Iskra ended their first European adventure, they failed to surprise Lokomotiva Plovdiv in the first round of qualification for the Europa League - the Bulgarian team won 1:0 in Podgorica.
Deservedly or not, these are not matches for that type of analysis, because there is no fix.
In the end, it turned out that two details were decisive - a missed shot by Zoran Petrović in the 69th minute, and a lucky penalty for the visitors five minutes later.
One big failure against an experienced and better team, at 0:0, pays dearly in Europe...
In the first half, Iskra matched the guests well, although it was clear that there are several players with strong individual characteristics in the Lokomotive squad, who are dangerous in one-on-one play.
Cvetanov caused a lot of problems on the left side, as did Ilijev, but Iskra's players had a solution and prevented their qualities from fully showing.
The only real chance came from the break, after a good pass by Umardiev, a bad defensive setup, which left Dinis Kosta alone – the Portuguese desperately grabbed the ball with his head from 7-8 meters.
Iskra's offensive performance was modest, until the first minute of stoppage time when the goalkeeper saved Lokomotiva.
Jovanović shot from 30 meters, the ball hooked the guest player, gained acceleration, but Martin Lukov reacted brilliantly from the gap and kicked it into the corner from the front post.
In the continuation, the Bulgarian team put in more gear and took control, guarded the ball, waited for a chance from the game.
He waited in the 55th minute, when Ilijev was 14-15 meters away after a return ball from the left side - he beat across the goal, with the fact that the ball, perhaps decisively, literally touched Drinčić.
In the moments of complete control of the guests, zicer after zicer for Iskra arrived. Šahman fought for the ball in the 69th minute, shot brilliantly into the box from the right side, and Petrović crossed the crossbar from two meters.
Such a chance must be used to pass, for such a chance against someone stronger than yourself, the whole match is played...
Then Adžović tried from 20 meters, Iskra showed signs of life, and five minutes later signed the capitulation.
After a sliding start by Kat, the ball accidentally reached the reserve player Ilić, Malešević was late and knocked him down in his own penalty area.
Iliev was accurate from the penalty - 0:1.
Coach Iskra Nedović then introduced the tall Milić to the top of the attack, and Lokomotiva could double the advantage through Dinis, again from a corner...
There wasn't much play until the end, the guests "locked" the game and achieved their goal.
Iskra has to be satisfied with the elimination of Santa Coloma from Andorra, and with 460 thousand euros of the UEFA award...
ISKRA - LOKOMOTIVA 0:1 (0:0)
Podgorica - Stadium under Gorica. Referee: Gergo Bogar (Hungary). Scorer: Ilijev from the penalty in the 75th minute. Yellow cards: Drinčić, Malešević, Jovanović (Iskra).
Iskra: Kordić - Malešević, Drinčić, Kumburović, Jovanović, Šahman, Adžović (78. Milić), Kato - Boričić (82. Đurišić)), Petrović (73. Rogošić), Vuković.
Locomotive: Lukov - Petrović, Masoero, Dinis Košta - Karageren, Vitanov, Umarbajev (90. Nikolaev), Cvetanov - Salinas (65. Salinas) - Iliev, Aralica (73. Aralica).
Bonus video:
