F.C. Internazionale
Division 2d, Hattrick League
Manager: Codespyder
Defensive masterclass
Parkway Forest FC came up against their bête-noire FC LULE on Saturday in a clash that would see the winner go first in Div 1a at this early point in the season.

Forest had dropped all six matches against LULE, who on paper are the strongest team in the division. Moreover, in many of the matches, Forest manager codespyder had been absolutely outfoxed tactically.

Going into the match, codespyder decided to try something different. After all, trying the same 4-5-1 or 3-5-2 against the LULE midfield juggernaut had gotten nowhere. What's the worst that a new formation would do, apart from meet the status quo of yet another loss?

Therefore, codespyder opted to bypass the opposition midfield directly and shut the door on the strong offense by setting up in a rarely-seen 5-2-3. LULE had successfully marked the Forest midfield out of the game in recent matches and Forest decided to go the direct route instead, with the defense doing double-duty of killing the LULE attacks and feeding the ferocious striking trident that had bagged 16 goals in all competitions already.

The result... was not one for the neutral, as both sides finished a tepid first half with no chances either way. It certainly didn't help that Forest lost striker Aroldo Coppola to a knock midway through. The second half was only a bit more lively. Each team had only one goal attempt, but whereas LULE had theirs brilliantly saved by new Forest keeper Mauro Areosa, Forest striker Callisto Loureiro buried their chance with 15 mins to spare.

Therefore, the story was written by the defence on both teams. However, Forest's back five each produced an unprecedented performance, besting anything they ever did before. And it will be this defence, which has produced four consecutive clean sheets in the league, that holds the key to a promotion to the top flight.

There are still nine extremely difficult games to go, but with the team sitting in a good position early on, there is hope that the dream may yet come true.

2019-08-06 00:50 4126 Views Reporter: TonyBrazil

Epic season ends with mixed success
Penalty shoot out good, penalty shoot out bad as legendary team seek former glories

Biggest week to come
Greatness awaits but first comes the bogey team

Thank you for the memories
Looking to the future

Shocking revelation
Player would rather be a Bitcoiner than a bit-part corner taker

Title showdown
Dice rolling, god pleading and bombast as division hits a climax
2023-10-01 15:36 Frozen Igloos wins division 4i!
2022-05-10 14:20 Atlin clinches promotion spot!
2022-04-12 22:11 0-0
2021-10-12 01:25 Shock result sees Disco Blue promoted
2021-07-09 09:32 Numero Uno
2021-06-24 08:12 Double Delight!
2021-06-20 13:45 Hattrick of Hattricks
2021-06-06 02:04 Job vacancy
2020-12-01 10:01 From Chumps To Champs
2020-11-25 14:00 Can We Do It?
2020-01-19 10:05 Lucky Play Off Spot
2019-12-14 22:40 There or thereabouts
2019-10-19 19:30 It's Time
2019-10-12 20:07 Challenge Accepted!
2019-10-12 10:02 Lucky Escape!
2019-10-08 10:06 To the Top!
2019-09-11 00:48 Free swing or the beginning of the end?
2019-08-22 21:20 Cup Run End
2019-08-06 00:50 Defensive masterclass
2019-07-18 17:14 More like it
2019-06-26 07:41 Playoff Success
2019-06-05 23:50 "Keep Picking Up Points"
2019-05-19 01:48 Losing the advantage
2018-10-19 17:41 Thriller at the top
2018-08-02 01:17 MOTW and XCL crucial game


Blossoming bridesmaids in Xpert Ladies
In a peach of a season the Blossoms finally do it. Interview includes tips and reflections.

Tigris fantasticus win Team of the Month
Tigris Altaica were running ahead of the pack until almost tripped up by a duck.

Top Man Oafc1972, Top Gaffer
Veteran English manager takes the Manager of the Week for the first time.

Xpert Champions League LXXV
The 75th season of Xpert Champions League has been drawn.

XCL LXXIV (74) Knockout stages to final
For some of X11's strongest teams with the most talented managers it now gets serious

Team of the Month goes to the wire
It is all to play for on the final day, will it be PAIN, PANIC or Lakers swimming in glory?

Matchstick Men make it three!
TonyBrazil rises from the ashes to secure the hat-trick

Golden League 69 is decided on final day
A lot of champions but only one winner

A Spurfect double!
A thrilling four-horse race goes all the way to the final day in the Xtreme League.

SSC1 Tops in Manager Award
American gaffer SSC1 is Manager of the Week for the first time.
© Xpert Eleven AB 2003 - 2025