Videoton have everything to play for in next weeks second leg with Scepovic scoring an important away goal.
A crowd of 21337 were inside the Matmut Atlantique stadium on Thursday evening for the Europa League Q3, 1st leg game. The away sector inclluded an enthusiastic group of travelling supporters who made the trip to France to back their side.
Manager Marko Nikolic did not change his side from the one that beat Puskas Academy away at the weekend. That meant that Vidi lined up as follows: Kovácsik – Nego, Juhász, Fejes, Stopira – Suljic, Varga, Pátkai, Hadzic – Scsepovics, Lazovics.
The first bit of action arrived on 6 minutes when home keeper Costilnak had to save well to deny a Scepovic shot from a tight angle. The rebound fell to Patkai, but the keeper made an easier save. The 9th minute saw Bordeaux's highest value player, Malcom try from 17 meters to the far corner, but it did not go in. Vidi were playing in their impressive new sand colour kit. Malcom had another shot a minute later, which Vidi keeper Kovacsik got down well to keep out. Videoton were forced into a change after 16 minutes when Varga jumped and landed badly and the midfielder had to come off after receiving treatment.
Girondins went ahead 7 minutes later following a cross from the right, which Sankhare headed into the corner. Kovacsik had no chance of keeping out that header (1-0). The action continued inside the modern stadium. A corner after 20 minutes was headed at goal by Gaetan, which was cleared by Nego, who was positioned next to the post. Vidi were back in the game and levelled after 23 minutes. Suljic sent a ball into the middle and Scepovic arrived in between two defenders to calmly find the back of the net (1-1).
The home side hit a dangerous counter attack after 28 minutes with Malcom going down the right, before crossing to Gaetan, who turned and fired wide. There was no luck after 33 minutes with the home side going ahead for the second time. This time Kamano found Sankhare, who scored from close range to make it 2-1.
An action packed first half included a good combined move after 40 minutes that always resulted in an equaliser. Lazovic sent a ball in to Juhasz, who headed it into the middle for Fejes, who arrived well, but the effort went wide of the right post. There was still time for the active former Brazilian youth international Malcom to try his luck with a long distance shot, but the referee blew for half time and the home side went in leading by a goal.
The second half kicked off without any changes to the teams. There was a chance for the home side when Kamano sent his shot rolling past the post. Sabaly collided in the air with Stopira after 49 minutes. The accidental collision meant both players required treatment, but both were able to continue. Vidi had a good attack down the left, which saw Stopira send a low ball in, but it did not find a player in a Vidi shirt, and the Girondins defence dealt with the danger. Szolnoki replaced Varga on 56 minutes and he moved to right back, with Nego moving forward to the midfield. Patkai and Hadzic remained in the middle.
Vidi were awarded a free kick following a foul and Lazovic stood behind the ball. He sent his shot towards the far post, but Scepovic and Stopira could not make an important connection. Kovacsik dealt with two long distance shots in the 70 and 75th minute. There was time for new signing Ezekiel Henty to come on after 79 minutes for his debut in a Vidi shirt. The Nigerian forward replaced Marko Scepovic. There was no further real chance in front of goal and the referee blew for full time.
Videoton know that a win next week could be enough to make it through to the next round.
Author: David Rechnitzer