Excellent result but just not enough to go through

MOL Vidi FC kicked off their final group stage game at home to Chelsea FC on Thursday evening. The final game of Group L kicked off at 18:55pm in front of a full stadium.

Marko Nikolic chose the same 10 outfield players that had performed so well in London in October. The only change from that night was in goal with Adam Kovacsik taking the place of Tomas Tujvel. Chelsea manager Sarri made 4 changes to his side from the one in October. That still was enough to send out an extremely strong team. Morata, who had scored the winning goal against Vidi at Stamford Bridge started, as did Ruben Loftus-Cheek who had scored three goals against BATE. Spanish World cup winner Cesc Fàbregas started in midfield.

Vidi did not start in awe of their opponents in front of 20,000. The 4th minute saw a move involving Milanov-Huszti and Nikolov, which the crowd applauded at the end following the Macedonian midfielder's shot that only just missed the Londoners goal. Milanov sent in a lovely cross 5 minutes later for the arriving Scepovic, but he just failed to connect. Vidi then suffered a blow after 18 minutes, but not because of Chelsea, but BATE opening the score away at PAOK. That meant that they would go through at that point despite any result in Budapest. 

Vidi also fell behind on the pitch on the half hour. Willian took a free kick 20 meters from goal. He curled it into the left corner to make it 0-1. The lead did not last long as Vidi went down the other end and won a corner. With 32 minutes played, Huszti's corner was headed into his own goal by Ampadu (1-1).

A cross from Fiola 10 minutes later found Scepovic, who played it onto Nego, whose first time shot brought out a good save from visiting keeper Caballero. BATE went further ahead in the other match of the evening, which increased their chance of making it through. The two sides went in at the break with the score at 1-1. A Huszti corner at the start of the second half found Stopira unmarked, but the left back missed the target when well placed. The lead arrived on 56 minutes: Milanov drove the ball forward and played a good ball into Nego, which saw the French player send a tremendous volley straight into the back of the net (2-1). 

PAOK scored a consolation goal moments later with 25 minutes left to play and also had a man advantage with BATE having a player sent off. Vidi needed the Greeks to score twice and for the score in Budapest to remain unchanged to be sure of going through. A sharp cross from Emerson on 68 minutes bounced off Giroud and wide of the goal. Fábregas lifted the ball towards Giroud shortly later, and his left footed volley went over the bar. Kovacsik saved from Hudson-Odoi on 71 minutes with Chelsea pushing forward and forcing the pressure on their opponents. Vidi defended heroically but the score in Greece did not change. 

Chelsea won a free kick on 75 minutes, which Giroud stood behind. The French forward curled a good shot from 21 meters into the back of the net (2-2). The visitors continued to attack with Stopira and Kovacsik making good blocks to deny them. Nego at the other end send it a promising cross but it was headed out by Christensen. The 3 minutes of injury time did not bring any further goals. 

The match ended in a 2-2 draw and Vidi can be proud of the way they fought and battled against one of the best teams in the world. It was not enough to make it through the group as BATE won 3-1 in Greece and it is they that join Chelsea in the knockout stage. The 7 group points picked up secured third place in the group with PAOK twice beaten. There was also a very good draw with Chelsea so we can be proud.