Julio Enciso’s penalty miss caps grim night as Strasbourg lose 0-1 to Rayo Vallecano | OneFootball

Julio Enciso endured a grim night as Strasbourg lost 0-1 at Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League semi-final second leg, his stoppage-time penalty saved.

In the 93rd minute he took a deep breath, then drove his kick mid-height to Augusto Batalla’s right, the goalkeeper pushing it away on what was his first touch in the Spanish box. According to Canal+, Diego Moreira said Joaquin Panichelli is the designated taker and, with him out, a list was followed. It was Strasbourg’s third missed penalty in this competition.

Deployed again as the central striker with Panichelli and Emmanuel Emegha absent, the Paraguayan was a bystander for long spells. This was his fifth match leading the line for Racing, after brighter outings against Nice in Ligue 1, a 3-1 win on 4 April, and especially the 4-0 quarter-final second leg against Mainz when he scored and supplied two assists.

Little came off here. Enciso failed with all six of his dribbles and produced only a few rare drop-offs that led to attempts. He released Martial Godo, who shot off target on 69 minutes, then Valentin Barco was denied at the last by Pep Chavarría on 73 minutes.

Those were his only flashes until the penalty, which followed a brief squabble as Godo tried to take the ball before Andrew Omobamidele stepped in. It rounded off a night when Enciso, usually so incisive, could not affect the tie.

Source: L'Équipe