Europa Conference League: referee fouled Hadjidiakos and Alkmaar, eight goals without a winner in Eindhoven

THE Bodo shine prevailed 2-1 from Alkmar thanks to a non-existent penalty in the delays attributed to him Panteli Hatzidiakouin the first game of the two teams for the round of 16 of the Europa Conference League.

The Greek stopper opened up and spun the ball in front of Ulrik Saltnes, who then fell on Hadjidiakos’ leg and rolled over as he attempted a push. The referee didn’t have the luxury of VAR and awarded a penalty from which Ola Solbakken scored.

It was preceded by a lively game, with good phases for both teams and him Vangelis Pavlidis to excel in the 1st half, have uninterrupted chances and a beam (in an offside period that went unseen by the referees). However, the goal was scored by the Norwegians in a wonderful performance that ended in a 39th-minute header from Amal Pellegrino.

The hosts took control in the second half and after an hour Pascal Jensen replaced Pavlidis with Zakaria Abouklal. He equalized in 73 minutes but his goal wasn’t enough as Norway eventually made it 2-1, going 29 straight and 12 in European competition unbeaten, extending the record for a Norwegian club.

In a promotional match at “Phillips Stadium” Eindhoven was drawn 4-4 with the Copenhagen. The game was spectacular throughout, although the two teams had completely different styles of play. The Dutch wanted the ball at their feet and turned it until they found a hole, the Danes were more direct and just as dangerous. Isaac Johanenson only opened the scoring for the visitors in the 6th minute, Cody Gakpo scored the equalizer in the 20th minute and … irritated Copenhagen. Pep Biel and Lucas Lerager scored before half-time but Roger Smith’s substitution Ritsu Doan justified it four minutes later. Gakpo failed to equalize from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute but did so in the 70th minute only to be happy for eight minutes until Biel scored again to make it 4-3. However, the Dutch had not yet spoken the last word. So said Eran Zahavi, who scored the equalizer in the 85th minute.

In 1988-1989 it was Jean-Pierre Papin and this year Arkadius Milik with five goals in a row in European games for Marseille. The Pole was the absolute protagonist of the victory 2-1 on her kingdom in “Velontrom”, scored both goals while he had one of the two beams of the French. The Swiss never got into the game, they had few finals (and no threat), but not only did they avoid a major result, they also found a goal in the end, with Sebastian Esposito keeping them ‘alive’.

Leicester feel lucky to have beaten me 2-0 the reindeer at “King Power” and took a clear lead with a view to the rematch in Brittany. Mark Albrighton put the Foxes ahead in the first half and then the two teams indulged in a storm of misguided efforts. Rehn had just one goal in 14 and eventually paid for it as England’s -just- third goal was Kelesi Iheanacho’s goal in delay.

Conference League: The first games of the round of 16

The highlights

Fitese – Roma 0-1

Slavia – LASK 4-1

Partizan – Feyenoord 2-5

Conference League: The second games of the round of 16