The first match of the 2nd round of UEFA Conference League qualifications between Olimpija and Andorran Inter took place at Stožice. After a serious defensive error and a wonder goal, the visitors took a 0-2 lead, but the Dragons’ fighting spirit paid off and they managed a comeback. The main hero of the match was Diogo Pinto, who entered the game at halftime and scored his first goal in the 55th minute. He completed his hat-trick in the 61st and 65th minutes, and in the 80th minute added an assist for Muhamedbegovič’s header.
With this achievement, Diogo Pinto wrote himself into history as the fastest hat-trick scorer in the Dragons’ jersey. The Portuguese player said after the match: “We breathed a sigh of relief, especially because of how we started the match. We knew we had to change our attitude. We had to be 100 times more aggressive and we managed that in the second half.”
“After the second goal conceded, it was a ‘now or never’ moment. We knew a demanding return match awaited us, so we needed a good result. The second goal was a cold shower that woke us up. In Andorra we’ll have to be focused and aggressive from the first minute.”
“I’m happy that I scored three goals, but even more important is that we turned the match around. After the match with Kairat we needed a good result. We learned something there, this time we took advantage of home field advantage. I’m very happy, of course.”
Olimpija now faces two away matches: Saturday in Kidričevo and Tuesday in Andorra. The next home match is scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd at 8:15 PM against Celje. Pre-sale tickets are already available at shop.nkolimpija.si.
