Fenerbahce Istanbul stays alive in the UEFA Conference League thanks to a small comeback.
The Turks narrowly lost the quarter-final first leg at Olympiakus Piraeus 2-3 early on Thursday evening, but were already three goals behind after 60 minutes. The Greeks are taking a small step closer to the final in Athens.
The home team got off to a dream start to the encounter. Fortounis puts Piraeus ahead in the 8th minute with a precise shot into the bottom left corner. As a result, Fenerbahce takes command and, despite having more play, is able to create few compelling chances.
The Greeks can then cheer again. Jovetic made it 2-0 with his goal from a tight angle (32nd). Olympiakus consistently defended this two-goal lead until halftime.
Fenerbahce starts to catch up in the second half
After the break, Fenerbahce tried to make the game exciting again. But even with almost 75% ball possession in the initial phase, penalty area scenes are in short supply. Instead, you act very carelessly on defense. The home team took advantage of these mistakes in the 57th minute with Chiquinho to score their third goal of the evening.
Fenerbahce doesn’t give up and continues to throw everything forward. In the 68th minute, Retsos conceded a penalty with an avoidable foul. Tadic converts ice-coldly and ensures the Turks score.
The guests take this tailwind with them into the final phase against the visibly exhausted Greeks. “Fener’s” effort was rewarded in the 74th minute. After great preparatory work from close range, Kahveci reduced the score to 2:3.
In the final phase, Piraeus defended its narrow lead over time and traveled to Istanbul next Thursday for the second leg with a small cushion behind them.
Zero number in Pilsen
The quarter-final first leg in the UEFA Conference League between Viktoria Pilzen and Fiorentina ended much more uneventfully – the encounter ended 0-0 after 90 minutes.
Scenes in the penalty area are in short supply on both sides. Hardly any team manages to cause danger in the opposing half throughout the entire game.
The guests from Italy have the playful superiority with almost 75% ball possession, but cannot capitalize on it. In the final phase, neither team takes any more risks.
The decision must therefore be made in seven days at the second leg in Florence.
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