Dream League - Week 1 Results

NB. Any prize monies (2M for a win, 1.5M for a draw and 1M for a loss) should be added to your budget only when all 5 results have been posted.

All 5 results are in


Forres Mechanics v Juventus

Forres Mechanics
Rajkovic , Almamy, Barzagli, Denayer , Jackson, Neves, Kante, Alli (Cook), Asensio, Gabriel (Mbappe), Baston (Mayoral)
Subs: Dragowski, Wallace, Cook, Mbappe, Muric, Coric, Mayoral

Juventus
Bizzarri, Fosu-Mensah, Tah , Maksimovic , Masina, Drinkwater, Sanches, Coman, Boufal, Dembele, Aduriz
Subs: Klostermann, Ayala, Mandragora, Pellegrini, Passlack, Leandrinho, Luis Henrique.

Quite frankly not much between these two teams in my opinion, although their style of play differs greatly. I found both managers played to their strengths and clearly knew how to get the most out of their players. Home advantage the difference here and certainly the 2 goal gap definitely flattered Forres (NB. the spins determined this 2 goal gap, If I could have picked the goal difference it would have been a 1 goal gap), but you have to take those opportunities by the horns and that’s exactly what Forres did.

Final Score: Forres Mechanics 3-1 Juventus
Scorers for Forres: Alli (Neves), Baston (Alli), Neves (No Assist)
Scorer for Juventus: Aduriz (Coman)
MOTM: Alli




Blyth Spartans v Tatung Football Club

Blyth Spartans
Buffon , Iorfa, T.Silva, Rugani , Yedlin, Motta, De Sciglio , Cadaldi, De Rossi, Carroll, Lapadula
Subs: Cragno, Caldara, Hause, Mauri, Aarons, Sadiq, Calabria

Tatung Football Club
Alisson, Simpson , Gomez, Vallejo, Duarte, Alonso, Fernandez, Thomas (Kovalenko), Mahrez, Iheanacho, Origi
Subs: Hassen, Diop, Vezo, Leiva, Kovalenko, Oztunali, Traore

Constructive criticism time, Blyth sold me their players in a way only a charming Italian could – but I felt I was getting descriptions of players but not really a picture of how those players fitted into the tactics. Quite clearly the talent is at Blyth, but more focus on tactics is needed I feel.

Tatung has put this squad together very quickly, and that attacking trio is lovely, but I felt that at this stage of the season Blyth had the stronger 11 overall.

So this is Tactics v Starting 11 for me, let’s find out what wins the day!

With the home slots almost equalled out by the fact Blyth didn’t get any sub slots (Blyth didn’t bring on any subs) this immediately levelled the game out. Whilst Blyth had the stronger 11, it was Tatung who took the greater share of the tactics slots and picked up an impressive away win. Yet again the spins gave the 2 goal gap so maybe a one goal win was more realistic, but Tatung won’t be complaining about the final score. Blyth know what they need to do to turn this around, they’ll be back with a vengeance.

Final Score: Blyth Spartans 0-2 Tatung Football Club

Tatung Scorers: Iheanacho (Mahrez), Origi (Mahrez)
MOTM: Mahrez



Pumas de UNAM v Wellington Phoenix

Pumas de UNAM
Pau, Henrichs (Balanta), Christensen , Hernandez, Ake, Kranevitter, Tielemans , Gerson (Blin), Williams, A.Correa, Cornet (Charly)
Subs: Kepa, Aguirre, Balanta, Blin, Charly, Ojo, Ganz

Wellington Phoenix
Howard , Jung, Bailly, Wimmer, Grimaldo, Elneny, Coquelin (Dier ), Gray (Gnabry), van der Vaart (Pandev), Iwobi, Rashford
Subs: Martinez, Arbeloa, Lascelles, Dier, Gnabry, Pandev, Dembele

A couple of very nice looking teams here, with not much between them IMO. Tactics wise both are sound, and although I probably shouldn’t be talking about the previous match – how Tbag has set out his tactics (player by player) shows the depth that Blyth missed on this occasion, I also very much liked the quality detail that LSTD went into throughout his tactics.

This should be a very close game imo, but let’s find out.

Yes I knew this would be interesting, it’s a 2-1 to the home side and as with Forres v Juventus I feel the difference came down to the home advantage that the Puma’s held. The return match later in the season will give Wellington the chance to even up the scores.

Final Score: Pumas de UNAM 2-1 Wellington Phoenix

Scorers for the Pumas; Correa x 2 (1 Assist for Cornet, and 1 for Williams)
Scorer for Wellington; Rashford (Iwobi)
MOTM: Correa



Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski v Edinburgh City

So we’ve got a Dream League debutant in Fud and a very warm welcome to you too. Up against the returning Will who has no doubt honed his defensive skills even further in his absence.
Will loses a slot for the late tactics, but will that be a decisive factor? Let’s find out.

Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski
Mannone, Bellerin, Gabriel (Akpom ), Terry, Vermaelen, Enrique, Essien, De Jong, Campbell, Odegaard, Welbeck
Subs: Stockdale, Stearman, Targett, Morrison, Akpom

Edinburgh City
Gordon, Semedo, Sviatchenko, van Dijk, Tierney, Roberts (Christie), Fernando, Wanyama, Hayes (Walker), Silva (Cummings ), Vardy
Subs: Ward, Simunovic, Evra, J.McGinn, J.Walker, R.Christie, J.Cummings

I like how Edinburgh were set up and good solid tactics on display, however they have got their work completely cut out to break down the Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski Double Decker Bus that they’ve parked in front of their goal. This could be a very frustrating afternoon for Fud against the kings of defending.


Not unsurprising we have a 0-0 draw. Despite Edinburgh’s attempts to break Dyskobolia down, the home team held strong.

Final Score: Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski 0-0 Edinburgh City
MOTM: Terry (Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski)



Fishguard Sports 2-1 SC Cambuur
Fekir(Dahoud) 63, Dahoud(Hector) 87; Janssen(Pereiro) 52
MOTM: Dahoud

A fine game of end to end football with both sides attacking abilities on show, the SC Cambuur front three were particularly bright in the first half, lots of pace, movement and great interchange between the three but Fishuards rearguard stood tall. Although Cambuur took the lead in the second half, in front of their own fans, Fishguards players quality began to show, Weigl and Dahoud got on top of the midfield battle and some magic from Fekir got them back into the game, with MOTM Dahoud eventually winning all 3 points in a tightly contested affair.

Yellows:
Fishguard: Julien Weigl
SC Cambuur: Danilo, Makye, Geferson