Five minutes have passed since the goal, but FG are still maintaining their possession. They are passing the ball faster and with more precision, and their players have decided to stick to their positions. Both teams remain disciplined in both defending and possession.
"They don't look like they're worried at all about the goal."
"Maybe it's part of their plan. If I were playing, I'd have more urgency to get at least an equalizer."
The ball goes back to the LCB, who runs forward with it and looks up at his options upfront. Their ST holds his body against Jonas (LCB), and they push each other inside the box. Once FG's LCB sees an opening, he whips in a strong cross with impressive left-footed technique. The ST jumps, and Markus tries to challenge him in the air, but the ST wins the aerial duel and connects with the ball.
The header is well-timed but goes off target, missing the side of the goal. The ST sighs and apologizes for missing the opportunity. The players quickly get back into position for a goal kick. Lukas kicks a long ball towards Leon, who battles with the LB behind him. They both jump at the same time, but Leon wins the duel.
The ball is accurately headed to Nico (LB), who controls it after it bounces in front of him. The CM closes him down before he can dribble forward. Nate moves closer to receive the ball, but he is tightly marked by the DM.
Nico passes back to Jonas (LCB), who then passes to Max (RCB). Max threads a pass through the middle, bypassing the ST and AM. Karl receives the ball but is quickly pressed by the CM. He releases it as quickly as possible to Felix, who then delivers a strong and fast pass to Che waiting on the byline.
Che scans the pitch, waiting for an opening to release the ball. The RB is watching him closely but avoids blindly charging in. Instead, the RB strategically blocks Che's passing lanes to the middle, forcing him to either pass back to Felix or try to make a run down the byline, where he could be trapped.
Che feints to his right, causing the RB to react. He feints again to his left, and the RB falls for it. Che executes a quick drag-flick, moving the ball from his left foot to his right before pushing it forward.
After running a few steps, the RB recovers quickly. Sensing he won't be able to outrun him, Che immediately stops, causing the RB to overrun him, unable to halt his momentum. The RB tries to grab Che's shirt to stop him, but it's too late. Che changes direction and sprints toward the middle of the pitch.
Finn drops into midfield for support. Che passes to him, and Finn, with his back to goal, is immediately pressed by their LCB. Holding the ball for too long, Finn loses possession as the LCB smartly steals it and knocks him to the ground.
The LCB initiates a counterattack for FG, and their players surge forward. Che, close by, tries to dispossess the LCB but is overpowered and sent tumbling to the ground. The LCB powers forward with the ball and passes to the CM, who plays a perfectly timed through ball to the ST on the left. The ST bursts past Max at full speed.
As the ball slows slightly, Lukas sees an opportunity to intervene and rushes out. It becomes a race between the LF and Lukas. The LF accelerates, reaching the ball first and knocking it past Lukas. Despite the awkward angle, he takes a left-footed shot at the open goal.
The ball rolls slowly toward the goal, with everyone watching intently. Just as it approaches the goal line, Jonas slides in and clears it away, sending the ball out for a throw-in. The KVA players rejoice at Jonas's heroic save and rally their energy.
"Next one!"
"Get the next one!"
FG's players don't seem fazed by the missed opportunity. Calm and composed, they focus on the play ahead of them, appearing unfazed by their errors and instead concentrating on what they can do right.
The throw-in is taken quickly, and FG begins showcasing the fast, high-energy football that KVA saw in video analysis. Their rapid passing moves the ball to the RF, but his shot sails over the goal.
KVA's defensive line remains deep, avoiding another counterattack and refraining from pressing. Lukas takes the goal kick, directing it to the unmarked CM, who controls it skillfully. The LF positions himself on the last defender's shoulder, next to Max. The CM spots the opportunity and lofts the ball over the defense, knowing the LF's pace will outmatch Max's.
Jonas moves to cover, chasing down the LF. As the LF reaches the ball, he notices Jonas bearing down on him. Realizing his RF partner is unmarked, the LF sends a low cross into the box. The RF receives it cleanly.
The striker is now one-on-one with Lukas, who charges out to narrow the angle. This time, the RF makes no mistake, calmly placing the ball into the bottom-right corner with his right foot.
It's a sure goal. The FG players erupt in celebration.
Score: KVA (1-1) FG 45th minuteScorer: Florian (assisted by Malik)