OFI 0-1 Apollon Limassol: Salai punished the Cretans – Europa League

With a goal from Salai in the 50th minute, the Cypriots qualified for the third qualifying round of the Europa League. There they will face Lech Poznan, who beat Hamarby.

Let’s see the most important points of the game:

1. THE TWO GROUPS ARE CAREFUL

OFI and Apollon Limassol started the match with a trio on defense and several loaded axles. Both teams showed from the beginning that their priority was not to lose the game with conservative approaches.

The opportunities in the first semester were few. In the first minutes, the Cypriots kicked the ball out on their feet and tried to take advantage of the poor circulation of the Cretans. However, a substantial stage did not take place, since OFI’s defense intervened when necessary.

The goal of the Simos team was not just to chase the ball, but to hit the opponent. But this didn’t always happen the right way, as he tried unsuccessful deep balls.

2. THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY OF HALF THE FIGURE

In the final quarter of the half, Wes got more into his team’s equation and helped him out. OFI held the ball, circulated and tried to create the conditions for an opportunity.

He finally arrived in minute 42. Staikos with a heel found the Sardinero on the edge of the area. The Spaniard dribbled, looked for Figueiredo, created the Brazilian, but Dimitriou blocked the ball.

3. LEADING WITH SALAD

Apollon started the second half with the changes of Bensop and Pitta. This play blocked OFI in the opening minutes of time and cost George Simos’ team, as the guests locked the Cretans in their frames.

Only in the 50th minute did the Limassol team take the lead of the match. Dabo received the ball in the area, got to his feet despite Selimovic’s pressure, dribbled, saw Salai, who with a place beat Waterman 1-0.

OFI had a chance to equalize in the 59th minute when Bensop returned to his only Figueiredo, who found himself facing an empty net. The Brazilian, however, was singled out in an offside position, in a tragic referee decision. Neira endured the referee and received a yellow card.

4. OFI DID NOT ESSENTIALLY THREATEN

Following Apollon’s goal, Giorgos Simos proceeded with two changes, after Nabi and Solís entered the field, changing shape and taking a more aggressive direction as the margins narrowed.

However, OFI again failed to become a threat. He took possession, but did not move the ball quickly, in order to create cracks in the defense of the Cypriots. Instead, he sought to threaten with deep blows.

The errors in the midfield were enough, allowing the August team to run against it. Specifically, the rookie Gianniotas suffered from the Cretan defense, while in 90 + 4, he looked for Dignini, who did not finish well for another goal.