Stylish Slavia overturn deficit

A spirited second-leg display allowed SK Slavia Praha to overcome a 3-1 first-leg deficit and see off FK Partizan.

First-leg deficit
It took two extra-time goals to enable the Czech side to finally swing the tie in their favour and earn a place in the third round, after they had largely been outplayed in Belgrade two weeks ago. Tonight, they were largely in control against a Partizan side who were forced to play the last twenty minutes of normal time and all of extra time with ten men, after Branimir Bajic was dismissed in the 68th minute. 

Slavia on top
Stepan Vachousek scored twice in the first half to put Slavia in control, getting on the scoresheet in the eleventh and 41st minutes, and Partizan were plunged into further trouble when Bajic was sent off after bringing down Rudolf Skacel from behind after the Slavia player had broken through the defence.

Late drama
Defender Adam Petrouš then seemed to have sent the home side through as he made it 3-0 on the night two minutes from time but, with the home crowd celebrating wildly, Vladimir Ivic scored an unlikely goal for the visitors to level the tie on aggregate and send the game into the additional 30 minutes.

Slavia bounce back
However, Slavia soon recovered from this setback, and Patrick Gedeon restored their aggregate lead when he picked up a loose ball following a corner and slotted it past goalkeeper Radisa Ilic. Substitute Evandro Adauto then won the ball and struck a strong right-foot shot past Ilic to make the tie safe and finally end Partizan’s brave challenge.