Sá stars as Legia eclipse Trabzonspor
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Article summary
Legia Warszawa 2-0 Trabzonspor AŞ
Orlando Sá had a hand in both goals as the Polish champions made sure of first place in a competitive UEFA Europa League Group L.
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• Legia confirmed as Group L winners; Trabzonspor settle for second place
• Luckless goalkeeper Fatih Öztürk credited with Legia's opener
• Orlando Sá confirms fine domestic form with his side's second
• Legia avenge 2-0 defeat at home to Black Sea side last season
• Round of 32 draw takes place in Nyon at 13.00CET on 15 December
Legia Warszawa prevailed in the battle of the top two in UEFA Europa League Group L, with Trabzonspor AŞ unable to trouble a side who remain unbeaten at home in Europe this season.
Legia had an early sight of goal as Fatih Öztürk fended away a Michał Żyro shot, the ball winding up at the feet of Orlando Sá, whose strike was cleared off the line. Trabzonspor responded with a few shies from distance, but Dušan Kuciak was equal to José Bosingwa and Kévin Constant's efforts, while Mustapha Yatabaré sent a further one over.
Luck played its part in Legia's breakthrough on 22 minutes. Fatih had scrambled to block close-range efforts from Żyro and Ondrej Duda, and Żyro then hit the post, with the loose ball falling to Sá; his shot was blocked on the line but ricocheted back into the net off the goalkeeper.
After the break, Yatabaré had a chance to beat Kuciak when a fine pass left him in a great position, but he missed the target. Within four minutes, Trabzonspor were 2-0 down, Sá – regarded as perhaps the best forward in the Polish league this season – cracking in a low effort with the outside of his boot.
A weak finish let Yatabaré down on 70 minutes as Trabzonspor kept pushing, Kuciak comfortably claiming, while Fatih prevented Michał Kucharczyk from scoring a third for Legia on the counter.