Europa League. Zorya beat Leicester at home, but lost their chances to advance from the group

03.12.2020 23:54

Photo by zarya-lugansk.com

In the fifth round of the Europa League group round Zorya Luhansk managed to beat English Leicester at home, however clost chances to reach the playoffs.

Victory over AEK in the previous round she allowed Viktor Skrypnyk's wards to stay in the fight for the second place in the quartet. However, in order to preserve the real chances to reach the playoffs, Zorya had to beat Leicester today and hope that Braga will not win in the parallel game in Greece.

The situation for Ukrainians was complicated by the absence of Khomchenovsky, Tsvek, Rufati and Vernydub. However, Leicester arrived in Zaporizhzhya not in the strongest lineup - Brendan Rogers gave rest to such stars as Vardy, Schmeichel, Thielemans and Evans.

Already at the beginning of the match Luhansk created a good moment, but Ward pulled Kochergin's shot. Eventually, the starting zeal of Zorya gradually faded, and the British began to press. The most active member of the opponent was Under, who in the 31st minute the partners took him alone, against the Turks scored past the goal. Later, a good kick from the rebound struck Tsyganiks, but the goalkeeper of Leicester was on top.

At the beginning of the second half, Under almost hit the "nine" with a long shot, to which Luhansk responded with a shot by Yurchenko into the crossbar after Kochergin's canopy. In the 76th minute after the standard, Fofan got a great chance, but scored higher. Vasyl later saved after a blow from Barnes and Maddison in one attack. Soon Justin from a good position struck past the near corner. And in the 84th minute, Zorya scored: after a wide attack, the ball on the right flank was received by Favorov, whose shot was blocked by Sayyadmanes, who had just come on as a substitute.

Already in the time added by the referee, Vasyl saved Zorya after a great strike by Under. Thus, Skrypnyk's wards managed to beat Leicester, winning the second victory in a row, but the victory of Braga did not leave them a chance to make it to the playoffs.

Europa League. Group round. Group G

5 round

Zorya (Ukraine) - Leicester (England) - 1: 0 (0: 0)

Goal: Sayyadmanesh (84).

"Star": Vasily, Favorov, Ivanisenya, Abu Hanna, Tsyganiks, Yurchenko (k), Kochergin, Nazarina, Gromov (Perovich, 90 + 3), Gladky (Sayyadmanesh, 81), Kabayev.

Substitutions: Shevchenko, Matsapura, Lunev, Agapov, Alefirenko, Piddubny, Grin.

Trainer: Viktor Skrypnyk.

Leicester: Ward, Ricardo (Thomas, 46), Morgan (k) (Fuchs, 56), Seungju (Fofana, 17), Justin, Nidi (Mandy, 56), Chaudry, Yunder, Pratt (Maddison, 78), Barnes, Iheanacho.

Substitutions: Yakupovich, Stolyarchik, Albrighton, Perez, Leshabela, Flynn, Nelson.

Trainer: Brendan Rogers.

Referee: Espen Escos (Norway).

Booked: Gypsy (32), Nazarina (74) - Ricardo (42), Iheanacho (45 + 1), Mendy (58), Fofana (87).

December 3. Zaporizhzhia. "Slavutich-Arena".

AEK (Greece) - Braga (Portugal) - 2:4

Standings

6 round

10. 12.2020

Braga (Portugal) - Zorya (Ukraine)

Leicester (England) - AEK (Greece)