“Torpedo” Kutaisi, bronze medal winner of Georgia, had a tough opponent at the first qualifying stage of Europa League. This opponent is Slovak “Zilina”. The previous season was not successful for this club. It took the 7th place at the Slovakian Championship. Fans of “Zilina” considered it as a tragedy and refused to attend away matches of the club. Owners of “Torpedo” decided to rejuvenate and reorganize the club which fans did not approve. It was the first official match for both coaches, Gerard Zaragoza and Adrian Gula.
After a 3-day rain, it cleared up in Kutaisi. At first the match did not start at high rate. “Torpedo” gained advantage but the Slovaks managed to calm down the game. The Slovaks were the first to shoot toward the net but Migineishvili parried it easily. “Zilina” gained control over the ball in the first half. Nothing interesting happened in the first half. Only at the 37th minute Giorgi Gorozia had a good chance of scoring a goal but the goalkeeper of “Zilina” played well.
In the epilogue of the half, the guests gained control over the ball again. They shot from long distance twice but Migineishvili played calmly.
The second half started with the offence of Tabatadze. He ran with the ball 25 meters but did not kick well.
At the 58th minute the Slovaks advanced. Tomas Majtan scored goal – 0:1. The situation was tough for “Torpedo”.
The Kutaisi fans were very aggressive toward the main owner of the club “Wissol”. They were swearing collectively.
The Slovaks scored the second goal at the 76th minute and increased their advantage. Pich scored goal – 0:2. Soon the Slovaks scored the third goal. Majtan was the author of the goal – 0:3.
The both clubs had a chance to score goal at the end of the match. The final whistle of the Croatian referee informed us which club made through to the second stage of Europa League.
Adrian Gula (“Zilina”): “We played well against strong opponent. We were compact and did not let the opponent distinguish themselves. We were not effective in the first half and did not change strategy in the second half. We had a playing discipline at high level and it brought us success. Hopefully, this score will guarantee us playing at the next stage. Tabatadze and Kukhianidze played well from the opponent team. Overall I am satisfied with the result”.
Gerard Zaragoza (“Torpedo”): “We had two different halves. After the goal we lost our game. There are six football players on the opponent team who have played at Champions League. The club has been practicing together for three weeks and it is not enough. We lost but we will prepare and play better in future. I know that “Torpedo” is an ambitious team and fans demand more. The team needs new blood. Believe me, “Torpedo” will be stronger than it is now”.
“Torpedo” – “Zilina” 0:3 (0:0)
4 July. 21:00. Europa League. Kutaisi. “Central”. 6000 spectators
“Torpedo”: Migineishvili, Tabatadze, Zaza Chelidze, Chanturia, Chiteishvili, Gigauri, Tsintsadze, Gorozia (Tugushi, 64), Pirtskhalava (Pantsulaia, 52), Kukhianidze (Kapanadze, 73), Barabadze.
Head coach: Gerard Zaragoza.
“Zilina”: Dubravska, Mabouka, Piacek, Akakpo, Ceesay, Pecovsky, Pich, Mihalik (Zilak, 73), Paur (Skvarka, 87), Bello (Kacer, 90), Majtan.
Head coach: Adrian Gula.
Goals: 0:1 Majtan (58), 0:2 Pich (76), 0:3 Majtan (84).
Yellow card: Tabatadze (7), Kukhianidze (25), Gorozia (52), Paur (55), Ceesay (59), Kapanadze (86).
Referee: Domagoj Vuckov, Goran Perica, Ivica Modric, Igor Pristovnik (all Croatia).
Zaza Letodiani from Kutaisi
