Zrinjski 2:1 Čelik: Premijer Liga Match Result

Match report

Zrinjski claimed a 2:1 victory over Čelik in the first match of the Premier League regular season on Saturday evening. The result keeps the Sarajevo side at the summit of the table with six wins from six games, while Čelik remain in eighth place with just four points from their opening fixtures.

M. Cuze gave the hosts the lead in the twenty-fifth minute, putting Zrinjski ahead before A. Masic equalised for Čelik just fifteen minutes later. The visitors looked comfortable with their performance, but A. Ilic snatched it for the home side in the forty-eighth minute after the break.

The match was far from straightforward. K. Stapic picked up a yellow card early on and was substituted at the start of the second half, a decision that perhaps reflected his restless energy. Čelik had their chances but could not find the net, while Zrinjski held their nerve through a nervous period where a Var decision cancelled N. Bilbija's potential winner in the eighty-ninth minute.

The statistics tell you something about the game. Zrinjski dominated possession at 64 per cent and registered eight corners to Čelik's five. They took nine shots on target combined, though only three found the way past the goalkeeper, while Čelik managed just two on target from five attempts. It was a match decided by moments rather than sustained pressure.

What this means for the standings is straightforward. Zrinjski's perfect record continues and they extend their lead at the top, though the title race will not be won or lost in the first round. Čelik's difficulty in converting chances is already a concern, and they face a long season if they are to climb away from the bottom half.

Prepared from match data

Key numbers

Possession, % 64 – 36

Shots on target 3 – 2

Shots off target 6 – 3

Attacks 71 – 48

🟨 21' K. Stapic — Yellow card ⚽ 25' M. Cuze — Goal ⚽ 40' A. Masic — Goal ⇄ 46' K. Stapic — Substitution ⚽ 48' A. Ilic — Goal ⇄ 59' P. Mamic — Substitution ⇄ 70' F. Gogic — Substitution ⇄ 73' M. Cuze — Substitution ⇄ 74' A. Hrvanovic — Substitution ⇄ 83' N. Tomasevic — Substitution ⇄ 84' E. Sivac — Substitution ⇄ 85' B. Jenjic — Substitution 89' N. Bilbija — var_goal_cancelled

Match events

21' 0:0 Zrinjski Yellow card K. Stapic
25' 1:0 Zrinjski Goal M. Cuze assist: A. Ilic
40' 1:1 Čelik Goal A. Masic assist: A. Hrvanovic
46' 1:1 Zrinjski Substitution K. Stapic off: S. Jakovljevic
48' 2:1 Zrinjski Goal A. Ilic
59' 2:1 Zrinjski Substitution P. Mamic off: M. Vranjkovic
70' 2:1 Čelik Substitution F. Gogic off: J. Amoah
73' 2:1 Zrinjski Substitution M. Cuze off: I. Vidovic
74' 2:1 Čelik Substitution A. Hrvanovic off: E. Sieh
83' 2:1 Čelik Substitution N. Tomasevic off: N. Smajlovic
84' 2:1 Čelik Substitution E. Sivac off: H. Sabanovic
85' 2:1 Čelik Substitution B. Jenjic off: H. Vardo
89' 2:1 Zrinjski var_goal_cancelled N. Bilbija

Statistics

64 Possession, % 36

3 Shots on target 2

6 Shots off target 3

71 Attacks 48

8 Corners 5

7 Free kicks 14

1 Offsides 2

1 Yellow cards 0

0 Red cards 0

11 Goal kicks 10

18 Throw-ins 11

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