Belgian journalists wrote that both teams played below average and the match was boring. Not only because of the poor football, but also because of the lack of spectators. They compared the atmosphere at the stadium to the period when clubs were forced to play in empty stadiums due to the coronavirus epidemic. The final result - a 1-1 draw - was considered fairer than not by Belgian journalists, but they wrote that it was the result of underestimation on the part of Ghent, which before the match was called the clear favourite in Belgium and was confident that it would be able to win without any problems.
Photo: fotospor.comNieuwsblad
"Missed opportunities for Ghent: "Buffaloes start with a bad draw in the group stage of the Conference League" - the journalist of the Nieuwsblad website is disappointed with the Belgian team's performance, because everyone was sure that Ghent would start with a victory. He also noted that it was difficult to play in an almost empty stadium.
"Prediction before the match: Gent should have no problems with Zorya. Conclusion after the match: "The Buffaloes missed their chance to start the group stage perfectly with an away win. Thus, the score of 1-1 can be considered fair, and Gent is making life difficult for itself, although it is too early to draw global conclusions.
This match left a mixed impression for another reason. That's why we don't miss the coronavirus. An empty stadium, where the only sound you could hear was the shouts of coaches, players, and sometimes CEO Michel Louwagy. Everyone is used to this, so it seems strange. The few fans, no more than 250 in number, were unable to drown out the shouts on the pitch. This is what happens when a Ukrainian team has to play its home games in Poland. This unpleasant atmosphere does not lead to good football either.
Gent's coach was already hoarse at the end of the match, but even his terrific tips did not help the team to snatch the victory at the end of the game, although Gent was close. A missed opportunity to get 3 points."
HLN
"It wasn't even worth watching." Hein Vanhaezebroek was harsh in his remarks after a weak Gent failed to beat Zorya Luhansk. The journalist of the HLN website says that the coach of the Belgian club said the right words, referring to the performance of his team and the match in general, which could hardly be liked by anyone. "Ghent disappointed Belgium once again, and this is becoming a nasty habit, especially away from home.
"Damn!" Hein Vanhaezebroek cursed his team so loudly that it was clearly audible during the match. The Ghent coach's curses echoed around the deserted arena. "The Buffaloes disappointed and drew with Zorya Luhansk. "We played incredibly slowly. The guys who cost the club so much played so badly. It was unbelievable." Like a car with a broken gearbox. That's exactly how Ghent played in the first half. A slight acceleration could have broken Zorya Luhansk. But it didn't. Hein Vanhaezebroek sighed and shook his head: "No, we just couldn't do it again." The whole of Belgium agrees with him. It's getting tiresome.
Could the gloomy situation have something to do with it? It is quite likely. The atmosphere of the coronavirus reigned in the Lublin Arena. There were... about 250 spectators at the 15,000-seat stadium. Well, that's a shame. It's sad if you have to play your European "home games" like that because of the war. But this should not be an excuse for Ghent, who have been playing poorly away from home for several years now, even when the stadium is packed with fans."
Sporza
"Gent cannot remove the lock from the Ukrainian door" - Sporza journalist believes that the Belgian club deserved a better result, but still did not play well enough to be too upset about the draw.
"Ghent failed to win its first round in the group stage of the Conference League. Kuipers opened the scoring in the middle of the second half, but the home side levelled immediately. "Ghent deserved more, but they were unable to win. Almost everyone in Ghent performed below average. Zorya also played poorly, with only one name standing out. The goal scorer, Guerrero, played well several times, and with his goal he brought his club an important point.
Gent doesn't seem to be doing very well away from home in the Conference League. Last season, the Buffaloes also scored only 2 goals out of 9 in away group stage matches."
