APOEL suffered a defeat that significantly reduces their chances of qualifying for the playoffs of the Champions League against Slovan in Bratislava, in the first match between the two teams for the third qualifying round of the Champions League. The Slovaks beat the Blues 2-0 at a hot and packed Narodny Futbalovy Stadion and took the upper hand, with the Cypriot side now looking for a major upset in the second leg at the GSP on Tuesday (13/8). .
From the start, the Slovaks showed more willingness and ability to attack, despite everything, it was APOEL who had the first big chance of the match, when in the 11th minute, Dražić shot from the height of the area, just outside. There was no continuity, however, from the Blue and Yellow side, with the home side pressing better and subsequently having significant scoring chances. In the 25th and 36th minutes, Belets saved his goal in the great opportunities of Strelets and Kutska respectively, while in the 27th minute Weiss' shot was blocked by Dvali.
Even at the beginning of the second half, APOEL did not manage to improve, although after the disallowed goal of Dražić in the 58th minute (Edongala, who provided the assist, was exposed), he seemed to wake up somewhat. Finally, in a period when Slovan did not threaten, they managed to take the lead, with an own goal by Petrovic in the 71st minute after Barseghian's turn, which was initially indicated as offside, but the goal counted after almost three minutes of VAR control. Gaiego's team went up in the last minutes looking for an equaliser, but not only did they not achieve it, but they also conceded a second “knife” goal in stoppage time (90+2') from outside the area shot by Mak.
It is noted that Tehera received his third yellow card in as many matches and is therefore suspended for the replay of the GSP.
The development of the match
End of match
90+4' GOAL, 2-0 Slovan with an excellent shot by Mak outside the area.
< b>90+1΄ Great opportunity for Slovan with a shot by Mak, Belets saves.
-Six minutes of stoppage time.
87' < /b>Chebak and Donis instead of Drazic and Ndongala.
85' Chance for APOEL with Petrovic's header after a free kick by Kitiya, out.
84' Yellow for Kassia.
75' Change for APOEL, El Arabi in place of Meyer.
74' GOAL, Slovan 1-0 via VAR. The Dutchman ruled that there was no offside and with Petrovic's own goal, APOEL is behind in the score.
-The phase is being examined by VAR.
71 Slovan's goal (own goal by Petrovic) is disallowed with an offside signal to Barseghian who took the turn.
71' Dvali's header after a corner, out.< /p>
67' Yellow to Kostantinov.
58' APOEL's goal is disallowed for offside. Endongala was exposed to the crossbar that came out, before turning to Dražić who slotted into the net.
57' Yellow for Bajric.
56' Chance for Slovan with a shot by Strelets, Belets was on hand to collect.
-APOEL continues to be unable to be a threat. He manages to create neither from the axis nor from the ends.
Second half
-One minute of stoppage time for the first half.
44' Tejera's long shot, fell and collected by Takacs.
36' Great chance for Slovan with Kučka (after a mistake by Sušić), from close range with Belets to make a difficult save.
34' Yellow card for Susic.
33' Shot by Barseghian, miss.
27' Slovan threatens again with Weiss' shot just outside the area, the ball hit Dvali's back and went for a corner.
25' First big phase for the Slovaks with a close header by Strelets after a ball from Barseghian, saved by Belets.
18' Yellow card to Tejera. He loses the rematch.
11' Great opportunity for APOEL with Drazic who from the height of the area turned beautifully and shot, just past the left post of Takacs.< /p>
4' Dangerous shot by Tolic, fell and collected by Belets.
-The match has started.
SLOVAN: Takats, Blackman, Kasia, Wimmer, Zuberu, Bajric, Kutska, Tolic, Weiss (90' Marseille), Barseghian (79' Mak), Strelets (90+2' Joke)
< b>APOEL: Belec, Susic, Petrovic, Dvali, Kitiya, Kostandinov, Tehera, Mayer (75' El Arabi), Markinios, Edongala (87' Donis), Drazic (87' Chebak).
SCORER: 74' auto Petrovic, 90+4' Mak /-
YELLOW: 57' Bayric, 84' Kasia/18' Tehera, 34' Susic, 67' Kostantinov
REFEREE: Allard Lindhout ( Netherlands)
VAR: Pol van Boekel (Netherlands)
