The football players of Vilnius "Žalgiris" reached a draw against the much richer Istanbul "Galatasaray" club. The teams played 2-2 at the start of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
In the first half, Žalgiris did not give up much to the rich guests from Istanbul. Zalgiris created chances with quick attacks and had perhaps the best chance of the half when Mathias Oyewusi found himself all alone in front of Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Musler in the 17th minute, but disappointingly missed the target.
The 99th number of "Žalgiris" had a few more chances, Adama Fofana also dangerously rushed forward, and Yunus Akgun blew away several chances for the guests - once the Turk hit the post, and in another situation he missed the goal with his left foot.
Although the Turks controlled the ball for two-thirds of the time, the Žalgiris players did not give up to the Galatasaray stars in the first half with shots towards or at the goal.
The charge of emotions exploded immediately after the break. In the 47th minute, M. Oyewusi, who once again went forward, this time adjusted more precisely and sent the ball into the Galatasaray net.
In the 65th minute, the author of the goal was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher - the injured striker Vladimir Cheburin was replaced by Liviu Antali.
Although "Žalgiris" gave the initiative to the visitors from Istanbul even more after the scored goal, "Galatasaray" was not able to create anything dangerous in front of the goal of the Vilnius team for a long time.
In the 75th minute, "Žalgiris" had the advantage of a goal, until they finally made a mistake during a standard situation - the central defender Abdulkerimas Baldakci jumped above all the green and white players and headed the ball into the goal defended by E. Gertmons.
Having absorbed the blow, Žalgiris had to pull the ball out of the goal one more time after three minutes - E. Gertmons saved the first attempt of "Galatasaray", but Halil Dervisoglu scored the goal unhindered.
But the Vilnius club did not lay down its arms. Donatas Kazlauskas, who appeared after the substitution, scored a goal in the added time and once again sent the spectators who filled the capital's stadium into euphoria.
True, the Lithuanian, overcome with emotions, forgot that he earned a yellow card as soon as he stepped onto the field - D. Kazlauskas took off his shirt and was penalized for the second time, thus having to leave the field.
As a result, Zalgiris played the last minutes with one player less, but managed to hold on and reach a draw.
The teams will play the return match next Wednesday, August 3, 53. in the home of Galatasaray fans.
"Zalgiris" - "Galatasaray" 2:2 47′ Mathias Oyewusi [1:0] 75′ Abdulkerim Bardakci [1:1] 78′ Halil Dervisoglu [1:2] 90+1′ Donatas Kazlauskas [2:2]
Photo by E. Žaldaris.
