FCI Levadia returns from Croatia with a 5-1 defeat

On July 25th, NK Osijek faced FCI Levadia at Opus Arena, with the match kicking off at 21:00 Estonian time. Here is a summary of the match proceedings.

First Half

The match started energetically, with Osijek having a scoring opportunity in the 3rd minute. However, Levadia’s Brazilian center-back managed to dispossess the Osijek forward. Levadia countered in the 4th minute, but the Osijek goalkeeper intercepted their cross after a deflection off a defender.

In the 8th minute, Ioan Yakovlev put Levadia in the lead, capitalizing on a mistake by the Osijek goalkeeper. However, Osijek quickly responded a minute later, equalizing the score at 1-1. By the 15th minute, Osijek began to control the game on their home turf.

Osijek extended their lead in the 18th minute by exploiting a soft pass from Levadia, with their forward bypassing Vallner to make it 2-1. In the 27th minute, Mierez scored a hat-trick, increasing the lead to 3-1.

In the 34th minute, Osijek’s winger struck again, making it 4-1 as the ball landed in the net via the post and behind Vallner. Before halftime, Levadia had a chance to reduce the deficit, but their shot went over the bar. The first half ended with NK Osijek leading 4:1.

Second Half

FCI Levadia substituted at halftime, with Heitor and Felipe Felicio being replaced by Larsen and Robert Kirss. Levadia started the second half better, but in the 55th minute, Larsen’s cross landed in the Osijek goalkeeper’s arms.

Between the 56th and 58th minutes, Levadia had several sharp crosses, but they did not result in goals. In the 68th minute, Osijek made it 5-1 when a substitute forward dribbled past defenders and scored behind Vallner.

In the 83rd minute, Levadia had a perfect opportunity to reduce the deficit, but Frank Liivak missed an open goal. Osijek successfully utilized counterattacks and long balls, controlling the game.

The match ended with a 5-1 victory for NK Osijek. Ramon Mierez (3), Renan Guedes, and Domagoj Bukvic scored the goals for Osijek. Ioan Yakovlev was the sole scorer for Levadia.

The second leg will take place a week later at A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn at 19:00. More information can be found on FCI Levadia’s Facebook event, and tickets are available on Piletitasku.