Besiktas reached the last 16 of the UEFA Europa
League with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over
Liverpool in Istanbul on Thursday.
Dejan Lovren missed the decisive penalty as
Besiktas beat Liverpool 5-4 on spot-kicks to
advance to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League.
Liverpool famously have previous when it comes to
shootouts at the Ataturk Stadium, having won the
Champions League on penalties at the same ground
a decade ago.
But their luck was out on this occasion, as Lovren
blazed over from 12 yards with the last kick before
sudden death.
Penalties arrived after a tense 120 minutes in
Istanbul, with Tolgay Arslan’s fine strike 18 minutes
from the end of normal time cancelling out Mario
Balotelli’s first-leg goal to level the tie at 1-1.
Demba Ba – Liverpool’s nemesis in last season’s
doomed Premier League title bid – should have sent
Besiktas through in stoppage time, but the former
Chelsea man crashed against the crossbar from six
yards.
There were few signs of nerves through the
shootout as the first nine kicks were netted, but
Lovren’s wild effort ensured lightning would not
strike twice for Liverpool 10 years on from their
dramatic victory over Milan.
Besiktas were subdued in the early going,
seemingly inhibited – rather than inspired – by the
fervent atmosphere created by their fans as
Liverpool comfortably kept their first-leg lead intact.
Slaven Bilic’s side began the match on the front
foot, but the first attempt on goal came from
Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling 20 minutes in.
Alberto Moreno latched on to a clever flick from
Balotelli – making his first start since November –
down the left before pulling back to Sterling, whose
effort from 20 yards was palmed away by Cenk
Gonen.
Daniel Sturridge and Moreno then tested Gonen in
quick succession just after the half-hour mark as
Liverpool warmed to their task and quietened the
vociferous Besiktas faithful.
But Besiktas’ players and fans were re-energised
by the interval, and Bilic’s men got their just reward
for a much-improved display when substitute
Arslan curled a superb left-footed shot beyond
Simon Mignolet after good work from Gokhan Tore
and Ba.
The hosts continued pressing, but Liverpool just
about held firm to force extra time – thanks to Ba
missing a golden chance to settle matters inside 90
minutes.
Besiktas remained on top through the extra period,
Ba again going close only for Mignolet to stand firm
at his near post.
However, the Senegal striker’s misses would not to
prove costly, as Lovren followed up a string of well-
placed efforts by launching the 10th penalty of the
ensuing shootout high and wide.
posted from Bloggeroid
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