In the first leg of the Europa League’s third qualifying round, Slovenia’s NK Celje emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win against Shamrock Rovers, thanks to a 34th-minute goal by Luka Menalo at Stadion Z’dežele. Shamrock Rovers will now aim to bounce back from this setback when they play at Tallaght next Thursday.
Throughout the game, NK Celje, managed by ex-Manchester City and Liverpool player Albert Riera demonstrated definite attacking potential. The Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper, Leon Pohls, was notably challenged twice just before the 15-minute mark where he successfully averted a strong strike from Aljosa Matko, followed by another close-ranged effort by Mario Kvesić
The first goal came at the 34th minute when Menalo manoeuvred past Sean Hoare and launched the ball into the network’s bottom-left corner. This setback, however, didn’t deter Stephen Bradley’s squad. As the first half neared its conclusion, Hoare attempted a long-range drive, but was thwarted by Celje keeper Lovro Štubljar, giving Celje a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Shamrock Rover’s midfielder, Dylan Watts, had a couple of reasonable efforts, considering he sent a shot flying over the bar within the opening minute and later had another shot effortlessly saved by Štubljar. Their defender, Daniel Cleary also had an important role by intercepting a likely goal from Armandas Kučys.
Despite holding a commanding position at half-time, Celje demonstrated a degree of uncertainty in their defence whenever Rovers manoeuvred the ball towards the penalty area. However, despite the Rovers’ relentless efforts, their best chance to equalise in the third quarter came at the 58th minute when Neil Farrugia broke from the right wing but shot wide of the goal.
In contrast, Celje had an opening to extend their lead as Rolando Aarons, a former player for Newcastle United in the English Premier League, capitalised on a mistake from Robert Lopes at the 73rd-minute mark; however, Lopes quickly rectified his error and successfully blocked Aarons’ ensuing goal attempt.
Rovers also fashioned a scoring opportunity when Aaron McEneff found himself with room on the right side with 13 minutes left in regulation time. Goalkeeper Štubljar denied McEneff’s attempt to equalise, leaving the title holders hopeful of reversing the game’s momentum at their next encounter in Tallaght.
For NK CELJE, the squad included Štubljar; Nenamič, Zec, Dulca (substituted by Kavcic, at 46 mins); Menalo, Bobičanec, Kvesić (replaced by Edmilson, at 67 mins), Brnić (substituted by Popovic, at 67 mins); Pišek, Kučys (replaced by Aarons, at 46 mins), and Matko (substituted by Kouter, at 67 mins).
SHAMROCK ROVERS’ line-up comprised Pohls; Cleary, Lopes, Hoare; Honohan, Nugent (replaced by McEneff, at 67 mins), O’Neill, Clarke (replaced by Burns, at 57 mins); Watts (substituted by Poom, at 78 mins), Farrugia (replaced by Burke, at 78 mins) and Greene.
Dubbed referee of the match was D Sylwestrzak from Poland.