Slovenia's Celje makes European football history once again
Slovenia's Celje are making European football history once again!
NK Celje defeated Austrian side Sturm Graz 3-2 away from home in the fourth round of the UEFA Europa League league phase, CE Report informs via NK Celje's official website.
Sešlar, who scored twice, and Verbič were on target to secure another historic milestone for the Slovenian club.
Key moments of the match
3rd minute: Following a shot by Gorenc Stanković, who sent a curling effort wide of Leban's goal, Celje launched an attack that saw Kučys get a shot away from a tight angle, but his powerful effort went straight at the Sturm goalkeeper.
11th minute: Balbo attempted to beat Leban with a low free-kick towards the near post, but the Celje goalkeeper successfully parried the ball away.
13th minute: Another excellent combination from the Celje side created space for a counterattack. Sešlar set off and delivered a cross to Kučys, who attempted a volley from a difficult position but sent the ball over the bar.
23rd minute: Another save from Leban, this time following a powerful long-range effort from Seidl.
37th minute: Almost like against Kazakhstan! Verbič cut inside and fired towards the far post, but the home goalkeeper produced an excellent save to turn the ball behind for a corner. Celje nearly doubled their lead from the resulting corner, as Tusha sent the rebound back towards goal, forcing Helac into another reflex save.
39th minute: GOAL! 0-1! Following a pass from Tusha, Koller misdirected his attempted back pass towards his goalkeeper. Sešlar intercepted the ball, raced towards goal and beat Helac to put Celje ahead.
40th minute: GOAL! 1-1. An unfortunate sequence of events saw Avdyli attempt to clear the ball, only to send it into Tutyškinas. The ball then deflected off the Celje defender and fell to Diakite, who equalised for the hosts.
45th minute: GOAL! 1-2! This time Verbič made no mistake! Cutting inside once again, he unleashed a curling effort that found its target, restoring Celje's lead.
49th minute: A turbulent start to the second half. First, Tusha's goal was disallowed due to a foul in the build-up, before Diakite missed a great opportunity to equalise, sending the ball wide from just under 10 metres.
64th minute: Sturm took control of the game and threatened mainly through crosses and corners. Stanković and Diakite both had attempts on goal, but neither managed to hit the target.
73rd minute: GOAL! 1-3! Celje patiently waited for their opportunity and eventually found it! Sešlar brilliantly dribbled past three Sturm players in midfield before releasing Kramer. The latter got away from his marker and fired at goal, with Sešlar pouncing on the rebound to score his second goal of the match!
90+3rd minute: GOAL! 2-3. Diakite scored following a free-kick delivery, reducing the deficit for the hosts.
FULL TIME: Sturm Graz 2-3 NK Celje
NK Celje starting line-up: Leban, Avdyli, Tutyškinas, Bejger, Širvys, Zabukovnik, Daniel (Žužek, 58'), Tusha (Kramer, 66'), Sešlar, Verbič (Kvesić, 58'), Kučys (Hrka, 78').
Photo: NK Celje
