Match Report: Vidi draw the first leg tie 1-1 in Luxembourg

MOL Vidi FC played their first competitive game of the 2018-19 season in Luxembourg on Tuesday. The Champions League Q1 saw the Hungarian champions up against F91 Dudelange, who themselves have won the domestic title 14 times. Vidi's opponents are regular participants in this competition. 

Marko Nikolic had to do without suspended defender and captain Roland Juhasz for the game. Krisztian Geresi, Jozsef Varga and Szilveszter Hangya all had to miss the game due to slight injury. The following side started the game: Kovácsik - Nego, Vinícius, Fiola, Stopira - A. Hadzic - Pátkai, Huszti - Kovács I. - Lazovics, M. Scepovics.

The local side had new signings Clement and Kruska in their starting line-up. The latter had made more than 300 appearances in the German top two divisions. The first chance of the game arrived on 6 minutes when Coututier sent his shot from 20 meters wide of the left post. Adam Kovacsik had to pull off a good save after 18 minutes when the home side had chance through Stolz, whose curling shot was heading for the top left corner until the Vidi keeper palmed it away for a corner. 

The action continued with Vidi on the attack after 37 minutes. Huszti sent in a cross from the left that was dangerous inside the home box, but the central defender managed to clear the danger ahead of the forwards.

The breakthrough came three minutes later when Lazovic cleverly flicked the ball forward into the path of Huszti, who from a tight angle found the back of the net to make it 0-1.

Marko Nikolic did not make any changes at the break, but the opposing manager, Dino Toppmuller brought on Stumpfot in place of Cruz. The home side stepped things up in the second half. Turpel saw his shot bring a good save out of Kovacsik, while a minute later, Melisse tired his luck from the left, which the Vidi keeper collected. Sinani's 50th minute free kick was heading for the top left corner, but again Adam Kovacsik was sharp to react.

However, Dudelange drew level 8 minutes later when Melisse's strong shot was parried into his own net by Kovacsik (1-1). Stolz had a low shot on 63 minutes saved again by Kovacsik. Vidi went down the other end and on 72 minutes, Lazovic sent a free kick beyond everyone and the ball went wide of the goal. Kovacsik again was well placed to save from a rebound off Stolz. Yeve ran down the left with 4 minutes remaining and his dangerous cross was cleared by Fiola. Marko Scepovic had time at the end to see his high cross bounce off the top of the bar. It was Stopira who rose the highest from a corner but he could not direct the ball into the net. 

The two sides ended the first leg with a 1-1 draw. MOL Vidi FC will be looking to complete the job next week at the Pancho Arena in the second leg.