It’s the Round Game on this most spectacular Wednesday. Winless Hellas Verona will be playing Top6 side Como at lunch with Arsenal hosting Brighton directly afterwards. It’s 36 and crystal clear from the chair in the back garden. I’ll be right here for both of them.

Leaves are clinging to limbs, but the inevitability of Fall is upon us. Many trees have shed the extra weight for the winter and are ready to be photographed for someone’s book of melancholy things, but the hibiscus bushes and crepe myrtle in this garden sport an abundance of drooping green leaves, heavy from the overnight frost. If you position the chair just right, it still feels as lush and abundant as it did back in July only without the white, pink, and lavender blooms–And instead of sweat pouring, it’s hands and nose freezing. I’ll take the latter.

This is a winter bred husky. A Winter bred husky doesn’t do well when it’s 100 but thrives in the cold. If it’s cold enough for a vest and a beanie then it’s prime weather for a Winter Bred Husky. Dick Fowler types can take the Summer. Guys like him are born to be in the heat all day.

So, the games come on in a bit, and I’ll be right here in the garden watching. The sun will have warmed it to near 55 by then. Should be perfect

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Hellas Verona at Como

This game is set to kick in just a few minutes. Como is coming off their 0-0 draw this past weekend which was a game that Head Coach Cesc Fabregas will know his side could’ve won.

Hellas Verona has yet to win this season

The shores of Lake Como are far from placid or picturesque as they have been in previous games. The Italian Air Force Meteorological Service has issued a “Rain Warning” for Lombardia and the fans inside Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia are feeling every drop. Yellow rain jackets and tiny tykes nestled under umbrellas sparsely scattered in the Cobalt blue seats. The owner’s boxes look cozy and dry.

Being that this is a game that is almost a guaranteed victory and the weather taking its toll, many fans have stayed home and are reserving their voices for the upcoming road match against top side Napoli on Saturday. My only hope is that the team does not also take this approach.

My days, this looks to be a miserable night in Como, Italy. Raining about as hard as it could without forcing the referee to suspend the game. Steady, driving rain pelting the stoic faces of the players walking up the stairs to the pitch. 55 and raining. I guess it could be worse. Could be 50.

The 9-10 thousand fans that are in attendance are in full voice battling the conditions. Singing at the top of their lungs, “COMO, COMO, COMO” which is a line to an Italian song with a very uplifting melody. I believe there is a fiddle solo somewhere in there. I’m still a brand new out of the box Como fan so I’m learning the pageantry as I go. It’s a neck hair raiser of a song.

Now, pageantry aside, there is a game to be played.

Hellas Verona as mentioned are winless and will be playing their traditional 3-5-2 formation out of the gate with Como in the usual 4-3-2-1. Paz centralized at the 10 it seems. Let’s play ball lads.

FIRST HALF

The Greek Douvikas opened the scoring in the 9th minute on a power header from six yards away. It was a no doubter. GOAL 1-0.

Verona perhaps showing early signs as to why they have yet to win. From the first whistle Verona sat back and invited pressure and this led to an early onslaught by the Como attack. Paz hit the post just two minutes before the goal was scored.

-18th minute. 1-0. Easy so far for the home side. The fans that are embracing the elements look to be full of joy. Those hunkered under tarps and raincoats look next to miserable. “Embrace the suck.“- probably David Goggins

25th Minute GOAL Hellas Verona

It was a nervy three minutes or so by Como defensively and a poor pass from the back left the Verona man one-on-one with the keeper for an easy finish. There is a much better energy and approach coming from the yellow jerseys. 1-1

-36th Minute and this game is intense. Physical and fast paced. The referee is welcoming this level of physicality that seems to be favoring the desperate visitors. Como is having to adjust their style and a few of the players are taking exception to the extra elbows and niggles. Roll up the sleeve’s boys. It’s time to work.

Yellow Card Hellas Verona 39th Minute

This one was needed. Someone was going to get hurt with this much fast-paced unchecked aggression. The players look ragged on both sides. Cesc looks comfy in his Puffy jacket and ball cap. The fans are still as loud as ever, and the stadium is much more filled than it was at the start. Over 12,000 in attendance. Not bad for a stadium that holds 13k on a rainy weeknight against a last place team.

HALF 1-1

The rain continues to pour in Como, but it’s sunshine that is pouring here in the desert. Nearly the same temperature but far different environments at the moment.

