Conference League: valiant Virtus only bow out in extra time

A display full of heart and character is not enough for Virtus to avoid elimination from the UEFA Conference League. In the second-leg tie of the second qualifying round played last night at the Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn (Estonia), the home side Flora Tallinn twice take the lead, only to be pegged back by Neroverdi goals from Benincasa and Mema, sending the game into extra time. In the added 30 minutes, however, the Estonian champions have more in the tank, run out 5-2 winners and progress to the next round. The start does not favour Acquaviva’s team because after just four minutes Flora break the deadlock: Soomets plays a vertical ball for Varjund, who finds himself one-on-one with Passaniti; the keeper makes contact as he comes out and the referee points to the spot. Lepik steps up and makes no mistake from eleven metres. Despite the early setback, Bizzotto’s side try to react and, on 28 minutes, a fine exchange between Rizzo and Vallocchia ends with the latter shooting from the edge of the box, forcing Estonian goalkeeper Grünvald to stretch and tip the ball behind for a corner. Flora have several chances to double their lead, the best of which is a fine header from Lepik that crashes against the crossbar. In the closing stages of the first half Virtus show again through Rizzo, who cuts inside onto his left and shoots from inside the area but cannot get enough power on the ball. The sides go in at the break with Flora holding the narrowest of leads, which – after the 0-0 draw in Serravalle – would be enough to see them through. At the start of the second half, however, the match turns: Lukka, already booked on 40 minutes, flings an arm into the face of Lombardi. The referee produces a second yellow for the Estonian defender and Flora are down to ten men from the 48th minute. Sensing an opportunity, Bizzotto starts to shuffle his pack. Before long (68') the equaliser arrives, as Ciacci shows great determination to win the ball back high up the pitch and lay it off on the edge of the area for Benincasa, who controls and curls it low to the left of a rooted Grünvald. The hosts react, though, and ten minutes from time they restore their lead: Kreida’s cross finds Alliku in the box and then a handball by Manuel Battistini leads to the second penalty of the night for Flora. The taker changes – it is now Sappinen – but not the outcome, as the Estonians go 2-1 up on 77 minutes. Virtus then throw proverbial caution to the wind and find an incredible leveller just before stoppage time. Colagiovanni intercepts on the edge of the area and feeds Mema, who produces a superb piece of play to get past Tõugjas and Kreida before finishing with a perfect angled drive. Bizzotto’s men hold out through the eight minutes of added time and the match goes to extra time. In extra time, however, the hosts start on the front foot and immediately lay down a marker in the 92nd minute, when Sappinen – released right on the offside line – drives in from the right and squares for Alliku, who taps in from close range for 3-2. Five minutes later (97') Flora look to put the tie to bed early with a fourth goal, once again from Alliku, who beats Passaniti at his near post with a precise right-footed strike. The drama is still not over in the first extra period, because when Abouzziane’s cross comes in, the ball strikes Veering’s arm. It is a penalty again – the third of the night – but this time to Virtus, who have a chance to get back into it. Mario Barone steps up, but Grünvald saves his effort, crushing the Neroverdi’s hopes. Late on, Flora complete the rout with a fifth, as the ever-dangerous Sappinen crosses for Kreida, who beats Passaniti as he comes out to make it 5-2. The scoreline is probably harsh on Virtus, who battled bravely right up to the end of normal time, only to pay for fatigue and inexperience. Nonetheless, as a first season on the European stage, Bizzotto and his players can certainly be proud.

---

UEFA Conference League, Second Qualifying Round Second Leg | Flora Tallinn - Virtus 5-2 aet   FLORA TALLINN Grünvald; Hussar, Tõugjas, Kolobov (from 73' Vaher), Lukka; Kreida, Soomets; Zenjov (from 90+1' Mihhalov), Varjund (from 49' Veering), Kuraksin (from 63' Alliku); Lepik (from 63' Sappinen) Subs: Rebane, Lapa, Vassilijev, Pihela, Alamaa, Rõivassepp, Prunn Head coach: Taavi Viik   VIRTUS Passaniti; Battistini, Giacomoni (from 64' Rinaldi), Sabato, Gori; Ciacci (from 81' Colagiovanni), Montanari (from 64' Barone), Vallocchia (from 64' Abouzziane); Lombardi (from 55' Mema), Benincasa, Rizzo (from 111' Arrigoni) Subs: De Bartolo Head coach: Luigi Bizzotto   Referee: Snir Levy (ISR) Assistant referees: Tuval Koltunoff (ISR), Avi Goldstain (ISR) Fourth official: Nael Odeh (ISR) Booked: Passaniti, Lukka, Benincasa, Rinaldi, Sabato, Battistini, Gori Sent off: Lukka 48' (second yellow card) Scorers: 4' pen. Lepik, 68' Benincasa, 77' pen. Sappinen, 88' Mema, 92' and 97' Alliku, 120' Kreida Notes: 1,388 spectators. On 101' Barone (Virtus) misses a penalty

---