MD 19: FC BERLIN 5-0 KS WARSAW

Floyd Finds Form and Fantastico's Farewell

By: Drew Peacock 🦚

After only five matches, Warsaw heads to Berlin to face off against the German giants once again. In their previous encounter, Warsaw struck first, only to crumble and lose two goals to one. This time out, we see two clubs moving in opposite directions. The hosts, Berlin, have been strengthening their team and improving their position in the table, while Warsaw has been in a free fall, losing 5 of 6 since beating title favorites Vienna Kontinental.

The first half was nothing short of a dominant display from the home side. They broke through the frail Warsaw midfield for four goals before the halftime whistle finally blew. Star Player Floyd Lawton found more than enough space to give his side good scoring chances. In the 23rd minute, Keitel found himself one-on-one with Francis O'Brien and was unable to score, but Lawton was able to recover and find Fantastico who scored his fifth goal of the season. In similar fashion, the combination of Lawton & Keitel was able to connect for two more quick goals in the 41st and 43rd minutes. And finally, just before halftime, recent academy graduate, Gabriel Salaszar, scored his first goal for his club.

In the 54th minute of the second half, Fantastico would return the favor to Lawton, providing a sumptuous ball from the left wing for him to head into the net. That goal would give Lawton his fifth goal contribution of the day, recording one goal and four assists. Warsaw had no answer to the high-powered Berlin attack or their formidable defense.

The win gives Berlin a much-needed three points and helps them jump from 11th to 10th on goal difference. As for Warsaw, the loss puts them into the relegation zone, behind Belgrade on goal difference. After the match, it was confirmed to the press that Diego Fantastico had played his last match for the club, confirming that the rumors were true. The Argentine attacker will be heading West to London, putting himself in the heat of the title race. Additionally, defensive reinforcements would be arriving as Bernard Beckbauer would be leaving Vienna in favor of Berlin.

Berlin signing Vilohith Patha, who joined from Warsaw, was not involved in the match against his former club as there was confusion over his eligibility. More information on the subject will be released as it becomes available. He offered nothing about his situation, other than that he was sure that Warsaw would have a difficult time after both he and Xavier Leftwich exited the club.

Lawton had this to say after the match:
"This wasn't the Warsaw I remember. It was a Warsaw ransacked of it's players. Even though I had the best match I ever had being involved in all of our goals resulting into four assists and a goal, it felt empty. There was no glory to gain here. First half of it there was hardly a Warsaw player in the midfield while their upper wingers hardly moved from their spots. It was like beating an empty husk while all life had already left from it."

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