• Advertise
  • Contact us
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Inside Reports
Advertisement
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Health
  • Data Report
  • Investigation & Features
  • BBN Update
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Health
  • Data Report
  • Investigation & Features
  • BBN Update
No Result
View All Result
Inside Reports
No Result
View All Result
Home Sports Football

FC Zurich 2-1 Hearts: Can Tynecastle side take ‘massive chance’ to reach groups?

August 18, 2022
in Football
0
FC Zurich 2-1 Hearts: Can Tynecastle side take ‘massive chance’ to reach groups?
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Raddit


Hearts’ return to the European stage after a six-year absence ended in defeat by FC Zurich in Switzerland, but manager Robbie Neilson labelled his side’s performance “outstanding”.

The Tynecastle club led through Lawrence Shankland’s penalty, only for two moments of slack defending within two first-half minutes to prove costly in a 2-1 loss.

Still, the tie remains finely poised and Neilson insists his team have a “massive opportunity” to reach the group stage of the Europa League.

“I thought we were outstanding,” he told BBC Scotland. “We’ve come to the Swiss champions, who had a magnificent season last season with international players.

“We’ve taken the lead and then lost two sloppy goals but we stayed in the game and we’ve given ourselves a massive opportunity in front of 20,000 loud, noisy Hearts fans next week.”

Improvement needed

The Tynecastle crowd will play its part next Thursday, but Hearts need to turn in an improved performance after conceding two poor goals in quick succession, and they might have to do it without influential centre-back Craig Halkett.

The former Livingston man limped off after six minutes, and emerged from the tunnel on crutches. Neilson later confirmed he tweaked his hamstring, which would suggest he will struggle to make the return leg.

In his absence, Nathaniel Atkinson was exposed for the first goal, which came from a direct punt up the pitch, and Halkett’s presence in the box was missed for the second as Hearts twice failed to clear.

Zurich also had several other good chances, and managed 12 shots from inside the box alone, while Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon made an outstanding save in the last minute to keep the score at 2-1.

Apart from Lawrence Shankland’s penalty, Hearts (purple) created few quality chances compared with FC Zurich (black)

But perhaps more concerning was the fact Hearts struggled to create against a side that had kept three clean sheets in 10 games this season, two of which came against a much weaker Linfield team.

From open play Hearts registered fewer than one expected goals (xG) and, although they looked more threatening with Michael Smith playing balls in to fellow substitutes Liam Boyce and Alan Forrest, rarely tested the Zurich goalkeeper.

All that considered, a one-goal deficit is a good result for Hearts to take back to Edinburgh.

Will Tynecastle prove pivotal?

Neilson is clearly convinced his side have what it takes to improve and progress into the group phase alongside the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.

The confidence comes from his players, but also home advantage. Tynecastle will be sold out, tightly packed and raucous under the lights for a first European tie for six years.

“Two years ago, we were playing against Queen of the South on a Friday night in the Championship,” Neilson added.

“We’re here against the Swiss champions, we’ve lost 2-1 but put on a brilliant performance.

“We go back to Tynecastle next Thursday, the place will be rocking and we’ve given ourselves a right good chance.”

‘I’m confident Hearts can progress’ – analysis

Former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart on Sportscene

Looking at the second leg, I’m confident Hearts can progress. If you can get that front four of Boyce, Shankland, Forrest and Barrie McKay on from the start, Hearts are a dangerous side. I’ve not seen anything from Zurich that makes me fearful.

Former Hearts manager Craig Levein on Sportsound

If Hearts had gone for Zurich at 1-0… they’re not in good form and they’re vulnerable. I feel there was a missed opportunity there. Tynecastle will be rocking next week but they’ll have to play with more confidence.

Everything you need to know about your Premier League team bannerBBC Sport banner footer



Source link

FREE SUBSCRIPTION

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

ShareTweetShareShare
Previous Post

‘Times are changing’: Ashleigh Buhai braced for new life after history-making first major win at Women’s British Open

Next Post

NFF fixes date for elective congress

Editor

Editor

RelatedNews

US Soccer announces program to ensure player safety
Football

US Soccer announces program to ensure player safety

January 30, 2023
Valencia sack manager Gattuso with team near relegation zone
Football

Valencia sack manager Gattuso with team near relegation zone

January 30, 2023
Wrexham vs. Sheffield United – Football Match Report – January 29, 2023
Football

Wrexham vs. Sheffield United – Football Match Report – January 29, 2023

January 30, 2023
Liverpool FA Cup exit deepens woes while Bayern Munich in crisis
Football

