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At the ZSKA Arena, which was occupied by 7,500 spectators despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Croatian scored the only decisive goal of the match in the 22nd minute with a remarkable long-distance shot that hit the goal bar. Eliel Peretz also hit the bar for guests during the sometimes heavy snowstorm in the Russian capital. For the Wolfsberger it was not only the second victory in the competition after 4-1 at Feyenoord, but also the second surprise abroad.
With the second win in a draw, 1: 1 at home to ZSKA, WAC increased their points count to a total of seven points. As Feyenoord lost 2-0 at Dinamo Zagreb at the same time, a draw in a direct duel with the Dutch in Klagenfurt on Thursday is enough for Carinthians to reach the knockout round of a European Cup for the first time. .
In any event, two decisions were made in Group K before the sixth and final matchday: Dinamo Zagreb, still unbeaten with their third win in two draws, are soon confirmed as the group winner and promoted. CSKA Moscow, on the other hand, is already out of the running after their loss to WAC.
Long shot of the vizier sits
ZSKA made the game for the first time in minus four degrees and also had the first big chance in the game: after a Konstantin Maradishvili cross, center forward Fedor Tschalow hit the header, which whizzed past just past pole (11 °). The most conspicuous player of the hosts was Croatian playmaker Nikola Vlasic, the younger brother of former world and European high jump champion Blanka Vlasic. After a solo from the 23-year-old, Ivan Obljakow’s grade was too weak (14th).
A bad finish was also the result of the other side when Peretz fired the first shot on goal for the Carinthian Lavant Valley guests (20th). Just two minutes later it was 0: 1: Vizinger was not pushed and therefore held from 25 meters. The 22-year-old Croatian’s perfect shot landed on the net over the lower edge of the bar, Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfejew powerless despite the flight.
In the 27th minute, WAC had the first chance for the second goal: after a pass from captain Michael Liendl, ZSKA central defender Hördur Magnusson was able to deflect a shot from Vizinger in the penalty area just past the post into the corner. And in the 40th minute, after a nice counterattack when shooting from 20 meters, the crossbar saved the defeated Akinfejew. The WAC was now in the game.
Kofler clings to victory
Immediately before the half-time whistle, Novak had another chance after a corner kick and a defensive fist from the ZSKA goalkeeper, but chased the ball sky high (45th). On the other hand, the guests did not allow much. Only a shot from left-back Giorgi Schennikow (36th), which went a bit over the top, and a chance from Tschalow in the penalty area (42nd), which went straight to goalkeeper Alexander Kofler, caused danger before the change .
Immediately after the restart, as the blizzard grew stronger, Akinfejew defused a Peretz shot with a brilliant save, which probably would have fitted perfectly (46th). ZSKA, on the other hand, barely found a recipe against the disciplined Wolfsberger, who now completely switched to the counterattack. Only “Joker” Kristijan Bistrovic was dangerous with his long shots, but Alexander Kofler in the WAC goal was on the post both times (74th and 78th) and recorded the second WAC victory in the competition.
UEFA Europa League, fifth round, Group K
Thursday:
ZSKA Moskau – WAC 0: 1 (0: 1)
ZSKA Arena, 7.500, SR Dabanovic (MNE)
Hill:
0: 1 Vizinger (22.)
ZSKA: Akinfejew – Maradischwili, Diwejew, Magnusson, Schennikow (63./Tiknizjan) – Obljakow (76./Sigurdsson), Achmetow (64./Bistrovic) – Kutschajew (46./Ejuke), Vlasic, Zainutdinov – TsGalow (46./)
WAC: Kofler – Novak, Baumgartner, Lochoshvili, Scherzer – Leitgeb – Taferner (61./Stratznig), Liendl (81./Wernitznig), Sprangler (82./Rnic) – Vizinger (70./Joveljic), Peretz
Yellow cards: none or Baumgartner, Peretz, Kofler
The best: Vlasic, Bistrovic or Liendl, Leitgeb, Peretz, Lochoshvili
