Celje suffered their first home league defeat since last November: The hosts missed chances left and right, with Jošt Pišek deciding the match with a masterpiece

Published on 21. April 2024 21. April 2024

Photo: Blaž Weindorfer / Sportida

Even if strong>Celje had won today, the battle for the title would not have been officially concluded. Nevertheless, regardless of the loss, it hurts, but it’s far from anything being lost. Celje will play for their second national title against Olimpija in the next round. This time, Domžale triumphed 3:2 in the princely city, dealing Celje their first home league defeat since last November. Jošt Pišek shone, scoring two goals, the second of which was a masterpiece after a crazy run that started deep in their own half!

Celje can attribute the loss mainly to themselves. Damir Krznar’s team had 68 percent of possession throughout the entire game and managed to produce 20 shots, with 9 on target. Domžale attempted “only” 10 shots but still managed to score one more goal. The hosts missed several incredible opportunities, and when you are so inefficient in attack, defeat is often a logical consequence of what is seen.

Krznar’s squad took the lead in the 20th minute in a three-move sequence. The defense launched the ball with a long pass to the right wing, where Rolando Aarons escaped the confused Domžale defense. Aarons then passed it in front of the goal, where Aljoša Matko was left unmarked, and he had no trouble finding the net. Just three minutes later, Matko could have scored again, finding himself alone against Lovro Štubljar, but was unsuccessful. The second goal of the match came in the 54th minute when Celje foolishly lost possession in midfield, and most of the work was done by Jošt Pišek. He dribbled towards the penalty area, then shot past indecisive Celje defenders and found the net.

Ten minutes later, the home goalkeeper Matjaž Rozman made a big mistake, dropping the ball after a cross from the right in front of the goal, allowing Filip Stuparević to calmly score and give Domžale the lead. In the 70th minute, it was already 2:2, when, after a cross from the right to the far post, Luka Bobičanec was left unmarked as a ghost. He then attempted a diagonal shot along the ground and equalized!

The decision on the winner came in the 83rd minute when Celje lost possession again, and Jošt Pišek reached it already in their own half. Pišek then skillfully evaded Celje’s players, ran more than half the field, and scored for 3:2. He could have also passed, but he was confident and strong enough not to miss the excellent opportunity. Celje ended the match with one player less; their captain Denis Popović was sent off with a second yellow card and will consequently miss the match for the title against Olimpija.

Meanwhile, with another victory, Domžale have more or less secured their survival, as they now have an 11-point advantage over the bottom-placed Aluminij.