Post Match Reaction - EFL Cup 1st Round

[Nick@ManCity]

Missing
Betis & Monaco

[JasonH@Wolfsburg]

Atalanta 0-2 Frankfurt

This game was a crucial game for Frankfurt as the gate receipts are huge and much needed to make sure we don’t run into a deficit. We therefore went into the game positively and this was quickly rewarded with a 2 goal lead, but the sending off of our star player meant the game flipped and Atalanta starting peppering our goal with shots. However, Kepa stood strong and we managed to walk away with the win and an entry into round 2.

good game Gary, unlucky.

[Steve@ManUtd]

SHAKHTAR DONETSK 2-0 Real Sociedad

Fantastic result, the money we'll get from his is huge for our club it'll help the slow arduous build to one day move up the leagues. But the game itself was nip and tuck, we didn't want to give up too many chances and keep it tight, Sociedad are a top flight squad and its a bit of an upset for us to beat them by two goals in my opinion but at the same time its cup football and we'll just take the win and move into the next round.

We know we're never going to play anyone off the park and dominate games so we win how we can and it's nice to get the first win of the season.

[Neil@Fiorentina]

PSV 4-3 Fiorentina (after extra time)

Very disappointing result, particularly after being two goals up against my old side.
We had the tactical advantage and looked to playing well, but the defence was surprisingly leaky
Maybe the balance isn't quite right, but it's too early to make rash changes, we were missing Suso but that's no excuse for a poor result, as a good cup run would have been nice.
Only positives were more goals for Diaz and Coutinho, and Suso will be back from suspension.
Good win dude

[AB@Juventus]

Juventus 9 - 0 Braga

A straightforward game against an unmanaged third tier team, who fortunately for us played A as did we. We were able to give a full game to a few of the backup players which was helpful too.

We had a slow start but from the 11th minute we didn't stop. Jordi Alba scored for the second game running to get us started and then goals from Felix (4), Tadic, Davies & Wirtz along with a second from Alba made this a cricket score as we ease into the second round.

We will happily take advantage of situations like these as we will face much tougher opposition in Round 2.

[Marshy@Atletico]

Atletico Madrid 6 Red Bull Leipzig 0

Atletico would dearly love a decent run in the cup this season and a home tie against RBL provided them with a decent change of progression. Early goals opened up the game and Atletico were able to post a 35-23 overal shot count. The scoreline perhaps harsh on RBL who deserved to score a few goals themselves.

Manager Simon Marsh commented "We are safely into the last 32 of the cup and look forwards to the pending cup draw. I am more than happy with the scoreline without a top goalscorer. We managed to get a few minutes for Kilkenny also whos now half way to being retained",

[Sam@Bilbao]

Barcelona 3-2 FC Porto (AET)

"We couldnt get the engine going for the first half of this game, Porto came out the traps and gave us problems straight away, it was never going to be a simple game as Porto are a decent side and will be looking to challenge for promotion this season, luckily the car started and we managed to come from 2 goals down to then force the tie into extra time, Araujo popped up big with a goal just inside extra time and we saw the tie out from there, through in the cup is one better than last season, its going to be important for the financials as well this season, hopefully another decent home tie in the second round"

[Dave Thacker]

Sparta Prague 3-2 RB Salzburg

The was an epic battle against Sparta. After going down to goals in the first half, RBS fought back to level the end of 91 minutes. Extra time did not break the tie and it was time for a shootout. Prague prevailed 4-3 on the shootout and it was all over. This was a very tough loss to take because one of our season goals was to get into later rounds in cup. The Gods of Football had other plans.

[ChrisS]

Union Berlin 2 - 0 Lens

Disappointed to be out of the competition after one match. Lens were thoroughly defeated. I picked a poor time to experiment with our formation and it massively backfired. Good game Andy, best of luck for the remainder of the tournament.