Europa League. Alexandria draw with Saint-Etienne in home bout

08.11.2019 01:58

Photo by fco.com.ua

The bronze medalists of the Ukrainian championship, as well as two weeks ago, parted ways with the French club. "Alexandria" remained in last place in the group, however, the chances of reaching the playoffs are quite real.

Teams that earned only two points in the previous three rounds of the group tournament met in Lviv. The home team's coaching staff was probably worried about Sital's injury, which significantly weakened the team's attacking potential. However, in the first half, moments in "Alexandria" arose, and Banada was on the edge twice, but in both cases, the French goalkeeper Ruffier managed great saves.

These episodes took place with a score of 0: 0, and then Pankiv did not play in the best way. The Alexandria goalkeeper was late to meet Khazri, who ran away from the defenders, and broke the rules against the opponent. Punishments from the referee were a yellow card and an 11-meter, which was realized by the same Khazri. But judging by the first half in general, the match was quite even, and the Ukrainian team, except for the moment with a missed ball, did not allow the guests to create anything significant.  

After the break, a tough game continued with a lot of struggle, in which Vladimir Sharan's wards were not inferior to the French. But to create a strong pressure on the gates of the guests, who by all means slowed down, was a difficult task. Players of "Alexandria" more often used long passes forward, however, they did not always find the addressee. In the 70th minute, the ball was in the goal of "Saint-Etienne", but the goal was not scored due to offside. And soon the French counterattacked in the center and doubled the score.

However, the guests failed to bring the game to victory. And the goals were scored by two players of "Alexandria", who came on as substitutes. Bezborodko successfully played in the finish after a flank pass and a ricochet from the defender. 1: 2. And Zaderak in overtime took advantage of Ruffier's mistake at the exit and equalized the score. 2: 2.

The whole match for Oleksandriya was played by Pankiv, who is on the list of players called up for the next training camp of the national team of Ukraine. The goalkeeper earned a warning.

Europa League. Group Round. 4 round

Group I

"Alexandria" (Ukraine) - Saint-Etienne (France) - 2: 2 (0: 1)

Goals: Bezborodko (84), Zaderaka (90 + 1) - Khazri (24, from the penalty spot), Kamara (72).

Oleksandriya: Pankov (k), Pashayev, Dubra, Bukhal, Miroshnichenko, Kovalets, Grechishkin, Banada, Luchkevich (Zaderaka, 78), Tretyakov (Stetkov, 86), Shastal (Bezborodko, 46).

Substitutions: Bilik, Baboglo, Long, Teixeira.

Trainer: Vladimir Sharan.

Saint-Etienne: Ruffier, Debussy, Fofana, Perren (k), Kolodeychak, Buanga, Yussuf, Aolu, Norden (Budebuz, 87), Hazri (Gabriel Silva, 72), Beric (Kamara, 55).

Substitutions: Moulin, Mukudi, Amuma, Diusse.

Trainer: Claude Puel.

Booked: Pankiv (23) - Fofana (43), Yussuf (68).

Referee: João Pineiro (Portugal).

November 7. Lviv. Arena Lviv Stadium.

Wolfsburg (Germany) - Gent (Belgium) - 1: 3 (1: 0)

Standings

5 round

28.11.2019

"Alexandria" - "Wolfsburg" 

Saint-Etienne - Gent

6 round

12.12.2019

Wolfsburg - Saint-Etienne

Ghent - Alexandria