Despite having the lion’s share of ball-possession and creating the better chances throughout the ninety minutes, Floriana had to settle for a goalless draw with Petrocub Hincesti of Moldova in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League at the Centenary Stadium on Tuesday.
Therefore everything remains to play for next week in the second leg at the Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau.
Floriana coach Gianluca Atzori named a familiar line-up, employing Adam Magri Overend on the left flank and Alejandro Garzia on the right. During the second half, three new signings made their debut – Lorenzo Trillo, James Scicluna and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.
The Greens were the better side during the first half but they failed to turn their superiority into goals, despite going close with attempts by Alejandro Garzia, Adam Magri Overend and Jan Busuttil.
One minute in the second half, goalkeeper Cristian Avram performed a good save on Ciolacu, served from the right by Reid. A powerful shot from outside the area by Ciolacu ended just over the bar.
The locals maintained the pressure but ten minutes from time, Sergiu Platica threatened with a close-range header off a freekick by Sandu.
FLORIANA Georgi Kitanov, Adam Magri Overend, Christian Rutjens, Oualid El Hasni, Kemar Reid (67’ James Scicluna), Andrei Ciolacu (67’ Mattia Veselji), Ulises Arias, Matias Garcia (67’ Carlo Zammit Lonardelli), Emiliano Callegari, Jan Busuttil (88’ Neil Cassar), Alejandro Garzia (58’ Lorenzo Trillo).
PETROCUB Cristian Avram, Victor Mudrac, Iaser Turcan (70’ Cornel Cotogoj), Vladimir Ambros, Sergiu Platica, Artem Federov (46’ Alexandru Bojan), Victor Bogaciuc, Ioan-Calin Revenco (80’ Costantin Sandu), Ion Jardan, Marius Iosipol, Maxim Cojacaru (83’ Mihai Lupan).
Referee: Pavel Orel CZE
Assistant referees: Petr Caletka, Tomáš Mokrusch CZE
Fourth Official: Josef Krejsa CZE
Source: Malta Football
