Coming from behind in Tiraspol to secure European spring

2:3
(1:1)
round  5, Th 30.11.2023, Sheriff Main Arena
round  5, Th 30.11.2023, Sheriff Main Arena
Sheriff - Slavia
Goals: 19. Jurečka, 78. Zafeiris, 90. Tijani (pen.) – 45. Tovar, 56. Ngom Mbekeli
Slavia secured their place in the spring phase of the UEFA Europa League by defeating Sheriff 3-2 away in the 5th round of Group G. The goal account was opened by Jurečka, in the second half, Zafeiris and Tijani found the net, with Tijani scoring from a penalty in injury time.
In the simultaneously played match, AS Roma drew 1-1 against Servette. Slavia currently hold a two-point lead at the top before the final game, and their position in the table is in their own hands.

Compared to the home game against Sheriff, Slavia made four changes, with Jan Bořil replacing Tomáš Holeš as captain and center-back. Lukáš Provod operated in the midfield, while Mick van Buren and Václav Jurečka formed the attacking duo.

The team entered the game in cold Tiraspol under the guidance of assistant coach Jaroslav Köstl, as head coach Jindřich Trpišovský stayed in Prague for health reasons.

Just twenty seconds into the game, Mick van Buren had a shot, but the Moldovans managed to block it. On the other side, Igoh Ogbu bravely intervened in Mbekeli's shot.

In the 7th minute, Douděra on the right side delivered a precise pass to Lukáš Masopust. The blocked shot eventually reached Christos Zafeiris, who almost scored with a powerful volley hitting the left post.

At the end of the opening fifteen minutes, Jurečka took a shot from outside the box, but the goalkeeper Koval saved the deflected shot with a reflex save. However, in the 19th minute, Václav Jurečka opened the scoring with a precise cross from Jan Bořil's foot – 0-1!

The top scorer of the last FORTUNA:LIGA season scored in his fourth consecutive game.

Seven minutes before the end of the first half, Mick van Buren centered from the right, and Koval saved a volley from Andres Dumitrescu for a corner. In injury time, Sheriff had a direct free-kick opportunity from deep, and Tovar equalized with a header – 1-1.

The first half offered no more goals, and the teams went to the locker room with a tied score.

Five minutes after the referee's whistle, Slavia exerted pressure, resulting in shots from Lukáš Provod and Mick van Buren, both cleared by the Sheriff's defense. The subsequent cross from Provod did not lead to a goal, with Masopust narrowly missing the back post. Six minutes later, Ankeye on the left side passed to Mbekeli in front of the empty goal – 2-1.

After an hour of play, Douděra took a shot from outside the box that hit the post. Shortly afterward, Slavia's coaching team made the first substitution, with Andres Dumitrescu leaving the field for Conrad Wallem.

In the opening minutes of the final twenty-minute period, the second substitution came. Václav Jurečka and Mick van Buren were replaced by Mojmír Chytil and Muhamed Tijani. The Nigerian forward immediately joined the offensive efforts, and in the 72nd minute, he headed inside the penalty area, but the prepared defense intervened.

Twelve minutes before the end, Slavia had a direct free-kick opportunity after a foul on Christos Zafeiris. Zafeiris surprised goalkeeper Koval with a shot over the wall, leveling the score – 2-2!

At the beginning of the last five minutes, Provod found the running Wallem, but Tovar, the Tiraspol defender, cleared the Norwegian universal's cross. In injury time, Lukáš Provod slipped into the opponent's penalty area, fouled by Artunduaga. Muhamed Tijani stepped up for the penalty, sending Koval the wrong way and completing the comeback – 2-3!

The remaining time in Tiraspol offered no further developments, and Slavia secured a 3-2 victory against Sheriff. Jindřich Trpišovský, as Slavia's coach, maintained a perfect record of advancing from the group stage to the spring phase of the Europa League.

Slavia's next match is on December 3rd away against Zlín. The kickoff for the 17th round of the FORTUNA:LIGA is scheduled for 18:00.

2:3

Lineups

Sheriff

Koval – Apostolakis, Tovar, Garananga, Artunduaga – Ngom Mbekeli, Ricardinho (74. Vinicius Paiva, 90. Vardar), Talal, Badolo, Fernandes – Luvannor (46. Ankeye)

Slavia

Mandous – Masopust, Ogbu, Bořil – Douděra, Zafeiris, Provod, Oscar, Dumitrescu (61. Wallem) – Jurečka (70. Chytil), van Buren (70. Tijani)

MATCH DETAILS

Goals
19. Jurečka, 78. Zafeiris, 90. Tijani (pen.) – 45. Tovar, 56. Ngom Mbekeli
Yellow cards
Apostolakis, Talal, Badolo, Artunduaga – Dumitescu, Tijani
Referees
Ciochirca – Weiss, Obritzberger (RAK)

Photogallery

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