Europa League: Goalless draw against Rio Ave

28.7.2016, Redakce

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Pohár, Th 28.7.2016, Eden Arena

Slavia - Rio Ave

PRAGUE/EDEN ARENA - First game of Europa League 3rd qualifying round against Portugese Rio Ave ended in a goalless draw. Slavia had great opportunities by van Kessel and Škoda but goalkeeper Cássio made several fantastic saves denying Slavia their desired goal.

There was just one single change in Dušan Uhrin’s starting line-up where Jaroslav Mihalík replaced Jaromír Zmrhal on the left wing.

First chance of the game was on the side of Slavia but van Kessel’s effort was blocked by the defence. Few minutes later Novais tested our goalkeeper for the first time and Pavlenka had to produce a decent save against his long-range effort.

More than 15 thousand fans in Eden could burst with joy after Škoda’s perfect bicycle kick from 40th minute, but the referee called the goal off for previous foul.

Rio Ave focused on the defence and did not create many chances. Slavia on the other hand could score several times after the break. Twenty minutes into the second half Cássio showed his class against Škoda’s swift effort from 18 meters.

The deadlock was almost broken on 74 minutes, when Kenia found Škoda inside the penalty area, but our forward was denied by the goalkeeper Cássio who fantastically clawed his header.

Despite having more chances Slavia thus played goalless draw with Rio Ave. The decision will be made in the return match in Portugal.

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Lineups

Pavlenka – Mikula, Bílek (K), Deli, Bořil – Souček – van Kessel, Hušbauer, Kenia (81. Ščuk), Mihalík (60. Zmrhal) – Škoda

Cássio – Soares Cassamá, Roderick, Marcelo (K), Rafa – Wakaso – Barradas Novais, Krovinovič, Rúben Ribeiro (82. Tarantini) – Gil Dias, Yazalde (59. Héldon Ramos)