Pushing on from their Victory over the Muts last time out, the Clarets needed to continue this fine form into Europe if they had any chance to progress into the semi-finals of the Champions League. A daunting trip to Romania for the Clarets, they knew they needed only to win, regardless of the margin, and they would be through to the final 4. The match finely poised at 2-2 after the home leg.

To better accommodate the opponents, United went with a 4-5-1 formation to help counter the wide threat posed by Lucian FC's attack. This meant that Mohammed and Fabio dropped to the bench with Promut and Nash taking their places.

The match got off to a rather bad start for the Clarets, with Al-Selwi picking up a booking for a silly lunge only 2 minutes in. These challenges usually get off early doors, but the referee was in no mood for messing around tonight, they felt. Thankfully, that is only Al-Selwi's first yellow card in the competition, so he would be available for the semi-final, should the Clarets win.

The first half of the game was mainly contested in the midfield areas with the new adopted formation doing its job of keeping the elusive attacking players away from the goal. Sadly, you sensed that they where not comfortable with this formation, as many players where caught out of position on many occasions, but there was always cover. On 43 minutes this was not the case. Nash found himself too far forward after an attacking break, and Lucian sought to take full advantage. A delightful ball right through the middle allowed the striker to turn and rifle a shot into Kamal's net, 1-0 to Lucian. The away fans looked completely gutted, their European adventure may be coming to an end. The Clarets would now needed 2 goals to win the tie, one goal would not do as Lucian already had 2 away goals from the first tie, so would win on the away goals rule.

On 68 minutes, noticing the new formation was not working as effectively as it could, the manager decided to change his formation back to his favoured 3-2-3-2 formation. This signalled the end of the game for Nash of Promut, with Mohammed and Fabio coming on in their places. Mohammed moved to DMR with Fabio at DML, with both set defensive duties to help the 3 at the back from the wide areas. This allowed Scmidt and Al-Selwi to attack down the opposing flanks without having to worry about losing the ball and having to run all the way back to help the defence. Keane was also pulled off, suffering from the rigours of the last few games, a rest was well earned. Walsh, who has been on fine scoring form came on in his place.

United battered the Lucian defence for the next 15 minutes, the defence doing anything to keep the ball out of the box. Thy threw their bodies at every challenge and defended corner after corner, 9 corners in 15 minutes signalled the way the game was flowing, Lucian where holding on for the win, not too concerned with sealing it with a second goal. On 83 minutes their resolve was broken, when Kotchetov fouled Miswan on the edge of the 18 yard area, the midfielder booked as Miswan was in. A free kick, to be taken by Miswan, 7 minutes to go. This must go in if the Clarets have any chance of salvaging something. Miswan did not disappoint. A looping effort flew over the wall and into the top right hand corner, the keeper did not move, he was resigned to the fact that the ball was beyond him. 1-1 in the game, the next goal wins.

The next few minutes of the game was pure chaos. United sniffed a chance to win the game outright, with the first goal against Lucian going in, they pursued a second. United players flooded the Lucian box in search of that all important winner. Lucian could not get out, every time they kicked the ball away it was coming straight back in from the wings. On 87 minutes, their defensive line was broken, a through ball by Miswan to Walsh, caught the striker on the turn, he swivelled and buried the ball into the back of the net. 1-2 to the Clarets, 3 minutes to go. All they needed to do now is hold on. Try as they might, the momentum was now too strongly in the favour of the Clarets, who spent the last 3 minutes camped inside the opposing half, looking for a third! Fusion United held on for the most unlikely of wins, and find them selves through to the Semi finals, where they will face Montecarlo City.

Final Result: Lucian FC 1(3) - 2(4) Fusion United

In other news, Fusion United, in preparation for next season made the choice to sell Daniel Sturridge to Hafez FC for the fee of $357k. This was not an easy choice for United, as Sturridge was simply too senior at 33 to have any longevity at the club. It was decided by the board that younger blood was needed to aid Keane in his development, so the search begins for a strike partner. In the meantime Fathy, who has 20 goals this season, will be an able deputy.

United also sold Marcus Davies to Azure FC for the fee of $410k, the reserve defender was not being given the opportunities in the first team we felt he deserved so with a heavy heart we offered him the option to move on. We wish both players the best of luck with their new clubs. It is hoped the injection of funds will help untied to sign quality players for next season.

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