By Dmitry Komashko
The Italian goal in the first half was the result of BATE’s defenders falling for a cunning trip. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, being offside, didn’t accept a pass from Robinho, but BATE was fooled enough to stop play, waiting for the referee’s whistle. As no penalty had occurred, Ibrahimovic (Swedish but of Bosnian origin), then rejoined the game, accepting a true pass from Robinho and sending it past BATE goalkeeper Alexander Gutor. The Borisov players equalised the score early in the second half, with a penalty for Milan’s violation against Artem Kontsevoy taken by Renan Bressan.
The Italians are now through to the 1/8 finals ahead of time while BATE has enhanced its chance of third place. The squad is still to face Czech Viktoria, which played against Spanish Barcelona at Prague’s Eden Stadium on the same day, losing 0:4. Victory over the Czech club on November 23rd would guarantee BATE a place in the 1/16 round of the Europa League finals, ahead of schedule.
BATE finishes its performance in the Champions League group stage with an away match against Spanish Barcelona on December 6th. The two best teams will go through to the play-offs while the squad placed third will continue onto the European Cup 1/16 finals of the Europa League — the second most important club tournament of the continent.
