OFI Crete outclass toothless Hoffenheim in Europa League opener
| Photo: Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images. |
TSG Hoffenheim's opening night in the UEFA Europa League ended in a 2-0 defeat this evening. Paying a visit to the largest Greek island, hosts OFI Crete FC emerged victorious thanks to goals from Aitor Cantalapiedra and Giorgos Kanellopoulos.
The Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion was full of noise with OFI Crete returning to European competition for the first time in over two decades. Hoffenheim's early control of the action suited their hosts who looked to move the ball quickly when counter-attacking.
Albeit offside, Hoffenheim showed intent when Ozan Kabak tested Nikos Christogeorgos. OFI Crete's goalkeeper had his role in the opening goal which came inside 30 minutes, spraying a ball out to Kenan Kodro who left Aitor Cantalapiedra with a routine finish.
Conceding just one goal in eight domestic matches this season, OFI looked content to soak up pressure. Christian Ilzer's white shirts flooded forward relentlessly, but attempts at goal were seldom. Wouter Burger's effort from a corner did little to threaten their hosts.
After the break, during which Ilzer made a sole change introducing Koki Machida for Albian Hajdari, both sides created good chances. At either end, Adam Hložek and Taxiarchis Fountas ruefully missed the target. The latter had the best of the two from 14-metres out.
With a third of the game remaining, Bambasé Conté and Andrej Kramaric arrived on the scene. After another spurned Hložek effort, Kramaric almost punished an error from shot-stopper Christogeorgos who just about recovered to cling onto the ball.
Final throws of the dice involved Adam Daghim and Fisnik Asllani, but another sucker-punch lay in store as substitute Giorgos Kanellopoulos rose high to head home at the near post. Hoffenheim's away record in Europe taking another dent with tonight's 2-0 defeat.