Liverpool FA Cup exit deepens woes while Bayern Munich in crisis

January 30, 2023
Amid chaos and uncertainty, U.S. takes the long view
Football

Amid chaos and uncertainty, U.S. takes the long view

January 30, 2023
Fabinho, Konate escape red cards at Brighton
Football

Fabinho, Konate escape red cards at Brighton

January 30, 2023
Next Post
NFF fixes date for elective congress

NFF fixes date for elective congress

2023: Nigerian needs credible candidate

2023: Nigerian needs credible candidate

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Video: Controversial Cross Dresser, James Brown's Sex Tape Leaks

Video: Controversial Cross Dresser, James Brown’s Sex Tape Leaks

October 10, 2022
VIEWER DISCRETION: More Videos of Fed Uni Lafia Lecturer Striping and Beating Student Over Sugar Daddy

VIEWER DISCRETION: More Videos of Fed Uni Lafia Lecturer Striping and Beating Student Over Sugar Daddy

October 22, 2022
Wife of celebrity designer Seyi Vodi attacks alleged side chic, strips her naked (Video)

Wife of celebrity designer Seyi Vodi attacks alleged side chic, strips her naked (Video)

October 1, 2022
Update: Why Police Released Six Davido's Workers, Detained Two Arrested Over Ifeanyi's Death

Update: Why Police Released Six, Detained Two Davido’s Workers Arrested Over Ifeanyi’s Death

November 2, 2022
Video: Controversial Cross Dresser, James Brown's Sex Tape Leaks

Video: Controversial Cross Dresser, James Brown’s Sex Tape Leaks

1
Video: Lady weeps bitterly over alleged demise of Davido’s son, Ifeanyi

Video: Lady weeps bitterly over alleged demise of Davido’s son, Ifeanyi

1
Wizkid announces joint tour with Davido

Wizkid announces joint tour with Davido

1

NGX committed to building structures towards SMEs funding

0
AfDB plans $1.5bn food  facility for Nigeria, others

AfDB plans $1.5bn food facility for Nigeria, others

January 30, 2023
US Soccer announces program to ensure player safety

US Soccer announces program to ensure player safety

January 30, 2023
New NYSC DG takes charge, unveils five-point agenda

New NYSC DG takes charge, unveils five-point agenda

January 30, 2023
Valencia sack manager Gattuso with team near relegation zone

Valencia sack manager Gattuso with team near relegation zone

January 30, 2023

Recent News

AfDB plans $1.5bn food  facility for Nigeria, others

AfDB plans $1.5bn food facility for Nigeria, others

January 30, 2023
US Soccer announces program to ensure player safety

US Soccer announces program to ensure player safety

January 30, 2023
New NYSC DG takes charge, unveils five-point agenda

New NYSC DG takes charge, unveils five-point agenda

January 30, 2023
Valencia sack manager Gattuso with team near relegation zone

Valencia sack manager Gattuso with team near relegation zone

January 30, 2023
Inside Reports

Inside Reports is a Nigerian media outlet aiming to advance democracy through disseminating credible news. In the era of fake news and infodemic, Inside Reports is the online media outlet to go to in search of credible, verifiable and factual news.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • AFRICAN NEWS
  • Basketball
  • BBN Update
  • Business
  • Campus gist
  • Celebrity gossip
  • Climate & Environment
  • Crime
  • Crypto
  • Data Report
  • Education
  • English premier league
  • Entertainment
  • Featured
  • Football
  • Foreign
  • Gadget
  • Golf
  • Health
  • Investigation & Features
  • Jobs
  • Laliga
  • Mobile
  • Movies
  • Music
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Sure betting odds
  • Technology
  • Tennis
  • TRENDING VIDEO
  • Uncategorized
  • Video

Recent News

AfDB plans $1.5bn food  facility for Nigeria, others

AfDB plans $1.5bn food facility for Nigeria, others

January 30, 2023
US Soccer announces program to ensure player safety

US Soccer announces program to ensure player safety

January 30, 2023
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

© 2022 Inside Reports - All Rights Reserved .

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sports
    • Football
      • English premier league
      • Laliga
    • Basketball
    • Golf
    • Tennis
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Campus gist
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
    • BBN Update
    • Celebrity gossip
  • Music
  • Video
  • Health
  • Technology
    • Gadget
      • Mobile
  • Investigation & Features
  • Climate & Environment
  • Data Report
  • Jobs
  • Sure betting odds

© 2022 Inside Reports - All Rights Reserved .

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist