Hanging at home by Viktoria Plzen (0-0) after a close match, Servette FC can still hope to reach the quarter-finals of the Conference League. To do this, it will be necessary to force the decision during the return match in Czechia next week.
THE GAME. As is often the case in the knockout stages, the first leg between Servette FC and Viktoria Plzen saw two well-established teams who, at first, did not want to compete. After a long round of observation, the Genevans timidly tried to take the game into their own hands at the half-hour mark, but without managing to create any chances. The entry into play of Miroslav Stevanovic after returning from the locker room gave them new momentum with an off-target shot from the Bosnian in the 53rd minute which thrilled the 15,354 spectators present at the Geneva stadium. Bendeguz Bolla (80th) and Stevanovic again (85th and 88th) caused fears in the Czech rearguard without success. Winners on points if not on the field, René Weiler’s men were the most enterprising but came up against a defense that came above all so as not to compromise their chances of qualifying.
SHY. The two teams between them only had 4 shots on target in total. The Garnet took the first shot through Stevanovic in the 55th minute. The Czechs had to wait… until the 88th minute to test Jérémy Frick’s gloves.
TURNOVER. René Weiler finds himself obliged to rotate his squad, still involved in three competitions. The technician thus chose to do without four of his executives at the kick-off against Plzen. Scorer at Razgrad and against St-Gall on Saturday, Timothé Cognat (entered in the 65th) started the match on the bench, just like Miroslav Stevanovic (entered in the 46th), Alexis Antunes (entered in the 65th) and Bradley Mazikou.
FORTY-THREE. Servette played his 43rd official match of the season against the Czechs. The Grenat have played 26 in the Super League, 4 in the Swiss Cup, 4 in Champions League qualifying, 6 in the Europa League and 3 in the Conference League. They have a record of 19 wins, 16 draws and 8 defeats.
ALREADY SEEN. If it intends to continue its adventure on the continental scene, the SFC will have to achieve a new feat in the return match on the pitch at Viktoria Plzen. René Weiler’s players won’t have to look far to find a source of inspiration as they found themselves in exactly the same position in the round of 32 against Ludogorets. Hanging 0-0 at the Geneva stadium, they won 1-0 in the return match in Bulgaria. Again?
>> Also read: Yoan Severin: “we will go to Czechia with ambition” and Servette stumbles on the defense of Plzen
Geneva, Axel David