Portugal vs RBBFC1 Derby day. Nothing beats a good bachalau for lunch. Lineup: Metz - Dubois - Groot - Si M’hammed - Norton - Verkaik - Chavanne Borgogno - Jane-Aluja - Novak - Bitom Eyene - Mineo Subs: Dunn - Deschamps - Donner Not much had to be said about this game. Everything is known in advance. Two good teams who always go for a win. A guaranteed spectacle. I always feel it is the only real (old) derby. I’ve had ups and downs with these guys over the course of a decade and on many occasions I’ve been annoyed with how well they’ve kept the ball and worked their way round the pitch. But on a few occasions it’s been the opposite and this Saturday was one of those days, a marvel to play, absolute joy to watch I am sure. I’d just say, remember it because of we can play against them like this, with so much confidence and comradery, then we can beat anyone. Onto the game - great start into the game for us besides the shorter than usual warm up thanks to the strict ref. It was clear from the start that if we play quick one-twos and open the lines the ball will find the feet of our player and eventually an opportunity to score. Very soon a nice steal in our half and a one-two between Luka and Josh resulted in a well placed pass into space for Boni who outruns the defence and finds incoming Zebi for 0-1. Soon after 0-2 with an intercepted ball in the same area but this time a beautiful pass from Robinho over the defence and again Boni outpaced the defender and went past the goalie for a tap-in. At least another two clear chances followed with a high cross from Josh and someone being a tiny bit late to better catch the ball. Zebi could have secured his MoM in the next attack but the keeper gies victorious in 1 on 1. As usual, when you don’t score, you concede. Disclaimer, with how well we played and them being harmless I started having clean sheet thoughts. But not the plan of our defence who was unlucky with one clearing allowing Portuguese to get just a goal behind. They’ve hit a crossbar soon after from a deflected shot but it sounds more dangerous than it really was. Straightforward team talk provided a bit more clarity on what needs doing in 2nd half. Close up the game, don’t let them close to the goal and keep them at bay. One such 2min passing exercise by Portuguese defence ended with a well timed interception by Luka and finished with Messiesque placement, with just enough power to find the net past the goalie, 1-3. At that point the opponents fell apart, if not sooner actually. They had nothing! Worth noting were two more opportunities that I can recollect, Boni going around the goalie and shooting wide and then either Boni or Charlie shooting again and almost assisting Andy for his maiden goal. He was a step away. It will come! Sorry if I missed any other great chance. It has been a game with so much action and control that I lost the compass now few days after (even with Veo, thanks Daniel for organising). Overall, another great team performance! A real pleasure to part take. Let’s keep the same intensity and go one game at a time as captirano Max said earlier today. What makes me personally happy is the width of the bench and squad cohesion, no matter who you put or when the person comes on, he makes an impact. This will come in very handy when things don’t go according to plan. But we are the shapers of our own league destiny so just keep it up! Mom reporter Luka Novak