BARBAGIUANS FINALLY TRIUMPH!
05/16/2023
Third edition of the FIGHT AIDS CUP
Accompanied by the « crazy clowns », the Barbagiuans and the Cirque FC took to the pitch. The Barbagiuans team led by H.S.H. Prince Albert II and the Cirque FC by H.S.H. Princess Stephanie’s daughter, Camille Gottlieb.
The mock kick-off between H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Camille Gottlieb launched the hostilities.
In spite of the charitable stakes, as we could imagine, the competitive nature of all the players was not long in making itself felt. An engaged match, duels… all wanted to win the prestigious FIGHT AIDS CUP trophy. Great technical quality and great complicity between the participants, always delighted to meet again, several years after having been at the highest world level…
One of the YouTube stars, TiboInShape, was well integrated into the squad and stayed on the pitch for a good 15 minutes.
Charles Leclerc, now a regular at the event and with the Barbagiuans, started at kick-off and played 30 minutes. The progress of the Monegasque driver on the pitch was noted. He also showed, once again, his commitment and dedication to represent the values of the FIGHT AIDS CUP.
THE MATCH :
Cirque FC dominated for more than half of the first half. There were plenty of dangerous moves, but no one could get past the Barbagiuans’ goalkeeper, Diego Benaglio, who was omnipresent in the first half, as was the central defence, led by the legendary AS Monaco duo Sébastien Squillaci and Gaël Givet. Cirque FC goalkeeper Sébastien Frey, on the other hand, had little to do.
However, it was the Barbagiuans who opened the scoring from their first chance, against the run of play. After a great team move, Sonny Anderson got on the end of a cross and headed home. 1/0 Barbagiuans.
Shortly afterwards, Cirque FC reacted and equalised through Robert Pires. 1/1
At half-time, the Barbagiuans were dominated, but very solid. The players did not spare their efforts. Louis Ducruet played the whole first half at right back. Very good understanding with his teammates and good level of play.
In the second half, the trend was reversed from the start. Still led by Louis Ducruet, the Barbagiuans took the upper hand over CIRQUE FC in all areas. The introduction of Eric Abidal, Ernesto Javier Chevanton, Ludovic Giuly (at the end of the first half) and Fernando Morientes… to accompany Didier Deschamps, Claude Puel and the others allowed the Barbagiuans to accelerate.
The effects were immediate, Fernando Morientes scored with a superb header and Prince Albert II’s team took the lead in the 50th minute.2/1 Barbagiuans.
Ludovic Giuly added a third goal in the 53rd minute to give the Barbagiuans an early lead. The break was made.From then on, CIRQUE FC resisted the repeated assaults of the Barbagiuans and even managed to create some interesting situations.
A penalty was awarded to CIRQUE FC but the legend Clarence Seedorf failed to score, forced to face a Manuel Vallaurio of the highest level (who came in for Benaglio at the beginning of the second half). Vallaurio’s save keeps the Barbagiuans two goals ahead.
Other chances for CIRQUE FC, still with Clarence Seedorf but nothing to do for the moment, hampered in his shot by the return of Louis Ducruet, still on the field and very involved in the match.
The nephew of Prince Albert II came off the bench a few minutes before the end. He showed leadership in his mentality and dedication to the team.
Despite the fact that Clarence Seedorf reduced the gap at the end of the game (rewarded for his efforts) with a superb goal (91st), the Barbagiuans kept this slight advantage and won, for the first time, the FIGHT AIDS CUP.
3 BARBAGIUANS – CIRQUE FC 2
At the Barbagiuans gala, Ernesto Javier Chevanton was voted man of the match this year and was presented with the trophy designed by artist Fred Allard by HSH Prince Albert II.
Louis Ducruet: « I am very happy with this third edition where the atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic. The players came with a smile on their faces and the desire to put on a show! I thank them all, as well as the partners and volunteers. I would also like to sincerely thank the public for coming out to support a good cause. The FIGHT AIDS CUP 2023 was a great success on all levels. We look forward to seeing you in 2024 and, I hope, even more people! »
