Conference League: the first leg of the playoffs

Slavia Praga surprise Fenerbahce in Istanbul, even if a late Ferdi goal saved the Turks from a heavy passive by keeping qualification in the balance. Even Leicester is frightened by the Danes of Randers, who equalized at the end of the first half, but in the end they won with a poker. The biggest surprise, then, is Bodo Glimt, capable of winning 3-1 at Celtic Park. On the other hand, Marseille against Qarabag has a simpler life thanks to a brace from Milik in three minutes. These are some of the results of the first leg of the Conference League playoffs, matches in which the third classified of the group stage of the Europa League and the runners-up of the new continental cup meet. The return is set for next Thursday, February 24th. At that point we will know who will reach the first knockout rounds of each group, including Mourinho’s Roma.

Fenerbahce-Slavia Prague 2-3

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Ferdi’s goal seven minutes from the end saves Fenerbahce from the specter of a heavy elimination as the Turks have not reached the round of 16 of a European cup since the 2015-’16 season. Slavia Praga took the lead at the end of the first half after the post (almost) from outside Plavsic and the goal by Benjanim Traore who found the door all to himself. The Vader is equal at the restart with Pelkas, but two sensational mistakes in defense overturn the match again. At 62 ‘he hits Oscar Dorley from outside, but with the goalkeeper away from the posts, and immediately after Lingr, who has entered the interval. The final goal of the hosts reopens everything, especially as the away goal rule has been abolished.

Midtjylland-Paok 1-0

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There is no rust in the Danes’ gear despite being stopped, at least as regards the official matches, since 12 December. After twenty minutes, in fact, Joel Andersson takes the lead in Midtjylland, which in its history had never played so many games in Europe in a single season. In the end, his goal is enough and advances to take the first round, but it is not a result that can make us rest easy in view of Paok’s return home.

Psv-Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0

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It was a goal by Cody Gakpo, on an assist from Mauro Junior, after only eleven minutes to decide the first leg of the round of 32 of the Conference between Psv and Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Dutch, returning from the Europa League where they faced a fairly complex group with Monaco and Real Sociedad, never find the doubling that would have allowed them to set foot in the second round of the new tournament.

Rapid Vienna-Vitesse 2-1

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Since the winter break ended, Rapid Vienna have struggled, yet on the European night they won 2-1 against Vitesse, darting fast, as his name would have us believe, already in the first minutes. They pass 15 and are in double advantage thanks to goals from Druijf, 24-year-old Dutchman on loan from AZ Alkmaar, and Grüll. At 65 ‘he goes out for Stojkovic for a double yellow and Vitesse takes the opportunity to shorten. Verdict still in the balance for the Dutch, who reached the playoffs after Covid had stopped Antonio Conte’s Tottenham, preventing a possible comeback in the group.

Leicester-Randers 4-1

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At 45 ‘everything that happened is perfectly in line with the laws of football. Leicester dominates, takes the lead with Ndidi (23 ‘) and then misses everything. He would have the opportunity to double, even triple, but he can’t. So as soon as Amartey wastes the last chance of the first half with his head, the other side comes the incredible equalizer of Randers. Vito scores, left free in the area, after a ball lost by Albrighton on the left. The well-deserved 2-1 by the English arrived five minutes into the second half and was signed by Barnes. Daka stretches again, while Dewsbury-Hall (later exited due to a problem) is the final 4-1. Which means, except for sensational thuds in the second leg, round of 16. Before going in the shower, a brief invasion of the field.

Celtic-Bodo Glimt 1-3

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It continues to surprise Bodo Glimt, who managed to win 6-1 against Roma in the group stage. Celtic also hits one of the revelations of this European season, moreover at home. The first goal is from Espejord after 7 minutes, followed by Amahl Pellegrino in the 55th minute. When the guests shorten (in the 79th minute) with Maeda, Bodo finds a way to move further away, scoring immediately with Vetlesen. Away goals will no longer be worth double (in case of a tie), but Celtic Park’s 3-1 won’t be easy to overturn in Norway.

Marseille 3-1 Qarabag

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The resistance of Qarabag collapses after about forty minutes, which is first in the league in Azerbaijan and played a good group stage, but on a technical level it does not hold up to the comparison with Sampaoli’s Marseille, who only need three minutes to score twice (from 41 ‘to 44’) with the former Napoli Milik. In the final he shortens Kady, until Payet (92 ‘) makes the French take a decisive step towards the next round.

Sparta Prague 0-1 Partizan

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The match was in the balance for almost 80 minutes, but the European night knew no draws. In Sparta Prague, Hložek, a talented (19 years old) of the Czech national team who is already interested in several major clubs, remains dry, and then in the final it is Menig who unlocks the result and brings Partizan forward. In view of a comparison that, in any case, next week promises to be equally balanced.