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Goals: 30. Bzdyl, 80. Bilalović - 57. Mikulaj
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Yellow cards: 40. Bzdyl - 56. Poom
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Viewers: 2187
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Referees: Glova - Štofík, Hrebeňár (VAR: Sučka)
MŠK Žilina
Šípoš - Minárik, Narimanidze, Okál - Hranica, Káčer (C), Bzdyl (90. Adang), Bari - Faško (88. Baleja), Roginić (74. Bilalović), Kóša (74. Florea)
AS Trenčín
Katić (C) – Jovanović (87. Kam), R. Križan, Bessilé, Skovajsa – Hájovský, Pavek, Mikulaj – Soares, Zirkzee (15. Paur), González (54. Poom)
The Šošoni will head into the three-week international break occupying the top spots in the table. Their position was secured thanks to a hard-fought but all the sweeter 2:1 victory over Trenčín in Round 9 of the Niké Liga. While many expected an open attacking contest, the match turned into a patient battle against a deeply defending opponent. Fabian Bzdyl finally broke the deadlock before half-time, while Kenan Bilalović once again proved decisive off the bench, scoring the late winner and finding a way through the Trenčín wall.
The result marked the Šošoni’s sixth league win of the season. The league resumes in October with a regional clash away to Ružomberok, while the next home fixture at the Stadium under the Dubeň hill will be the special Match of Generations against Dunajská Streda.
Head coach Vladimír Veselý made just one change to the side that drew with Slovan, bringing Fero Kóša into the starting XI in place of the ill Andrea Florea.
The Šošoni dominated from the opening whistle, but breaking down Trenčín's deep defensive block proved to be a challenge. Michal Faško, Miro Káčer and Fero Kóša all tested the visitors before Žilina finally found the breakthrough in the 36th minute. Following a spell of sustained pressure, Fabian Bzdyl picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the box to make it 1:0.
The pattern remained unchanged after the break. Timotej Hranica came within inches of doubling the lead, only to see his effort cleared off the line. Trenčín then made the most of one of their rare attacking opportunities, with Mikulaj levelling the score after a lengthy VAR check. Žilina continued to push forward and eventually found the winner through one of their impact substitutes. After combining with Andrea Florea, Kenan Bilalović broke through the Trenčín defence and finished calmly, scoring for the second league match in a row and sealing a 2:1 victory.
The Šošoni head into the international break with another three points, their sixth league win of the season, and a place among the table's frontrunners. After the break, Žilina return to action away to Ružomberok, before hosting Dunajská Streda in the special Match of Generations at the Stadium under the Dubeň hill.
Post-match reactions
“We’re delighted with the win because it was anything but straightforward. Trenčín surprised us by sitting deep and defending with a compact block, so we had to be patient and find a way through. Fortunately, we did.Our attacking players found pockets of space and showed the creativity we needed to unlock their defence. The substitutes played a key role as well. We knew Florea and Bilalović had the qualities to make a difference in a game like this, and they did exactly that.Conceding from one of Trenčín’s few chances was frustrating, but I was pleased with the way the team reacted. The players kept pushing, kept believing and worked hard right until the final whistle. We had to earn those three points, but this is the kind of mentality we want to see from our team.Now the focus shifts to the international break. I wish all our internationals the best of luck and, once we’re back together, our attention will turn fully to Ružomberok.”
Vladimír Veselý, MŠK Žilina coach
“Compared to the match against Trnava, we weren’t dominant today, we were naive. We ended up playing with five defenders and, after the substitutions, Eynel Soares was left alone up front. We started the second half with the right mindset and managed to score, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get any points today.”
Ricardo Moniz, AS Trenčín coach
“I’ve been something of a "joker from the bench" over the last two games, but hopefully I can start pushing for a place in the starting lineup as well. From the bench, I felt we were in control of the match for most of the game and probably could have ended earlier. Overall, it was a dominant performance. I hope I showed our fans a little of what I can bring to the team, and I’m grateful for the way they welcomed me. For the goal, Flo did a great job, picked me out perfectly, and I managed to squeeze it home.I’m really pleased with how quickly I’ve settled in. The whole team has helped me from day one, and there’s a lot of quality in this squad. I’m happy about the win, happy to have played in front of our fans, and happy that they got the chance to chant my name.”
Kenan Bilalović, MŠK Žilina striker
