Conference League: historic draw for Virtus against Flora Tallinn keeps qualification hopes alive

In only their second ever European match at the Stadium, Virtus earn their first historic point thanks to a 0-0 draw with Flora Tallinn. In the first leg of the Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa Conference League played last night, the Neroverdi from Acquaviva went toe to toe with the Estonian champions, who were denied by the woodwork twice. Virtus also had several chances in what was a lively encounter. The Neroverdi will now play for everything in the return leg, scheduled in less than a week’s time in Estonia. Bizzotto has to cope without several key players – Buonocunto and Battistini among many others – and sets his side up in a 4-3-3 with a small but pacy front line of Benincasa, Lombardi and Pecci. After an opening phase of study and balance, in which Virtus also enjoy some spells of possession, it is Flora Tallinn who create the first real chance on the break through Kuraksin who, once inside the box, unleashes a powerful effort that Passaniti has to beat away. Just a minute later the Estonians go very close to taking the lead when centre-back Vaher rises highest and powers a header that clips the outside of the post. Flora Tallinn keep pushing (17’): winger Zenjov has a go – after a lay-off from Varjund on the edge of the area – but his attempt from a tight angle is again met by the gloves of Passaniti. It remains 0-0 and midway through the half Virtus carve out a golden chance through Vallocchia, who wins the ball high up, cuts inside and shapes to shoot with his right but instead of pulling the trigger he checks back and slips on the Stadium turf, allowing the Estonian backline to clear the danger. Bizzotto’s side play without fear and on the half-hour mark create another good opening: Ciacci operates as the deep-lying playmaker and, after regaining possession, spreads the play brilliantly to the ever-quick Pecci, who drives up to the attacking third before laying it off to Vallocchia, whose low shot this time is gathered by Grünvald. Viik’s men respond on 36 minutes with a prolonged move that ends in a shot from full-back Veering, which finishes well off target. The Acquaviva club hit back from distance with an effort from Pecci that whistles past the post. Before stoppage time, Flora Tallinn threaten again: Kuraksin drills a powerful strike at the near post but a deflection sends it behind for a corner, and from the resulting set-piece it is again centre-back Vaher who connects with a header, sending it just over. On the stroke of half-time, Rizzo wins the ball well in the final third and drives to the edge of the area; the former Tre Fiori man opts not to shoot but tries to slide in Pecci, without finding the winger. The first half ends 0-0, a fair reflection of the opening 45 minutes. No changes at the break. Early in the second half Flora Tallinn have perhaps their best chance up to that point: Zenjov’s cross perfectly picks out the head of Kuraksin, whose excellent header flies just wide by a matter of centimetres. Just before the hour mark Pecci surges down his flank and wins a corner. From the delivery, Montanari tries to make something of the ensuing scramble, but the former Tre Penne midfielder sees his attempt blocked. Virtus push on, leaving spaces at times. As in the 61st minute, when Kuraksin exploits the open channel on the outside and races forward; Sabato does well to force him wide and he is compelled to lay it back to Zenjov. Flora’s number 20 still manages to get a shot away but with the goal gaping, Sabato clears off the line once more, earning a standing ovation from the Stadium as if he had scored. The game stays wide open and, on the counter, Pecci immediately tries his luck again but lacks accuracy. Flora Tallinn threaten once more (76’) with another high ball into the box: the umpteenth cross is met by Zenjov, whose header at the near post crashes off the second woodwork of the evening for the visitors. As the match enters the closing stages (82’), Pecci still has energy to burn and picks out the exhausted Gori, who cannot deliver across for substitute Marseljan Mema. Virtus fight hard, determined to protect a precious draw. Fourth official Kolev indicates five minutes of added time. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Bizzotto’s men even have a massive chance when Ciacci slides in Mema, who times his run perfectly on the shoulder of the last defender and bursts into the box, but his right-footed effort is blocked by substitute Kolobov. The Neroverdi hold out until the final whistle and can celebrate their first ever draw in European competition. Attention now turns to the return leg in Estonia in a week’s time – Tuesday 30 July at 18:00 at Tallinn’s Lilleküla Stadium. Qualification is still wide open. There is every reason to dream.

---

UEFA Europa Conference League, Second Qualifying Round – First Leg | Virtus – Flora Tallinn 0-0   VIRTUS Passaniti; Gori (from 84' Barone), Giacomoni, Sabato, Rizzo; Montanari, Vallocchia (from 64' Golinucci), Ciacci; Pecci (from 84' Arrigoni), Benincasa (from 71' Mema), Lombardi (from 64' Abouzziane) Substitutes: De Angelis, De Bartolo, Colagiovanni Coach: Luigi Bizzotto FLORA TALLINN Grünvald; Veering (from 84' Lukka), Touglas, Vaher (from 68' Kolobov), Hussar; Kreida (from 84' Vassilijev); Kuraksin, Varjund (from 68' Alliku), Soomets, Zenjov; Lepik (from 84' Sappinen) Substitutes: Rebane, Lapa, Pihela, Alamaa, Rõivassepp, Kukk Coach: Taavi Viik   Referee: Dragomir Daraganov (BUL) Assistant referees: Ivo Kolev (BUL), Hristo Hadzhiyski (BUL) Fourth official: Kristiyan Kolev (BUL) Booked: Lombardi, Hussar, Soomets, Pecci, Kuraksin, Rizzo Attendance: 267 spectators

---