Mura took the lead but only angered the leading club in the league: Celje demonstrated its strength, and Luka Menalo has already proven that he will make a difference
Photo: Blaž Weindorfer / Sportida
Celje continues in 2024 where it left off in 2023. The team led by Croatian expert Damir Krznar found itself trailing in the opening match of the new year against Mura, but with a goal from the former Celje player Julien Lamy, they only angered the home team. The champions responded in style, outplaying the Prekmurje side and celebrating a convincing victory. This was also thanks to the returnee to the Slovenian league: Luka Menalo, a former member of Olimpija, who, in his first match for Celje, proved to be a player who will make a difference for his new club.
Celje capitalized on Olimpija’s Saturday stumble, where they only drew against Rogaška, with a resounding win in the best possible way. Krznar’s team has already increased its lead at the top of the table by a significant 12 points after the first round of matches this year.
Mura’s players quickly threatened and took the lead in the 10th minute. Julien Lamy, a former Celje player who joined Mura in the winter transfer window, scored after a beautiful pass into space from Filippo Trip.
Despite the shock at the beginning of the game, Celje gathered itself, equalizing the score in the 27th minute. After a corner kick, Damjan Vuklišević extended the ball to the far post, where Jegor Prucev, one of the main topics of recent transfer rumors, put it into the net. Celje went into halftime with the lead after Gregor Bajde scored following a beautiful team play and a pass from Menalo.
If Mura’s players were determined in the first half, it was the opposite in the second. Celje took a 3-1 lead after a successfully executed penalty, caused by the handball of young Timotej Brkić in the 50th minute. Captain Denis Popović scored from the penalty spot.
The fourth goal for the home team was seen in the 55th minute when Luka Menalo scored after a beautiful assist from Žan Karničnik, capping off a very good debut. Until the end of the match, there were several opportunities on both sides, but no changes in the score.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
News
#denispopovic
#gregorbajde
#jegorprucev
#julienlamy
#lukamenalo
1. SNL
Celje
Mura
Share