Dundalk 0-2 Legia Warsaw: UEFA Champions League play-off report

Goals from Nemanja Nikolić and Aleksander Prijovic  give Legia Warsaw a crucial away win in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off against Dundalk. 

Nikolić converted a penalty kick in the 54th minute, before substitute Prijovic doubled the Polish champions’ lead in injury time

Stephen Kenny’s men largely dominated the opening exchanges at Dublin Stadium, and almost took the lead inside the opening five minutes through Patrick McEleney. After some neat interplay between Daryl Horgan and McEleney on the left flank, the ball was lofted into the path of Sean Gannon on the right of the penalty area. The right back’s subsequent cross into the heart of the 18-yard box was met well by McEleney, however his headed effort flew just over the crossbar.

McEleney proved to be a thorn in the side of the Legia Warsaw defence throughout the first half, showing himself to be more than capable of holding his own in Europe’s elite competition. The former Derry City attacker would have the Irish champion’s second chance, but his strike from the edge of the box went well wide of Arkadiusz Malarz’s goal.

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Legia Warsaw began to grow into the game after weathering Dundalk’s spell of dominance, forcing the Lilywhites back into their defensive third for the majority of the remainder of the first half. Legia would come close to grabbing an important away goal in the 25th minute on one occasion, when Michał Kucharczyk volleyed just wide of the right post from the edge of the penalty area. Kucharcyzk’s volley would prove to be Besnik Hasi’s side’s only chance of the half, as Dundalk were able to comfortably quell the threat of the dangerous duo of Nemanja Nikolic and Steeven Langil.

The home side started the second half brightly, with Horgan and Chris Shields both testing Malaraz in the Legia Warsaw goal. Shields rose highest at the back post to latch onto a chipped cross from Horgan, however his subsequent headed effort on goal was coolly collected by Malaraz at the foot of the right post. Moments later, Shields would turn provider for Horgan as his powerful run through the heart of the Legia Warsaw midfield culminated in the former Bray Wanderers man feeding the ball through to Horgan on the left flank. Horgan’s side footed effort on goal was, once again, comfortably gathered by Malaraz.

Nikolic gives visitors the lead

In the 54th minute, the Lilywhites gifted the Polish champions a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. After latching onto a Thibault Moulin through ball on the right hand side of the penalty area, Nikolic flicked the ball past Gary Rogers before dragging the ball back into the path of Langil. The wide player’s subsequent first time strike on goal was blocked by a last stitch challenge from Andy Boyle; however, the referee adjudged that the ball had been deflected clear of danger by the arm of Boyle, and a penalty kick was given. From the spot, Nikolic coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the visitors a one goal advantage.

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Legia Warsaw, smelling blood in the aftermath of going ahead, pushed forward in search for a second away goal which would all but finish off the tie. From fully 30-yards, Tomasz Jodłowiec almost gave his side a two goal advantage with a venomous right footed effort on goal. The Polish international’s shot however, was matched by an outstretched Rogers, who tipped the ball over the crossbar.

In the final ten minutes, Stephen Kenny’s men began to press into the final third in droves, creating a glorious chance to draw level with just two minutes remaining. A wonderful exchange of passes on the edge of the Legia Warsaw penalty area culminated in the ball bobbling into the path of substitute Ciaran Kilduff, who saw his snap shot fly just over the crossbar.

Prijovic doubles Legia Warsaw’s advantage

The Lilywhites would be made to rue this missed chance in the 93rd minute Aleksander Prijovic doubled Legia Warsaw’s lead. After a quick one-two with Jodłowiec, the substitute found his way into the penalty area before chipping the ball over Rogers into the back of the net.

The return leg will be played in the Legia Warsaw Municipal Stadium of Marshal Józef Piłsudski next Tuesday night.