All square for the second leg against Rangers
Manager Jindřich Trpišovský made a couple of changes to his starting eleven in comparison with the last league match against Baník Ostrava. Ondřej Kúdela and David Zima started in central defence. Tomáš Holeš returned to the side after recovering from injury. Abdallah Sima started on the right side of midfield instead of Lukáš Masopust and Lukáš Provod played in central midfield.
Slavia were the better team at the start of the match and they were rewarded for it. In the 7th minute, Nico Stanciu had the ball right before the edge of the penalty area. He tried the shot and the ball curled beautifully to the far post! 1-0.
The Red-whites kept pushing the Rangers’ defence. In the 29th minute, Stanciu sent a ball behind the defence to Kuchta who was fauled on the edge of the penalty area. The referee awarded a free kick. Lukáš Provod tried the shot from a wide angle and he did not make it easy for the goalkeeper who had to make a good save to keep it out.
In the 34th minute, Nico Stanciu tried to copy his goal as he shot from the same spot as before but this time, the ball went wide.
Rangers tied the game in the 36th minute with their first shot of the game. After they had a free kick, the ball was headed to the near post where it was captured by Ianis Hagi who passed it in front of goal to Helander. He had an easy job as he tapped it into the open net.
Peter Olayinka had to be substituted at halftime because of an injury. Lukáš Masopust took his place. The second half started better for Slavia as they were the better team again. The Red-whites attack Rangers’ defence a lot but they could not turn any of their chances to goalscoring opportunities.
After 60 minutes of the game, Rangers started putting pressure on Slavia’s defence. In the 64th minute, Kent shot the ball to the top-right corner and Kolář had to make a beautiful save to keep it out!
In the 71st minute, Slavia had the opportunity to double their lead. Lukáš Provod’s corner kick to the far post was headed to the near post by Ondřej Kúdela but Aribo blocked it on the goal line.
In the 90th minute, Slavia had a great chance to win the game. Provod’s corner kick to the penalty area was beautifully finished by Masopust’s header but the goalkeeper saved it.
Slavia drew the game against Rangers 1-1. They will play the second leg in Glasgow on 18th March.
Lineups
Kolář – Bah, Kúdela, Zima, Bořil (C) – Holeš – Sima, Stanciu (76. Lingr), Provod, Olayinka (46. Masopust) – Kuchta (71. Dorley)
McGregor – Patterson, Goldson (C), Helander, Barišić – Kamara, S. Davis, Aribo (82. Roofe) – Hagi (63. Arfield), Morelos, Kent