Jardim lined our team up in a traditional 4-3-3 for the first half perhaps giving an indication of our preferred formation for the season.
Perhaps it is best not to read too much into the formation as we swapped into last seasons 4-2-3-1 after halftime. Anyway we were facing a decent enough opponent in Farense on their home ground so tonight would be a good test for us.

As for the game itself, it began at a fast rate and continued at this pace throughout the first half. This was a marked improvement on the games played in Austria although this was to be expected as the players were getting fitter. Our passing and control of the ball were also much improved and we had the lions share of the ball possession in the half.
As for the chances, Pantelic and Chumbinho both had chances on goal but it was Fetfatzidis who caused the Portuguese the most problems with several penetrating runs from the right hand side. Pantelic had a good chance of scoring in the 15th minute but saw his shot saved by the keeper. In the event it was Fetfatzidis who was responsible for the opening goal. His break into the box being too fast for the defender who brought him down with a trailing leg for a penalty. Pantelic converted and so the score at halftime was a deserved 0-1 to us.

The entire team was switched at halftime and so the dynamics of the match also altered. Our second half was played at a more sedate pace and we didn't push forward as much as we had in the previous 45'. We did still have some chances on goal and Mitroglou had a shot early on which unfortunately didn't have the power to beat the goalkeeper.
After the new team had settled we started to control the game once again, winning a few corners and generally pressurising the Portuguese defence. In reply, Farense had their seemingly first chance of the game with a header on goal in the 73rd minute. Abdoun was tripped in the box during the 78th minute for a second penalty. He converted this himself to seal the victory and then scored a second goal (our third of the game) in the 87th minute. This goal was a pure mistake from the Farense keeper as he went to the edge of his area and promptly threw it to Abdoun who then had an empty net at his mercy.
Overall we had a fine victory and we can now look forward to Newcastle on Friday night.

Fonte: Ultras Gate 7