2023-11-14 20:09:00
The Norwegian club had only been drawn from pot four and was therefore, on paper, the weakest club in Group B. In the fight for promotion to the quarter-finals, which was the goal, there was a major setback.
A goal from Maria Mikolajova (68th) in front of a disappointing crowd of only 1,034 spectators was not enough to take anything away. Rakel Engesvik (57th) and substitute Natasha Anasi (79th) secured the away win, which was quite fair given the chances. This was despite Mateja Zver coming very close to making it 2-1 with a free kick off the crossbar (71′). The next task awaits us with the guest appearance at CL record winners Olympique Lyon on November 22nd, an almost impossible task. The French are still in action once morest Slavia Prague in the evening game.
The hosts almost had a dream start. Zver surprised Bergen goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen following just over two minutes with a free kick at the near corner, but the ball went just wide. However, things didn’t continue in this tone; it was clear from the start that the opponent’s quality was clearly above the qualification hurdles of PAOK Saloniki and Valur Reykjavik.
After a corner, Ingrid Stenevik and Marthine Östenstad were dangerous for the first time with a double chance (8th). Other times things got dicey in the penalty area, but the last pass usually didn’t go through. That was also the case for the home team (15th, 23rd). In addition, Melanie Brunnthaler narrowly missed a Mikolajova free-kick cross with her head (30′). On the Norwegian side, Stenevik was unlucky when a header hit the crossbar (37′).
Disappointing start like last year
After the restart, Bergen continued to improve and dominated the action for long stretches. Engesvik (47th) and Amalie Eikeland (51st) missed their chances. There was also a bit of luck during the tour. Signe Gaupset brought down Jennifer Klein with robust physical effort, but referee Riem Hussein allowed play to continue and following her cross, the unmarked Engesvik only had to push the ball over the line. Carina Schlüter saved her team from 0-2 with a save on a Gaupset finish (64th).
St. Pölten stayed in the game and came back thanks to a long-range shot from Mikolajova that landed in the goal via the inside bar. If Zver had put the free kick into the goal shortly followingwards, it might have been three points. That wouldn’t have been deserved. The Norwegians pressed for victory and were rewarded with Anasi’s header. Schlüter mightn’t get to the ball and the “Joker” wasn’t covered well enough. Johanna Renmark hit the bar (82′). St. Pölten’s most dangerous action in the finish was a parried Schumacher shot (86th).
As with the premiere in the “premier class” last year, the first game ended disappointingly. This time, however, the defeat really hurt, especially since it wasn’t once morest a favorite (0-4 once morest Wolfsburg) like back then.
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#Pöltens #women #lost #Champions #League #Bergen
