Sarajevo qualifies for Europa League play-off, match against Celtic

ZENICA, (Patria) - At the Bilino Polje stadium, FK Sarajevo footballers defeated the Montenegrin team Budućnost 2:1 and qualified for the Europa League play-off.

Already in the 4th minute, Vinko Marinović's charges scored the first goal.

Sarajevo had a great chance for another goal in the 21st minute. Fanimo broke through on the right side, crossed the ball into the visitors' penalty area, but the shot from Tatar's volley was saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

Moraitis could have brought an equalizer for Budućnost in the 34th minute, but was inaccurate, while the Budućnost goalkeeper saved Pejović's shot a little later with considerable difficulty. However, before going into halftime, the team from Podgorica took the lead. After a good move, Moraitis scored for 1:1.

In the second half, the picture on the field changed. Budućnost took the initiative, and from it, two great chances emerged. First, Pejović saved Budućnost's goal from the goal line, and then Dupovac intervened excellently after a good move by Budućnost.

The penalty for the Montenegrin team's missed chances followed very quickly. Fanimo scored brilliantly and gave Sarajevo a new lead. It was a beautiful goal by the Englishman after Pidra's cross from the left side.

In the 73rd minute, Sarajevo was left with one player less after Rahmanović received a second yellow card. The nervous Rahmanović had previously committed six more fouls, so the referee's decision seemed justified.

Budućnost tried in vain to equalize until the end of the match, while Sarajevo threatened on counter-attacks, with Tatar missing a truly incredible opportunity. The maroon team withstood all the visitors' attacks and ultimately achieved victory.

In the Europa League play-off, Sarajevo will play against Celtic, and the winner of this match, which will be played in Zenica in seven days, will play in the group stage of this second-tier European club competition.

Vinko Marinović said that the team started the match well tonight.

"The second half was nervous, those are matches that carry tension and mistakes happen. We fought like lions and deservedly won," said Marinović, adding that the team will prepare maximally for the match against Celtic.