NEC Nijmegen 1–1 Levski Sofia, first point for both sides in the league phase
NEC Nijmegen drew 1–1 with Levski Sofia in Matchday 2 of the Europa League and won their first point in the competition. Tjaronn Chery settled it in the 64th minute, equalising after a mistake by the visitors' goalkeeper.
Automatically translated from Polish · AI-generated from GolVolt data and the sources listed below the article
Reinaldo opens the scoring
The Matchday 2 Europa League game began with a goal for the visitors in the 35th minute. Reinaldo gave Levski a 0–1 lead. Svetoslav Vutsov provided the assist. Reinaldo went one-on-one with NEC goalkeeper Crettaz and beat him. The visitors went into the break with a one-goal lead. It was Levski's only goal of the game.
Vutsov's mistake, Chery's goal
NEC equalised in the 64th minute. Tjaronn Chery scored from close range into an empty net after a mistake by Levski goalkeeper Vutsov and made it 1–1. For the hosts it was the turning point, because from that moment they had a point. No more goals followed, and the points were shared.
Shots and corners to the hosts
The statistics show who attacked more often. NEC had 17 shots, Levski eight. Eight of the hosts' efforts were on target, and two of the visitors'. Corners were 6 to 1 in NEC's favour. Possession was split almost evenly: 51% for NEC and 49% for Levski. So the hosts had more shots, even though they did not have the ball for longer. Yet they scored only one goal, and that came from an opponent's mistake. Two NEC players received the highest rating of 7.5, and the lowest rating in the team was 5.5.
Late goals were not NEC's problem
This season NEC have conceded six goals, only one of them after the 75th minute. In Nijmegen, after equalising, the hosts did not concede a second goal. Before the match NEC were without three players. Despite those absences the team made up the deficit and did not lose.
NEC's manager before the match
Before the game NEC manager Dick Schreuder said his team would not underestimate their opponents. "We cannot and will not underestimate any team," Schreuder said before the match. The result shows that Levski were able to stand up to the hosts, even though they had fewer shots and fewer corners over the whole game. Both teams left the pitch with one point.
First points in the league phase
The draw has historic significance for both clubs. NEC won their first point in the Europa League. Levski won their first point in the league phase of a European competition. The hosts can feel frustrated, as they had clearly more shots, while the visitors can take satisfaction in a hard-earned point after leading until the 64th minute. For both teams it is their first point in this phase of the competition.
