Postmatch editorial
The pre-match tension never quite broke
The final score was Maribor 1-1 Birkirkara. The draw was not the loudest pre-match angle, but the game never fully escaped its balance.
Paul Mbong put the first mark on the match 31', setting the tone for the rest of the night.
The raw numbers were a little messier than the result: Maribor led Total shots 20-3, even though the scoreboard went another way. Maribor also shaded Possession 76%-24%.
Before kickoff, the median bookmaker prices made Maribor the favourite at 80.0% implied probability. That market lean missed.
Market check
Market result
Maribor
80.0%
Key stats
Match numbers
Total shots
MariborMaribor
Birkirkara
20
3
Possession
MariborMaribor
Birkirkara
76%
24%
Corners
MariborMaribor
Birkirkara
10
2