Espérance Sportive de Tunis Held to a Goalless Draw by Stade Malien in Champions League Opener
In their first Champions League match, Espérance Sportive de Tunis faced a solid Stade Malien formation and conceded a goalless draw (0-0) at their home stadium, Stade de Radès. The draw tasted like a missed opportunity for the Tunisian team, who failed to capitalize on their chances in front of thousands of their supporters, while Stade Malien built a fortress and defended it with unwavering dedication.
From the start, the conditions seemed to be in place for a great performance. Despite missing their two Algerian pillars, Youcef Belaili and Mohamed Amine Tougaï, Espérance showed no signs of weakness. Carried by the energy of their home stadium, the teammates of Yassine Meriah imposed their game and dominated the ball, as expected from a favorite. The flanks, both right and left, came alive with a beautiful vivacity, creating a powerful and sustained game.
The first serious alert came in the 12th minute. On a direct free kick, captain Meriah stepped up, but his shot unfortunately did not find the net, depriving Espérance of the liberating goal that would have changed the complexion of the match. This opportunity marked the peak of a first 15 minutes of play entirely dominated by Maher Kenzari's team.
Seeing his team under pressure, the Cameroonian coach of Stade Malien revised his plans. The Malian block tightened, becoming more compact and difficult to penetrate. Although Espérance maintained their dominance until halftime, they became sterile, facing a well-organized defense.
The proof of this ineffectiveness was evident in the 41st minute: served by Chiheb Jebali, the Franco-Ivorian striker Florian Danho, although well-placed, failed to frame his shot. A waste that the entire stadium felt like a bad omen. The South African referee Tom Abongile blew the halftime whistle on a scoreless draw, leaving a sense of incompleteness.
The second half began on the same basis. Espérance resumed their assault with the same intensity, while the Malians, resigned to defending, camped in their half of the field. In the 48th minute, Teka's header from close range was well caught by the Malian goalkeeper Traoré. The vice seemed to be tightening, but the goal did not come.
Impatient, Maher Kenzari tried to shake up his team. In the 63rd minute, he brought in Achref Jabri in place of the Algerian Kousaila Boualia. The impact was almost immediate, but the young hopeful, freshly arrived, missed the frame on a beautiful pass (68th minute). Then came the coup de grâce: in the 70th minute, Abdramane Konaté, in front of empty nets, missed the inevitable after the Malian goalkeeper countered a Danho attempt.
Despite a final resort - the entry of Koussay Maacha in place of Konaté in the 88th minute, and five long minutes of added time - Espérance, completely rushed forward, did not find the gap. Stade Malien, thanks to the tactical adjustments of their coach Mauryl Mesack, held firm.
The domination was there, the opportunities too, but the cold efficiency was lacking. The trip of Espérance to Luanda for the return match next Saturday promises to be perilous.
Espérance ST lineup: Bechir Ben Said, Mohamed Ben Ali (Bouzayène), Hamza Jelassi, Yassine Meriah, Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida, Onuche Ogbelu, Houssem Tka, Chiheb Jebali, Abdramane Konaté, Kouceila Boualia (Jabri), Florian Danho (Diakité).
