Fenerbahce picked up a very flattering 2-1 away win in Prague on Thursday evening. However, Slavia – in contrast to the favorites – were far too careless with their chances. Meanwhile, Sascha Stegemann had her hands full.
Stegemann has to lend a hand himself: Slavia and Fenerbahce didn’t give each other an inch.
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The only German on the pitch at the Fortuna Arena was certainly not to be envied on Thursday evening. Bundesliga referee Sascha Stegemann from Niederkassel had to referee a game with countless discussions and nitpicking. In the end, the 39-year-old handed out eleven yellow cards.
In terms of sport, there was a lot at stake for Slavia Prague and Fenerbahce. The Czechs had only collected four points in the current Europa League season, Fener only five. It was hardly apparent in the first half that the Turks were favorites in this game. Slavia was the better team because it was more active and offensive – and they were rewarded in the 7th minute: Provod found Chory, who scored flat to make it 1-0.
The guests were not present offensively, but Slavia were too careless with their sometimes great chances: Doudera headed over before sending a direct shot past the six-yard box on the left (22nd, 30th). Just a minute later, Chory missed the top corner by just centimeters (31′).
13:1 shots on goal – but suddenly it’s 1:1
The statistics showed 13:1 shots on goal before Fenerbahce equalized with their first successful attack: Szymanski fed Dzeko, who made it 1-1 with a fine individual effort and a powerful shot into the near corner (35th). Shortly afterwards, Stegemann had his hands full and within seconds warned Fred (suspended), Dzeko and an official on the Fener bench (41′).
Suddenly the stadium was upside down because Slavia had scored 2-1. But Stegemann, working with linesman Marco Achmüller, decided that Chory keeper Livakovic had blocked Provod’s shot (42′).
En-Nesyri has the final word
After the break the game petered out, Szymanski carelessly missed a good shot opportunity from the second row (53′), before Slavia, who were improving again, missed another great chance in the person of Doudera (72′). Shortly beforehand, Stegemann had already shown the tenth yellow card of the evening against the rebellious Tadic (66th).
In the final phase, Slavia wanted the win much more, but Chytil was stopped in the last minute in the six-yard box (81′). So Fener was able to put the one decisive pinprick: After a cross from the left, Tadic put it back with clarity, Joker En-Nesyri beat Kinsky (85th).
It should remain an extremely flattering 2-1 for Mourinho’s protégés, who now have eight points in their account. Slavia, on the other hand, is threatened with an early exit – Anderlecht (H), PAOK (A) and Malmö (H) are still waiting.
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