Ahead of the penultimate group game round in the Champions League on Tuesday, Malmö FF was pressured to win so that the chance for a third place, and further games in the Europa League after New Year, would remain. In fact, MFF had not even scored a goal in this year’s group game before the home meeting with Zenit. But the zero managed to crack the zero.
Malmö had a lot of ball in the first half and after 23 passes in a row within the team, S didøren Rieks 1-0 for MFF in the 28th minute. The Dane wall-played into the penalty area with Veljko Birmancevic, folded into the field and pounded the ball into the far corner.
Zenit created some half-chances in the first 45 minutes. Among other things, they got a long shot in the 37th minute that went outside the post.
Early in the second half, the away team was close to equalizing to 1-1. Malmö’s goalkeeper Johan Dahlin came in late in a duel with Wendel and took on a penalty, which he saved. Artem Dziuba shot in the middle of the goal and with one leg Dahlin pushed the ball away. The same Dziuba scored a goal a while later, but it was ruled out due to offside.
Zenit went for a draw but did not seem to be able to hurt MFF for a long time. With 90 minutes played, the visitors could have drawn level after Eric Larsson came through the middle, but his kick went wide. That he changed his verdict and gave Zenit a penalty led to wild protests from home players and the home crowd.
Jaroslav Rakytskyj then stepped forward and placed the penalty in one corner, to 1-1.
– I will beware of what I say. We did a good job and they got a penalty that I do not think is a penalty. But the judge thought differently. It is very difficult to stand here with one point, he says Sear Rieks to C More.
– I do not want to talk so much about the judge. I think we did a good job. We deserved three points, I think. I’m very disappointed.
The cross means that Malmö’s dream of finishing third in the group and advancing to the Europa League round of 16 has come to naught. Mutual meetings only take place when two teams on the same points are to be separated and therefore an MFF victory and a Zenit loss in the last group game round is not enough for Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men to beat Tuesday’s opponents.
At the press conference after the match, it became clear that MFF coach Tomasson is really disappointed with the referee’s decision to give Zenit the second penalty.
– Christmas came to Russia early, says the Dane.
MFF stands on one point in the group, while Zenit has scored four points. In the last group game round (December 8), Malmö plays away against Juventus, while Zenit will take on Chelsea at home.
Malmö’s team: Johan Dahlin – Anel Ahmedhodzic, Franz Brorsson, Niklas Moisander – Eric Larsson, Oscar Lewicki, Bonke Innocent, Sergio Peña (Erdal Rakip 78), Sören Rieks – Antonio Colak, Veljko Birmancevic (Martin Olsson 69).
Zenit lag: Kerzjakov – Chistiakov, Lovren, Rakytskyj, Douglas Santos – Karavaev, Malcolm, Wendel, Claudinho, Barrios – Dziuba.
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