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Played
September 29, 2011 6:00 PM BST
Ljudski vrt — Maribor
Referee: T. Hagen
Attendance: 10000
September 29, 2011 6:00 PM BST
Ljudski vrt — Maribor
Referee: T. Hagen
Attendance: 10000
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| Maribor | 2.30 | 4.80 | 2.35 | 51.00 | 2.30 | 2.20 | 3.60 | 2.35 | 2.25 |
| Draw | 3.25 | 1.50 | 3.10 | 8.50 | 3.20 | 3.25 | 1.80 | 3.05 | 3.20 |
| Birmingham City | 3.00 | 4.80 | 3.10 | 1.08 | 3.10 | 3.10 | 4.00 | 2.85 | 3.00 |
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Maribor 1-2 Birmingham City: Second half Wade Elliott goal spares Colin Doyle’s blushes after keeper error gifted hosts the lead
The Blues came back strongly in the second half to negate a mistake from their goalkeeper failing to clear a back pass, after the hosts started brightly
By Arthur Virgo
Getty Images
Wade Elliott's second-half strike spared the blushes of keeper Colin Doyle as Chris Hughton's Birmingham City side came from behind to claim all three points against Maribor.
Maribor started the game well, keeping possession and working neat triangles in a fluid 4-4-2 with full backs coming up the pitch, with forward Marcos Tavares dropping back, and right midfielder Mezga coming inside to link the play.
Birmingham defended confidently in the opening 15 minutes and played more direct, looking to get the ball out to Jean Beausejour and Chris Burke on the wings and find King with long balls up front. Elliott played in an midfield role behind lone striker Marlon King, tracking back in midfield to help defend and breaking forward to support King when they had the ball.
Birmingham’s direct attacks looked to have some promise with King doing well with his hold-up play and troubling centre backs Arghus and Potokar in the air. Beausejour also looked set to enjoy a good game with his pace looking threatening.
But the hosts grew stronger with Tavares floating across the forward line linking the play. The Brazilian had a good chance but failed to hit the target as Caldwell managed to put him off.
Birmingham were pushed back into their own half by the positive play of Maribor, with Hughton's side becoming increasingly negative, with Elliott effectively playing as a third central midfielder.
And this would cost the Championship side, when after 28 minutes Burke passed the ball back to an under pressure Jonathan Spector, who in turn knocked the ball back to keeper Doyle. Doyle missed the ball entirely with his attempted left foot volley, and striker Dalibor Volas finished coolly from the right side of the goal.
Birmingham continued to struggle for the rest of the first half, and did not get the ball forward quick enough to trouble the Slovenian side or use wide men Burke and Beausejour effectively.
The Blues started the second half in a much more positive vein however, playing a higher defensive line which allowed Burke and Beausejour to threaten. With Maribor lacking a pacey centre forward this restricted the space for their interplay around the edge of the box.
Burke got the reward after 63 minutes with a well taken equaliser after King did well to cushion the ball into his path with a reverse pass. Burke toe-poked the ball around the opposing centre back and finished left footed past keeper Handanovic.
Birmingham looked energised by the goal and grew stronger as the half progressed. The towering pressence of Nikola Zigic came on for King to give improved strength in the air and Elliott found more space in middle of the park.
And that space proved decisive. Elliott got the second goal after 78 minutes when Gomis found himself high up the pitch receiving a long ball. Elliott’s well stuck shot found its way under Handanovic after he failed to stop the shot diving to his left.
Birmingham defended with energy and threatened on the counter with the crossing of Burke and pace of Beausejour and saw out the win.
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Maribor started the game well, keeping possession and working neat triangles in a fluid 4-4-2 with full backs coming up the pitch, with forward Marcos Tavares dropping back, and right midfielder Mezga coming inside to link the play.
Birmingham defended confidently in the opening 15 minutes and played more direct, looking to get the ball out to Jean Beausejour and Chris Burke on the wings and find King with long balls up front. Elliott played in an midfield role behind lone striker Marlon King, tracking back in midfield to help defend and breaking forward to support King when they had the ball.
Birmingham’s direct attacks looked to have some promise with King doing well with his hold-up play and troubling centre backs Arghus and Potokar in the air. Beausejour also looked set to enjoy a good game with his pace looking threatening.
But the hosts grew stronger with Tavares floating across the forward line linking the play. The Brazilian had a good chance but failed to hit the target as Caldwell managed to put him off.
Birmingham were pushed back into their own half by the positive play of Maribor, with Hughton's side becoming increasingly negative, with Elliott effectively playing as a third central midfielder.
And this would cost the Championship side, when after 28 minutes Burke passed the ball back to an under pressure Jonathan Spector, who in turn knocked the ball back to keeper Doyle. Doyle missed the ball entirely with his attempted left foot volley, and striker Dalibor Volas finished coolly from the right side of the goal.
Birmingham continued to struggle for the rest of the first half, and did not get the ball forward quick enough to trouble the Slovenian side or use wide men Burke and Beausejour effectively.
The Blues started the second half in a much more positive vein however, playing a higher defensive line which allowed Burke and Beausejour to threaten. With Maribor lacking a pacey centre forward this restricted the space for their interplay around the edge of the box.
Burke got the reward after 63 minutes with a well taken equaliser after King did well to cushion the ball into his path with a reverse pass. Burke toe-poked the ball around the opposing centre back and finished left footed past keeper Handanovic.
Birmingham looked energised by the goal and grew stronger as the half progressed. The towering pressence of Nikola Zigic came on for King to give improved strength in the air and Elliott found more space in middle of the park.
And that space proved decisive. Elliott got the second goal after 78 minutes when Gomis found himself high up the pitch receiving a long ball. Elliott’s well stuck shot found its way under Handanovic after he failed to stop the shot diving to his left.
Birmingham defended with energy and threatened on the counter with the crossing of Burke and pace of Beausejour and saw out the win.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
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Top & Flop Global Ranking
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker Schalke |
14 | 3 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético Madrid |
12 | 1 |
|
Adrián
Striker Atlético Madrid |
10 | 0 |
|
Fernando Llorente Torres
Striker Bilbao |
7 | 2 |
|
Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo
Striker Metalist Kharki |
7 | 0 |
