It started like a dream but ended in disappointment: Maribor was eliminated from the Europa League, and Botev once again exploited the gaps in the violet defense

Published on 18. July 2024 18. July 2024

Photo: Žan Pak

Maribor has bid farewell to the Europa League, but not to Europe. The violets will continue their European season in the Conference League, after failing to overcome Botev. The violets started the match at Ljudski vrt dreamily, taking an early lead, but then faltered and conceded two goals. Although they later equalized, Botev nonetheless (deservedly) advanced to the second qualifying round of the Europa League, where they will face Panathinaikos. Maribor will face another Balkan duel in the second round of the Conference League. The opponent for the Štajers will be the Romanian club Universitatea Craiova.

The violets started the match offensively, and within two minutes, Pijus Širvys attempted from distance. Moments later, Ažbe Jug had to intervene on the other end. Maribor came close to scoring in the 6th minute when, after a free kick from Josip Iličić, Sven Šoštarič Karič headed just over the bar. Six minutes later, Iličić managed to hit the net from the edge of the penalty area, but only the outside of it. A minute later, however, there was an explosion in the stands of Ljudski vrt. Jan Repas fired from the edge of the penalty area and ensured the equalizer in the aggregate score of the tie. After twenty minutes of play between the penalty areas, a nice combination developed in Maribor’s attack, where Širvys found himself with an open chance in the penalty area but finished poorly. In the 39th minute, a blocked attempt from Iličić almost turned into an own goal. The hosts regained initiative, as Maks Barišić was stopped by a header five minutes before halftime.

The guests made the start of the second half quiet, as they punished a mistake in Maribor’s defense in the 48th minute through Nwachukwu. After conceding the goal, there were a few half-chances for the home team, but they did not bear fruit. Another shock followed in the 60th minute when Anthony Ujah beat Ažbe Jug for the second consecutive match. In the 74th minute, 17-year-old Niko Grlić made his debut, and moments later found himself in a good position in the visiting penalty area, but Botev’s defense cleared the shot for a corner. Maribor came back to life ten minutes before the end of regular time.

After a mistake by the guests and a cross, the ball reached the head of substitute Etienne Beugre, who equalized the scoreboard from close range. In the 88th minute, Iličić sent the ball towards the goal, Matvei Igonen was already beaten, but the Bulgarian defense was first to the ball. Moments later, Beugre, the scorer of the second goal, tried with a header, but the visiting goalkeeper was again in place. In stoppage time, Repas fired after a cleared corner, but the ball did not find its way into the net.

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Ante Šimundža’s charges will now – as mentioned – face the second qualifying round of the Conference League, where they will compete against the Romanian representative CS Universitatea Craiova, where former violet Alexandru Cretu is currently playing.

This text was automatically translated using AI.

Author: editorial Football Planet