Slovak lesson: Spartak - Wisła 3:1

Thursday evening saw another European clash for Wisła Kraków. In the third qualifying round for the UEFA Conference League, the Reymont team faced Spartak Trnava of Slovakia away. The first leg of the tie ended in a 3-1 victory for the home side, with Angel Rodado scoring the goal for the R22 side.

A promising start

The hosts started the match well from the outset, stretching Wisła's defense with long passes. In the sixth minute, after an alleged handball in the penalty area, the referee awarded a penalty to Spartak. However, he was soon summoned to the VAR monitor and, after reviewing replays, decided to reverse his decision. This was the first serious warning for the White Star team.

The Trnava team worked effectively in winning possession in midfield. Quick possession in this area fueled further attacks, which Wisła attempted to counter with menacing force. Around the 20th minute, Marc Carbó delivered a promising long-range shot. However, the Spaniard made a slight error, and his shot flew wide of the post.

The Krakow team were clearly becoming more comfortable with this type of play and were getting closer to Frelih's goal more often. In the 26th minute, Baena launched a counterattack. The winger, seeing space to gain momentum with the ball, attempted to finish the attack himself. His attempted shot was parried by the Red-Black goalkeeper, but clearly too short. The number 77 played a reverse pass to Angel Rodado, well positioned in the penalty area, who had no choice but to slot the ball into the unguarded net. From that moment on, the scoring opened, 0-1 for the team from Wawel.

Wisła secured Kamil Broda's post well and prevented the hosts from creating clear-cut chances. Philip Azango had the best chances for the Slovaks in the remainder of the first half, but he made poor decisions in the visitors' goal area. The pace of the match slowed somewhat, and after 45 minutes, the referee called for a fifteen-minute break for everyone gathered at the Anton Malatinský Stadium.

Two different halves

Wisła fans following the match were certainly hoping for a continuation of the first half. Home coach Michal Gašparík, dissatisfied with his players, made two changes and visibly encouraged them to be more active in attack. Unfortunately, the result didn't take long to arrive, as Michal Ďuriš equalized just two minutes after the restart.

Following this loss, Kazimierz Moskal's team struggled to rebuild their defense, leaving Spartak with the initiative. In the 60th minute, the home goalkeeper delivered a well-placed pass to his attacking teammates. Wisła's defenders cleared the long ball out of the air, but Philip Azango was waiting for it just outside the penalty area. The Nigerian midfielder volleyed home a powerful shot, giving the opposition a 2-1 lead.

The Trnava team looked much better after the break, ruthlessly capitalizing on the momentum they'd gained. In the 68th minute, captain Martin Mikovič sent a cross into the penalty area from the left wing. Michal Ďuriš once again excelled at the White Star's five-yard box, scoring a double and extending the score to 3-1.

Wisła Kraków fought tirelessly against their fast-paced opponents and searched for opportunities to break the deadlock. Frederico Duarte, who was introduced in the 76th minute, actively fueled the team's forward play. Wisła created openings for shots, but were unable to find the Slovak goal again. In the 90th minute, Michal Ďuriš hit the crossbar again, narrowly missing a hat-trick. The score remained unchanged, and the Kraków team will face the difficult task of overturning a two-goal deficit in the return leg.

FC Spartak Trnava - Wisla Kraków (0:1):

• 0:1 Rodado 26'
• 1:1 Duris 47'
• 2:1 Azango 60'
• 3:1 Duris 68'
  

FC Spartak Trnava: Frelih - Holík, Ujlaky, Kóša, Mikovič - Ahl (46' Pich), Bainovič (76' Kratochvíl), Zeljkovič, Azango (85' Daniel), Paur (46' Procházka) - Ďuriš (90+4' Kubista)

Wisła Kraków: Broda - Mikulec, Uryga, Biedrzycki, Kiakos (76' Jaroch), - Carbó, Gogół (85' Kutwa) - Baena (76' Duarte), Sukiennicki (58' Zwoliński), Kiss (85' Starzyński) - Rodado

Judged by: Karabaev S.

Yellow cards: Bainovič – Sukiennicki

Attendance: 13,010