Hellas Verona are in this game because of their scrappiness and some sloppy play by the home side. That’s it. Como are the better side, and it shows but a different level of toughness both physical and emotional will need to be shown in the second half in order to ensure a victory. Remember, a victory means that Saturday’s game against Napoli will be a top5 matchup and if they win that one, they would move into second place. This is the first half of the first game in a massive week for Como. This is a must win. Saturday will be intense, and a draw will suffice but these are the games that Championship sides win. “COMO, COMO, COMO!”

SECOND HALF

Yellow Card Nico Paz 54th Minute

This is about as wide-open as I’ve ever seen a soccer match played. Plenty of chances for a referee’s whistle but he is letting everything go. This is up and down like a full court basketball game.

Yellow Card Hellas Verona 59th Minute

The ref is stepping in when he feels the physicality has gone long enough. In between these yellow cards were about 6-7 shots combined from the two teams and some absolutely entertaining midfield ping-ponging. This is a blast to watch but soccer purist will feel that this is a sloppy game.

GOAL Posch 61st Minute
- 1st of the season

Another absolute no doubter of a header. He was never going to miss from there. A beautiful ball from the right curled in and he slammed it into the net from about three yards. 2-1 COMO.

-It’s time for Como to take the pace out of this game and gain some control. The fans are loud and behind them and they have a lead at home with Napoli on deck. No more mistakes. Enjoy some possession.

-67th Minute that said, Hellas Verona insist upon pressing and playing a high line, so scratch that–go get a third. The defense is about to give Como another chance with these desperation sort of tactics. This team may be winless, but there is want and desire in the reckless way in which they play.

-80th minute and this game has slowed in favor of Como. 2-1

-86th Minute: Como needs to tighten up on defense. Sloppy play led to the first half goal and nearly the same just happened. Ticky-tacky passes between the goalie and center backs have been the home side’s only vulnerability. Let’s hit the clear button Cesc.

GOAL 92nd minute. GAme over. 3-1. Vojvoda drilled it home with his right foot from 12 yards out. A pure power blast past the outstretched goalkeeper.

Only 90 seconds left in stoppage time. This has been a lot of fun to watch, but now it’s time for the Arsenal game which kicks in fifteen minutes. Time for a quick coffee.

FINAL 3-1.

There are some bruises and limps, but Como gets the deserved win and are now in the top 5.

5th Como at 1st Napoli 11:00 11/1 on Paramount+ Must Watch.

“COMO, COMO. COMO”

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Brighton Hove Albion @ Arsenal

This is a win or go home game that will see the winner move on to the last eight of the Carabou League Cup.

-Brighton are seeking their first ever trophy

ARSENAL XI

GK Kepa Arrizabalaga
RB White
CB Mosquera (21)
CB Piero Hincapie
- 1st Arsenal Start for the Ecuadorian.
LB Lewis-Skelly (18)
CM Christian Norgaard
CM Merino (c)
CM Nwaneri (18)
RW Max Dowman (15)
ST Andre Harriman-Annous (17)
- 1st Ever Senior Team appearance
LW EZE
BENCH: Just about the strongest in the world tonight.

-Saliba, Odegaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Havertz, and Gabby Jesus on the injured list.

Backups all across the pitch for this cup tie. I love it. Let the young boys win one. Leadership and experience will come by way of White, Eze, Norgaard, and Merino, but everybody else is still damp behind the Dumbos. This is absolutely a game that Arsenal should win at home. COYG!

It’s 50 degrees and calm in North London with a packed crowd inside the Emirates. The emerald carpet looks pristine. “NORTH LONDON FOREVER/ WHATEVER THE WEATHER” the fans sing loud and true.

FIRST HALF

Big Save Kepa 8th Minute

A sloppy pass from Norgaard led to the break and Kepa rescued the team from the vulnerable moment with a strong save. Both sides attacking.

BIGGER MISS Brighton. 9th Minute.

Brighton was one-on-one with Kepa off a poor corner kick and the attacker missed the entire goal. Should be 2-0 at this point. Arsenal are damn lucky. Very poor play from the midfield so far. Merino is a massive liability in a game like this with his molasses-like pace. Bruce’s neighbor, Jean has better acceleration than this guy. I like the player, just not in midfield.

-Nwaneri and Dowman both look lively. Both want the ball and when they get it are ready to advance and explode forward. The first goal from open-play might come from one of these two.

-Andre is doing a good job mixing it up with the adults up top. Honestly, every player looks up for the challenge. Merino just needs to stay in position. He just doesn’t have the pace to track back when Brighton breaks.

-Brighton have more than a couple of lively players themselves. Eze has pulled in from the left into a more centralized role to help stabilize the midfield. Brighton’s #17 has gashed us a couple of times. Eze is man-marking him currently.

-61 degrees, sunny and calm from the garden chair. The game on the TV can be seen through the open glass patio door. I’d say that I have just about the best seat in the house for this one. That is–if the camera would show me what I want when I want. Too many super close up shots when I want to see the entire field. This sunshine is more precious than anything in the present.

-29th Minute and Brighton are the better side so far. Winning free kicks, making clever bursts, and taking advantage of the youth on the field; they are doing everything but finishing the goal. We know what that’s like. Still 0-0. 8 shots for the visitors, 2 for Arsenal.

-Nwaneri and Dowman continue to push the envelope for the Gunners. The game is running through the two of them. Both are hungry for a goal. Mosquera has been a rock at CB when called upon.

Yellow Card Brighton 33rd Minute

Easy call in a dangerous area. Just outside the top left of the 18 yard box. Excellent play from Lewis-Skelly won the foul…Eze is over the ball for the free kick–harmlessly into the wall. 0-0.

HALF 0-0

Big sigh of relief to make it to the half without conceding. This first half clean sheet is certainly not because of stellar defense. Let’s regroup and work on the midfield positioning. Giving up too much ground between the boxes. Nwaneri, Norgaard, and Merino are the culprits. Certainly room to improve.

Notable Halftime Scores:

Spurs 0 @ Newcastle 1
Crystal Palace2 @ Liverpool 0
Man City 1 @ Swansea 1

SECOND HALF

-Arsenal sticking with the same squad. Brighton made one change

-Dowman and Nwaneri are fluid off of each other straight out of the gate. Explosive play early in the half.

-MOSQUERA!! Recues Norgaard’s lazy pass back that left Brighton with a clear goal chance…Mosquera is unbelievable. Near as good as Saliba at right center back. Elite instincts. 0-0 but another big chance missed by Brighton. 48th minute. 11 shots to the Gunners 4.

GOAL!!! 57th Min. It’s a beautifully worked team goal that Nwaneri finished off. Merino, with a clever flick, Lewis-Skelly with a perfect low cross and Nwaneri with a smooth finish into the bottom right corner. Seven Gunners touched the ball in the buildup, and all were perfect in their role. 1-0 ARS!

We needed this. Now, let’s either pile on or play better on defense.

-Brighton Subs three 66th minute. Arsenal still with the same group that are playing much better since the goal.

-70th Minute Arsenal subs: Timber for White, Gabriel for Hincapie, Saka for Dowman. Max received a standing ovation for his energetic contributions. Let’s get Andre a goal from a Saka cross. I see it happening. #71 is red and white is putting in a hard effort against grown up men at center back.

-74th Minute and Arsenal are terrorizing Brighton at this point with attacks. Three corners and five shots since the substitutions. Saka is playing with purpose–he has also assumed the role of on-field Captain.

GOAL 76th Minute. It’s Saka! 2-0 ARS.

Timber with a burst and then beautiful threw ball into Andre who put a venomous shot in on goal. It rebounded directly to the Star man and he didn’t miss.

-Declan on for Andre. Merino moves up top and Declan at the 6.

-12 Shots to 14 now. Brighton have completely blown their chance to get something from this game. These Gunners are in complete control. 79th minute.

-You know? You’ll have to have a little luck to win tournament games. Anything can happen in a one game playoff. Arsenal dodged some bullets, took some blows but remained firm long enough for their own luck to spring. When the moments have been in front of them, they have taken them. Seven minutes to go in the ninety.

-Sub- Trossard on for Eze to face his former club.

The Emirates is beginning to empty as the home fans are satisfied with the 2-0 scoreline with three minutes to go. The Away corner of the Emirates is still as tightly packed as a sardine can and rambunctious. They made the trip–they are having their fun.

FINAL Brighton 0 @ Arsenal 2

Arsenal will await the announcement of their Quarterfinal opponent which is done via lottery balls.

Notable Final Scores:

Spurs 0 @ Newcastle 2 (In the final Ten Minutes)
Crystal Palace 3 @ Liverpool 0
Man City 3 @ Swansea 1
Chelsea 4 – Wolverhampton 3

What a day of midweek Round Game. I love football. Round or oblong. Both of these games were gripping. Everything the beautiful game is about–except for the weather in Como. Nothing beautiful about watching the rain for 90 minutes.

Hope you are well on this Wednesday afternoon. The fuzzy snores. It’s about time for a walk.

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.

The Round Game: Como and Arsenal