German Swiss Old Stars vs. Olympique Gauloise - Match Report

11-a-side friendly matchday against a league competitor, Olympique Gauloise, and our first game on the GESS home turf since the pandemic ! The team was appropriately motivated and joint manager Alp brought his tactics board to explain how the various parts of the team should play and interact together. And the defensively oriented double six of Valery and Martin, together with a rock solid defense four, expertly organised by TK and Michael, did the job, not allowing the French to generate any danger during the first half. Offensively, however, our game lacked bite as we didn’t use the full width of the pitch and left our wingers and center forwards largely on their own against a strong and disciplined French numerical superiority. Consequently it was a goalless draw at the break.
In the second half we wanted to increase pressure by moving the full backs more aggressively forward, when in possession, to create the numbers needed to threaten the French goal. And this approach created the opportunities we were looking for. However, Lady Luck wasn’t on our side as on several occasions, including a header from Alp after a great diagonal cross, we missed the goal by a whisker. On the other side of the pitch a loss in midfield gave the French a counter attacking opportunity in the 57th minute which they converted to take the lead. Desperately pushing forward for an equalizer and opening up our defense, the French were given another guilt-edged opportunity to increase the scoreline. But they missed narrowly. The game went box to box now and with minutes to go Thomas was unlucky to miscue an attempted lob from 20 yards out and seconds later losing a one-on-one against a very solid French goalie. 0-1 was the final score, but overall GSOS played disciplined and good football with nice passing and intelligent moves. Surely a performance to build on in the coming matches.