“Kryvbas” played the return match of the third qualifying round of the Europa League against the Czech “Victoria” Pilsen. Both teams made changes in the starting line-up compared to the match in Košice. As for the people of Kryvyi Rih, Lunyov appeared instead of Tverdokhlib in the central midfielder position from the first minutes.
The debut of the game remained for the guests. We could have opened the scoring in the 3rd minute: after a corner kick, Romanchuk headed dangerously past the goal. The hosts responded sharply in the 12th minute, when Vashulin shot from the edge of the penalty area at the second pace – Romanchuk blocked the shot. Subsequently, the same Vashulin committed a foul in an attack on Klischuk, but the referee’s whistle went silent – the Czech shot with his head, but almost hit the goal.
And Klischuk also earned a warning for talking. “Victoria” took possession of a minimal territorial advantage. At the 24th minute, Klischuk knocked the ball out of his goal and brought Prince face to face with Tvrdon. But the porter treated the tanner badly and the moment was lost. After that, the game continued for a long time between the two penalty areas without aggravation.
The activity took place in the last seven minutes of the first half. And we can safely applaud “Kryvbas”. Several cool attacks made the Czechs really nervous. In the 40th minute, a quick counterattack took place: Mykytyshyn shot powerfully from the penalty line – Tvrdon parried in front of him at Kuzyk, who punched the ball into touch – and just missed the far corner! Immediately, Prince put his foot down after a solo pass – into the goalkeeper’s hands.
But the Czechs had the last word before the break – Vashulin shot inaccurately from the second floor. The beginning of the second half remained for “Kryvbas”. Already in the debut, Ponedelnik’s cool throw to the far post was blocked by Dibango, but he missed the near corner… But the hosts realized their moment: an attack from the right flank, a pass to the goalkeeper and a precise header by Vashulin – 1:0.
In a minute, we almost missed the second time: Vashulin came out tête-à-tête with Klischuk, beat him and hit the post from a sharp angle. Kryvyi Rih responded with Prince’s inaccurate low kick. “Kryvbas” was in a hurry, realizing that it was necessary to score at least twice, and because of that, it made a lot of mistakes. “Viktoria”, in turn, acted competently, held the ball for minutes, not rushing anywhere.
The home team “dried up” the game, and because of this, the attacking potential of the red and white team was greatly impaired. Yes, there were good lunges, but something was constantly missing at the end: sometimes the final blow, sometimes the last pass. The Czechs brought the match to a minimal victory. Our team will continue the European competition in the Conference League, where in a week’s time in Kosice it will meet in the first match of the fourth qualifying round with the Spanish “Betis”.
August 15, 2024. Europa League 20242025. Third qualifying round. The second match. Pilsen, Czech Republic. Stadium the city of Pilsen. 20:00 (Kyiv time). +31 degrees.
“Victoria” (Pilsen, Czech Republic) – “Kryvbas” (Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine) – 1:0 (0:0) (for the sum of two matches – 3:1)
Arbitrator: Horaciu Fesnik (Romania).
Referee assistants: Valentin Avram, Alexandru Cerei (both from Romania).
The fourth referee: Julian Kalin (Romania).
Referee video assistant: Catalin Popa (Romania).
Assistant video assistant: Shabolc Kovac (Romania).
Key: Daniel Vashulin, 52.
“Victoria” (Pilsen): 13. Marian Tvrdon – 40. Sampson Dve, 3. Robin Granach, 21. Vaclav Yemelka – 24. Pavel Havel, 6. Lukasz Cherv, 23. Lukasz Kalvach (k), 29. Tom Slonchik (33. Eric Yirka, 50) , 10. Jan Kopitz (22. Kadu, 86) – 31. Pavel Schultz, 51. Daniel Vashulin (11. Matei Vydra, 71).
Spares: 1. Florian Vigele, 4. Sheikh Cory Sene, 9. Ricardinho, 14. James Bello, 26. Vaclav Mika, 93. Ijessy Metsoko, 18. Edison Mosquera, 12. Oleksandr Sojka, 20. Jiri Panos.
Head coach: Miroslav Koubek.
“Kryvbas” (Kryvyi Rih): 33. Andriy Klischuk – 7. Andriy Ponedelnyk (25. Rafael Bandeira, 84), 3. Oleksandr Romanchuk, 5. Timur Stetskov, 55. Ivan Dibango – 8. Jihad Bizimana (11. Yehor Tverdokhlib, 61), 22. Yurii Vakulko (k), 21. Denys Kuzyk (15. Oleksandr Drambaev, 72), 14. Maksym Lunyov (78. Oleg Kozhushko, 84), 20. Artur Mykytyshyn (10. Dmytro Khomchenovsky, 61) – 80. Prince Adu.
Spares: 1. Bohdan Khoma, 30. Volodymyr Makhankov, 97. Jean Poe, 27. Matteo Amorozo, 9. Daniel Sosa.
Head coach: Yury Vernydub.
Warning: Andriy Klischuk, 15. Timur Stetskov, 44. Dmytro Khomchenovsky, 76. Prince Adu, 88.
Press service of FC “Kryvbas” Kryvyi Rih
