Fan support has not helped Milsami to continue their Champions League campaign // Photo: instagram.com
The return match, held at the Orhei Municipal Stadium, did not please the fans with goals. In contrast to the first match, Igor Picuszczak’s charges were sharper in attack and made 17 shots towards the KuPS goal, three of which were on goal. The Finnish club responded with only five shots towards the Milsami goal (three of which were on goal). The home team also had more possession of the ball: 61% of the time it was at the disposal of Milsami players.
The match was officiated by a team of referees from Hungary headed by Mihály Kaprály, assisted by István Albert and Gergő Vig-Tarsony. The stadium in Orhei with a capacity of 3,000 spectators was almost full. The management of the Eagles decided to make the entrance to the match free.
After the Champions League (LC) elimination, Milsami head coach Igor Pikuschak complained about the need to strengthen the squad. “We are constantly talking about it, thinking, trying to solve the problem, but it is not so easy to bring a player to Moldova. Someone comes, looks and leaves. Unfortunately, we are not the ones who dictate the conditions and manage the financial possibilities,” the specialist said.
The Finnish club’s mentor Jarkko Wyss was brief. “It was not our best game, but the result was enough to go further – and that’s the main thing,” said the KuPS head coach.
After being knocked out of the Champions League, Milsami will play in the second round of the Conference League, the third European club tournament in terms of status. Budućnost (Montenegro), also eliminated in the first round of the League after the defeat from Noah (Armenia) with a total score of 2:3, will oppose it.
Milsami will play the first match on July 24 on the opponents’ field in Podgorica, the return match – on July 31 at the home stadium in Orhei.
