Had the most marvelous couple of games with my brother last night. Our Liverpool was top in the CL group and up next were Benfica. A 2-0 loss away where nothing really worked, but we went into the next match hoping they wouldn't score as it would mean we'd need to score 4. We were playing my usual all attack strategy 3-5-2, with me controlling the attack levels. Obviously I had it up high for most of the game but at 70 minutes it was 1-1 and we seemed truly effed. I told him we would need to change something so I went into the game plan and set up my more traditional 4-3-3 strategy, which on paper looks more attacking than the 3-5-2 but is not my go-to panic strategy.
Almost instantly we had two goals in the bag, one of them an absolute cheeky bastard back heel from Firmino, would have looked out of place from any other player. Then with about 5 minutes left, Firmino received a pass on the right flank, I made a turn to beat a defender a few feet outside the corner of the box, and I kid you not, I saw the most desperate, flailing tackle I have ever seen from the AI, as the Benfica defender was not even close to getting the ball or Firmino, it was a beautiful sight and the panic was not unjustified, right after I crossed the ball and my brother was ready as Matip to head it over their keeper.
We both jumped up and did a little celebratory dance which thankfully no one else saw.
Next weekend it's the semis and hopefully the final, where we will bid farewell to CL PES.