RFS vs Levadia Match Review

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Latvian club RFS beat Levadia Tallinn 1-0 (2-0 aggregate) at the LNK Sporta Parks in Riga, & advanced to the second round of the Champions League Qualifiers. Stefan Panić scored in back to back Champions League matches. 

Stefan Panić celebrates his goal!!

RFS nearly got off to a great start however Jānis Ikaunieks goal was ruled offsides. That was huge let off for Levadia keeper Karl Vallner as he had his glove on the ball but failed to keep it out. In the 18th minute Ikaunieks had another opportunity to score, as his brother Dāvis Ikaunieks gave him a beautiful pass into the box however Vallner saved Jānis Ikaunieks shot with his leg. In the 35th minute Levadia had a chance to equalise as Ghanaian midfielder Ernest Agyiri’s rocket of a free kick was saved by Marko Marić. An evenly matched first half as both sides failed to break the deadlock however with RFS being 1-0 in the tie, Levadia need a goal to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Roberts Savaļnieks clears the bar from danger.

Six minutes into the second half the Estonians nearly tied the series, as Agyiri gave a pass that went passed the RFS defence which gave Dutch forward Richie Musaba a one on one opportunity with Marić. His shot however went just to the side of the left hand post. Levadia had another crack in the 61st minute as it was another one on one chance. Mihkel Ainsalu did a brilliant through ball pass to Gambian forward Bubacarr Tambedou who’s shot ended up being blocked by RFS defender Haruna Njie. Seven minutes later RFS scored and doubled the lead in the tie as Nije crossed the ball to Savaļnieks who was in the box. Savaļnieks then passed to Stefan Panić who was in the middle of the box and the Serbian midfielder slots it home in the mid left corner of the goal which made it 1-0 RFS but 2-0 in the tie.

RFS manager Viktors Morozs at the press conference.

It wasn’t an easy match but RFS got there in the end and will be facing Swedish side Malmö FF in the next round. Levadia drop down to the Conference League second qualifying round where they face Georgian side Iberia. Viktors Morozs stated that it was a difficult game but added that "The most important thing was that we won. You could say that everything turned out well in the end. The only disappointment is the injuries (Herdi Prenga got injured in the first half)". 

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