermore, it was nearly empty with most of the fans up under the shade in the main stand. It was more like pandemicball than the full stadiums we were getting used to again.
Muhammed Kiprit had twisted his knee on Thursday, so Saydou Bangura made his debut up top. Jan Hempel has a tight hamstring so teenager Neal Gibs gets the start. Kevin Kraus was great against Werder so he keeps his place over Lukimya.
It was a slow start until the 28th minute. Marlon Ritter chipped a ball up toward Bangura. Saydou flicked it into the space in the left channel and, to nobody’s surprise, Asayamen Osawe was first to the ball.
As I heard the herd from the bench stampeding towards me, Osawe slammed his shot of the second post. The stampede slowed to a groaning, moaning halt.
I was still shaking my head in disbelief when we won a corner a minute later. Kraus slammed Ritter’s second post corner past the frozen keeper.
0-1
I thought we were going to overrun our opponents but they managed to clear two balls off the line before the halftime whistle sounded.
Osawe timed his run as if Bangura was going to flick it and was in on goal.
He did not make a mistake this time.
0-2
At this point I would like to tell you how I subbed out my tiring Captain Jean Zimmer, my exhausted defensive midfielder Niehues and Ritter and how their replacements managed the clock and ground out the points.
Of course, it wasn't like that. Nope, not at all. Actually, the complete opposite. Suddenly, the Berlin team poured down their left flank into the void where my captain had been patrolling.
Avdo Spahik had to make two brilliant, point blank saves to preserve his shutout. Their big forward Benyamina suddenly was getting great service and finding spaces in between our defenders.
The first was a point blank header the 74th minute.
Both Jörg and Lorenzo were up off the bench screaming at Kraus, Tomiak and the replacement defensive midfielder Winkler.
The second time was in the 85th minute when Kraus forgot about Benyamina and he blasted a volley from 5m at Spahik.
“Wow!” I exclaimed as I turned to look at goalkeeping coach Wimmer. Wimmer was off the bench pumping his fists as if his keeper had just scored. In effect, he kind of had.
Jörg continued to yell at Kraus and the rest of the defenders.
The players pulled themselves together after that second scare and saw the match out.
Of their six shots taken and five on target, three of those came between the 75th and 85th minute. Other than that ten minute spell, we were utterly dominant.
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