VFB (0 - 0) SGE – 43'
After blowing the whistle the referee points for a free kick, and the Frankfurt players react to his call. Their coaches run to the assistant to protest with the call. The referee pulls their captain to the side trying to explain the situation while being swamped by everyone their players.
''I understand that the player fell inside the penalty box, but the tackle happened from outside the box which is why is a free kick instead of a penalty. Understood?''
The Frankfurt play
er refuse to understand that, but the coach encourages them to play on. They set up the free kick, at the corner of outside the penalty box. He slowly steps up and patiently looks at how he'll be taking it.
Ioannis waits for the ball to come; he stands over the free kick for 10 seconds as the everyone on the pitch and crowd silently watch him. He finally steps up to take it and with not much power on it and all finesse, he curls it around the wall.
Instead of going over the wall he directs the ball to the side where the keeper is covering, the ball moves with curl and control towards the top right corner. Ioannis tried covering the open area as quickly as possible but realized that the ball is coming towards his area.
While returning he is forced to dive for the ball because it'll be out of reach if he doesn't. The ball looks more convincing while heading to the top corner, with everyone convinced that it'll be a goal.
Although the curl was sharp it wasn't sharp enough and it scrape just next to the goal post and the ball goes out for a goal kick. The crowd visibly reacts to the miss and the player goes to his knees for the miss.
Everyone returns back to their positions and the games restarts, Stuttgart restarts the game, and they start passing it around and controlling possession. They are also trying to reduce Frankfurt's momentum, and they calmly play the ball around.
The ball finally gets to Schramm on the left; with space he holds the ball and scans the pitch for passing options. He sees Felix lifting his hands and running into space down the left side of the defense, Schramm sees the run and he boots a lofted through ball for Felix.
With the ball through the air, Felix and the defender get into a physical duel for the ball that's coming towards him. As the ball approaches Felix, he slows down and concentrates on where it'll land and as soon it approaches his feet.
Without letting the ball bounce and with his first touch, Felix does the Cruyff turn with his right to avoid the defender. All in one movement after doing the turn, he sets himself to shoot he shoots the ball down the bottom corner with low finessed shot.
The ball goes in and it's a goal. As Felix is about to celebrate the linesman picks up his flag and its offside. The game restarts and the play is being controlled by Frankfurt yet again, they play slow and progressively passing the ball around themselves.
The referee blows for halftime and the players head towards the tunnels along with the coaches and substitutes.
Half time: VFB (0 - 0) SGE
As the Frankfurt players walk into their changing room, they seem confident and happy with their performance. Players are conversating about their plays and others are planning on what they could do in the following half, the atmosphere is good in the room.
The coach claps his hands to get the attention of his players.
''Okay boys! I need you to calm down, rest yourself and remain focused. We played well in that half and if we carry on with our usual play, we'll we can go on and win this match.''
The players nod their heads, confidently agreeing with the manager.
''I just need you guys to focus defensively too, they're very good at creating something out of nothing as you saw by the end of the half. Just keep your heads up and focus.''
After his talking to his players, he allows them to regain their energy by drinking water and calming themselves down.
The players in Stuttgart's end are all quiet while the coach is giving out tactical advice.
''Midfield I'll need you to start closing passing options and forcing them to play the ball out wide.''
The manager continues to talk to Leon and Speidel.
''I'll need you too to change positions now and then, since their right back likes drifting into the midfield, we'll need creativity and the pace down that left hand side, so if both of your attack at different times at his end that might throw him off offensively.''
The players agree and after both team talks are done, the halftime break is over and both teams have to go back to the pitch to start the second half.