Sarajevo opens championship with a loss to Zrinjski

In the derby of the first round of the BiH Premier League, Zrinjski defeated Sarajevo 1:2 at the Asim Ferhatović Hase stadium.

The guests from Mostar proved to be the better team at the moment and deservedly took all three points from the BiH capital. However, it would not have been undeserved if the match had ended in a draw.

The match started with a cold shower for the home players. Jović took the ball from Mihojević, shot from an angle on the left, Pavlović punched the ball, which bounced right to Bilbija's feet. The visiting striker scored without problems from about ten meters, much to the delight of a hundred Ultras.

The goal unsettled the players in the burgundy jerseys, who shifted the game to the half of the current BiH champion, but they rarely created chances.

Sarajevo's defense was completely lost in the 20th minute. First, Bekić took the ball off Bilbija's feet after Jović's run, and in the next attack, Pavlović cleared Todorović's cross into a corner. Whistles and discontent followed from the east stand.

In the 23rd minute, Pirić headed the ball away from Novaković after a corner, and then on the other side, Jović went alone against Pavlović, but the ball got away from him, leaving the score at 0:1.

The home team combined nicely in the 33rd minute. Sarić crossed from the left, and Hebibović sent the semi-high ball wide of the goal. Sarajevo continued to attack. In the 35th minute, Velkoski found Hebibović, who crossed sharply, but Pirić was safe.

A minute later, a dangerous situation in front of the home goal. Bilbija outjumped Kadušić, but the ball went just wide of the post after his header.

In the final minutes of the first half, Sarajevo reached an undeserved equalizer, at least in terms of play on the field. Bekić found Rahmanović with a through ball, who was fouled from behind, and referee Petrović pointed to the penalty spot without hesitation. Velkoski was the confident penalty taker, marking his return to Koševo with a goal.

At the start of the second half, Janjoš brought Ivetić on for Radovac. This was immediately felt in the home team's play, who became more energetic and, with runs from deep, forced Pirić to leave his goal several times and make saves.

Zrinjski took the lead again in the 56th minute, after an excellent diagonal ground pass from young Ćavar, Filipović went clear on Pavlović and easily placed the ball into the net.

After the visitors took the lead, the tempo of the game dropped, the home team took the initiative, but just like in the first half, chances in front of Pirić's goal were rare. Janjoš tried by bringing on young Hadžić in the last 25 minutes, but there was no significant improvement on the field.

In the 74th minute, Hadžić won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area from an angle on the right, Sarić crossed, and Pirić punched the ball out for a throw-in. Three minutes later, fortune favored the visitors. Velkoski shot, and the ball hit the crossbar.

Zrinjski missed a chance to seal the victory in the 84th minute. Jović went clear on Pavlović, but his shot was saved by the home goalkeeper. However, the visitors managed to defend their goal routinely until the end of the match.

This loss is another disappointment for Sarajevo fans after their elimination from the Europa League against Zorya. On the other hand, Zrinjski started the championship in the best possible way, with a victory away against one of the title contenders.

FK Sarajevo: Pavlović, Novaković, Kuzmanović (from 76' Anđušić), Sarić, Rahmanović, Velkoski, Hebibović (from 65' Hadžić), Radovac (from 46' Ivetić), Mihojević, Bekić, Kadušić. Coach: M. Janjoš.

HŠK Zrinjski: Pirić, Barić, Jović (Čirjak 90'), Pezer (from 76' Perišić), Lučić, Todorović, Jakovljević, Katanec, Ćavar, Filipović (from 58' Galić), Bilbija.

(sportske.ba)