levadia denied by last-gasp wisla published: wednesday 15 july 2009, 23.15cet wisla kraków 1-1 fc levadia tallinn despite their status as favourites, the polish champions needed a last-gasp equaliser to salvage parity at home.
by piotr koźmiński
despite their status as favourites in the tie, wisla kraków needed a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at home against estonian titleholders fc levadia tallinn.
defensive approach the visitors employed a defensive approach throughout but it was a tactic that paid off handsomely when they opened the scoring courtesy of nikita andreev four minutes before half-time. that goal stunned the home side and despite eventually composing themselves, their attacks continued to lack penetration. ultimately, it was left to substitute piotr Ćwielong to save face three minutes into stoppage time, though levadia will look to make their away goal count on home soil next wednesday.
'better team' wisla used the match to hand andraž kirm his competitive debut and the slovenian international made a bright start, nearly putting his new team ahead when he struck the crossbar in the first half. that honour instead fell to andreev as he surprised goalkeeper mariusz pawełek with a powerful shot from inside the area. at the other end, prolific striker paweł brożek struggled to make any impact due to limited service, yet just as it seemed the hosts would never find a way through, Ćwielong levelled the scores. "i'm convinced we are the better team and we have a week to improve our game," commented wisla coach maciej skorža afterwards.
