Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv concluded its UEFA Conference League campaign tonight following a 1-0 home defeat to Atalanta in the second leg of the Play-off round.
Hapoel played the second leg of the UEFA Conference League Play-offs tonight (Thursday), hosting Italian side Atalanta at DVTK Stadium in Miskolc, Hungary.
In front of over 5,000 Red supporters who shook the stands and provided tremendous support, the Reds fell 1-0 (1-0 on aggregate) and ended a wonderful, pride-inspiring European journey with their heads held high.
Following the impressive 0-0 draw in the first leg in Bergamo, Hapoel came in with immense belief and stood toe-to-toe with the formidable Italian side throughout the match.
The first half was characterized by outstanding tactical discipline and tremendous Red commitment, ending goalless.
The momentum continued in the second half as the Reds fought for every ball. However, the decisive moment arrived in the 72nd minute: following a corner kick and a scramble in the box, Atalanta managed to score the only goal of the match.
Hapoel did not give up, pushing forward in search of an equalizer, and in the 83rd minute created the best chance of the match when Mor Buskila unleashed a fine strike that was denied only by the post.
Ultimately, Hapoel bows out of the competition at the play-off stage after a successful campaign that returned the club to the European stage.
Now, all eyes turn to the domestic front and the start of league action: this coming Sunday, Hapoel will travel to Sammy Ofer Stadium to face Hapoel Haifa in Matchday 2 of the Winner League (20:15). The Matchday 1 fixture against Beitar Jerusalem will be completed next Thursday at Bloomfield Stadium.
Hapoel Lineup: Assaf Tzur, Marcus Coco, Fernand Mayembo, Chico, Doron Leidner, Lucas Falcao (Yonatan Perber – 81'), Andrian Kraev (El Yam Kancepolsky – 77'), Roei Alkukin, Omri Altman (Mor Buskila – 77'), Douglas Owusu (Stav Toriel – 66'), Emmanuel Boateng (Daniel Dappa – 81').
Referee: Daniel Schlager (Germany) at DVTK Stadium, Miskolc, Hungary.
Match Log
28': Boateng found Alkukin on the edge of the box, and the latter fired a shot that missed the target.
50': A cross from Altman reached Chico, who stretched out a long leg to meet the ball, but could not hit the target.
57': A cross into the box found the head of Kraev, who nodded it down to Mayembo; the center-back headed on target, but Carnesecchi was positioned well and gathered it.
72': Hapoel concedes following a corner kick. 1-0 to the Italians.
79': A good attack by the Reds ended with Alkukin in the box, who created space nicely for a shot, but was blocked by goalkeeper Carnesecchi.
83': A corner kick fell to Mor Buskila, who struck a sharp first-time shot from an angle inside the box, only to be denied by the post.