Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv played out a 0-0 draw against Atalanta in Bergamo tonight in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Play-offs.
Hapoel played the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Play-offs tonight (Thursday), visiting Italian side Atalanta in Bergamo. Accompanied by approximately 1,500 Red supporters in the stands, and having eliminated Bulgarian side Ludogorets and Poland's GKS Katowice in the previous rounds, the team stood bravely against one of the toughest challenges in the competition, secured a 0-0 draw, and shifted the decisive battle for the group stage ticket to next week's second leg in Miskolc.
The Italian hosts held the majority of possession throughout the match and looked to apply pressure, but the Reds displayed outstanding tactical discipline. The most dangerous opportunity of the first half belonged to Hapoel: in the 23rd minute, Doron Leidner delivered an excellent cross to find Emmanuel Boateng, and the striker unleashed a strike from a promising position against the local goalkeeper, who managed to parry it out for a corner at the last moment.
In the second half, the game followed a similar pattern, with the hosts searching for the opening goal but running into a determined Red defense and tremendous team sacrifice. In the dying minutes, Assaf Tzur produced a heroic performance with a double save to deny a certain goal. Hapoel kept a clean sheet and sealed a great result ahead of the decisive clash next Thursday.
Hapoel Lineup: Assaf Tzur, Marcus Coco (Shahar Piven – 89'), Fernand Mayembo, Chico, Doron Leidner, Lucas Falcao, Andrian Kraev, Roei Alkukin (Amit Lemkin – 89'), Omri Altman (Xande Silva – 63'), Douglas Owusu (Mor Buskila – 63'), Emmanuel Boateng (Daniel Dappa – 75').
Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas (Spain) at New Balance Arena, Bergamo, Italy.
Hapoel's next match will take place next Thursday (August 27), hosting Atalanta in Miskolc for the second leg of the UEFA Conference League Play-offs. The match will kick off at 21:00.
Match Log
11': Alkukin delivered an excellent cross into the box; Boateng narrowly missed connecting with the ball.
23': Leidner set up Boateng with a superb through ball, but from close range the forward was unable to beat Carnesecchi.