Klub

Boleslav Takes Narrowest of Leads into Second Leg in Albania

4. 8. 2017 Redakce

Boleslav's victory by a one-goal margin in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie has left them facing a tough battle in the return leg in Albania if they are to progress to the next round. The match will be played on the first Thursday in August.

Mladá Boleslav headed into the opening leg of the third qualifying round with an unexpected change to their starting line-up. A minor injury from the second leg of the second qualifying round match saw Pauschek give way to Fabián at the right back. New offensive loan signing Komlichenko was on the bench, while Stronati, Ladra, Klobása, Křapka and Nečas all missed out.
Albanian opponent Skënderbeu's captain and team leader Lilaj, who was serving a suspension following his sending-off in the second leg of his team's second qualifying round tie, was absent from the starting line-up, which was otherwise made up of the expected names.

In the opening fifteen minutes, Boleslav came out with intent, but failed to convert three opportunities. While the Albanian side won the match's first corner, in the 7th minute, Matějovský began a move which ended with an excellent save from goalkeeper Shehi, turning away Chramosta's effort, which was heading for the top left-hand corner, for Boleslav's first corner kick. In the 13th minute, Matějovský passed the ball to Chramosta, who found Mebrahtu inside the penalty area, but his finish along the ground deflected off the goalkeeper's legs and over the bar. Matějovský was once again involved in the 21st minute, passing to Přikryl who earned Boleslav's first corner. The opposition centre back could only clear Mareš's corner as far as Rada, who sent a shot from the edge of the box crashing into Shehi's crossbar.
From the 25th minute, the pace began to drop, with Skënderbeu's players frequently staying on the ground and requesting treatment, killing the fluency of Boleslav's attacking play. Just when it seemed that this disagreeable tactic would see them through to half-time without conceding, Chramosta made them pay.
In the 42nd minute, while Mebrahtu failed to connect with Mareš's sharp cross from the left wing in front of the goal, Chramosta was left with plenty of time and space in the centre of the penalty area to place a shot perfectly into the bottom right corner - 1-0.
Boleslav deserved their lead at the interval, though their single goal was far from a reflection of their dominant play.
However, Boleslav could not carry their dominance over into the second half, with play contained almost entirely in the centre of the field for the first few minutes. In the 53rd minute, Matějovský's fine shot was smothered by Shehi at his left-hand post and five minutes later, Přikryl's pass failed to find a way past the goalkeeper to Chramosta in the Albanian 16-yard box. Then, in the 61st minute, Mebrahtu headed Fabián's looping cross centimetres wide of Skënderbeu's right-hand post.
With roughly an hour gone, the game took an unexpected twist. Skënderbeu began to attack, forcing Boleslav to defend. Da Silva's header and Fabián's sliding challenge put an end to dangerous Albanian attacks at the last moment. In the 70th minute, both goalkeepers were successively called into action against their persistent opponents, Diviš diving to the attacker's feet, and Skënderbeu keeper Shehi clearing firmly into touch. With 72 minutes played, Gavazaj's rocket rippled the side-netting of the Boleslav goal behind the left post. In the 77th minute, Magera headed Fabián's clearance to Mebrahtu, whose solo effort only succeeded in finding the goalkeeper. With 80 minutes on the clock, Jánoš played the ball to Mebrahtu, who broke free of the opposition defence and shook off an opposing player inside the box, but rather than passing back to Jánoš, who was alone in front of the goal, he took a shot from an angle straight at Shehi. A minute later, Skënderbeu were awarded a free kick at the other end, but Gavazaj sent the ball straight into Diviš's arms.
In the 86th minute, Skënderbeu's unimaginative attack ended with Latifi shooting from 20 yards out; however, as Čmovš attempted to block the shot, the ball deflected off his head and out of reach of Diviš into the right corner of his own net - 1-1.
Boleslav's aim of winning without conceding may have been lost, but their will to battle for victory in the few minutes that remained was not.
In the 87th minute, they launched an attack, started by Komlichenko and then Magera, who sent in a sharp cross from the left and Jánoš, running in, surprised the otherwise excellent Shehi with an elegant back-heel - 2-1.
The fourth official signalled three minutes of stoppage time, in which Skënderbeu forced a fourth corner kick, but Rada's firm clearance averted the danger. In the dying seconds, Komlichenko won the ball on the touchline and found Mareš on the break, but up against a resolute defender, he could not find a way through.

FK Mladá Boleslav: Diviš - Fabián, Da Silva, Čmovš, Fleišman - Přikryl (78. Jánoš), Rada, Matějovský, Mareš - Mebrahtu (87. Komličenko), Chramosta (68. Magera).