BATE will have a UEFA autumn! With their victory over FC Debrecen in a dramatic match that was full of intrigue, emotions and nerves, the Borisov players guaranteed themselves a place in the play-offs for qualifications of the Champions League, and at least participation in the Group Tournament of the UEFA Europa League.
Head coach of BATE, Alexander Yermakovich and his wards, discussed the prospects of big football with optimism at the post-match interview. They noted the importance of the victory, not only for their progression in the tournament, but also from the point of view of psychology. Borisov players really needed this victory. There were many questions for BATE; about productivity, for the head coach and about second place in national championship. Even the Chairman of the Board of the club, Anatoly Kapsky recognised that he had many ‘difficult talks with players’ and he seriously put a strain on the team.
However, it would not be difficult to understand the importance of this match. That evening brought the experience of many under fire; not only Yermakovich, for whom entry into the Champions League playoffs became the first really independent achievement with BATE, but also the whole city was undergoing examination for receiving the title of football capital of the country. The Borisov players passed this examination excellently. Of course, it is possible to find many reservations in this victory. It is also possible to once again discuss the roles of goalkeeper, Sergey Chernik and the Swedish referee, Stefan Johansson in the episode with the penalty, which at the 20th minute of the match, made BATE’s task harder after their loss in the first leg of the match.
It is possible to argue on the removal of Slimane Bouadla. The head coach of FC Debrecen, Elemér Kondás (without making comments on the decision of the referee) called this episode a key moment which defined the outcome of the match. And, to be honest, he was right. In other circumstances, the task to put three past the Hungarian keeper was difficult for a team which, in three previous Champions League matches, have scored just once. All this is true, and at the after-match press conference, even Alexander Yermakovich recognised that there are problems with the team which need serious work.
But all these nuances do not belittle the importance happened on the pitch of the Borisov-Arena, because during those 90 minutes, there was a team which, in due time, pleased us by their meeting with a top side in European football, and which many people needed after recent failures. And it is even more important that, not only those who have direct relation to the team believed in it, but also the 12,788 spectators, who several days before the match, bought the lion’s share of the tickets and established a new record on banners, painted in yellow-blue colours.
It is necessary to be glad for them, and no less than for Sergey Krivets, who got up at last from the substitutes’ bench, who during the match turned on partners, who during added time scored such an important goal. To understand what these football successes mean for industrial Borisov, one simply had to walk by any high-rise building on the outskirts and to listen to the phrases heard from the windows that were opened to the summer evening: ‘Pressure them, guys, at last!’ Well the guys have pressured and guaranteed a football autumn for themselves and thousands of fans.
In a draw which took place in Nyon, Switzerland, the headquarters of European football, Slovak club ŠK Slovan Bratislava were randomly picked to play FC BATE Borisov in the play-offs for qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
