Di’Shon Bernard starred in a resolute defence as Sheffield Wednesday defied heavy Bristol City pressure to earn a battling 0-0 draw in the Championship.
The centre-back was outstanding in a game of few clear chances, which ended in frustration for Liam Manning’s Robins and relief for the massed ranks of travelling Wednesday fans.
City had the better of the exchanges for much of the match, but failed to turn their possession into enough clear opportunities against Danny Rohl’s well-organised team.
Both managers made two changes, City bringing in Cameron Pring and Joe Williams, while Wednesday’s starting line-up included Bernard, back from suspension, and Anthony Musaba.
Neither side could create much in an opening 20 minutes that ended with Jason Knight shooting wide from City’s first worthwhile opportunity.
Both teams tried to build through midfield, but could not summon up the right final pass.
Defender Zak Vyner brought the first save from Owls goalkeeper James Beadle with a low 27th-minute shot and moments later fired wide from a better chance created by Anis Mehmeti’s cross from the left.
City were using the full width of the pitch with Mehmeti attacking down the left and Yu Hirakawa posing problems for Wednesday’s defence down the right.
Mehmeti almost broke the deadlock in the 34th minute finding himself unmarked 10 yards out and bringing a flying save from Beadle with a firm, well-placed header.
The home side were increasingly dominant, but could not make their pressure tell as Scott Twine fired wildly wide with an ambitious 40th-minute volley from distance.
The pattern stayed the same at the start of the second half, with City’s Joe Williams having a shot blocked for a corner.
Wednesday were struggling to feature as an attacking force, but with Bernard strongly marshalling a solid defence, they were hard to penetrate.
Both sides had penalty appeals turned down and each manager made changes around the hour mark.
Still the goals refused to come as Knight headed over for City and Barry Bannan shot wide from Wednesday’s best chance in the 70th minute.
That effort brought the travelling fans behind the goal to life and their team responded by forcing two corners in quick succession.
For the first time, the visitors enjoyed a spell of pressurising the home defence and Michael Smith headed straight at City goalkeeper Max O’Leary from another Bannan corner.
But it was City who created the last, and one of the best, chances of the game in stoppage time when substitutes Nahki Wells and Mark Sykes combined only for the latter to see his shot from a narrow angle saved by Beadle’s outstretched leg.
[(Racing Club de Avellaneda) Strength]: 1. Racing Club de Avellaneda lost their first encounter 0-1, so they cannot afford any loss this time and must go all out to win, fully motivated.2. In the last domestic league game, Adrian Balboa performed well and scored the first goal to put the team ahead.3. Racing Club de Avellaneda scored 5 goals and conceded 5 in the last 5 games with good performance...
[(Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Strength]: 1. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors performed stably across all competitions this season. Since April, the team have remained unbeaten in the last 20 matches.2. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at halftime in 4 consecutive games, getting into form quickly on offense.3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at least 2 goals per game in 5 consecutive matches, showing strong attack.4....
[(Velez Sarsfield) Strength]: 1. During their first encounter, Velez Sarsfield played a goalless draw. In this home game, they vow to grab a win and advance, with full motivation.2. Braian Romero withstood the pressure in the last game and scored a penalty in the final moment, helping the team seal a last-gasp victory.3. Velez Sarsfield defeated Club Atletico Independiente 2-1 in the last game, wh...
[(Ferencvaros) Strength]: 1. Ferencvaros are motivated to win this home game and take the lead in advancing.2. Cadu scored a goal in the last game, once helping the team tie the game.3. Ferencvaros received 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 4 home games, revealing outstanding home performances.4. Ferencvaros scored 11 goals and conceded 3 in the last 5 games, boasting excellent attack and solid defens...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. The first leg of the Semi-finals will see Gwangju FC play at home first. They hope to grab the advantage, with full motivation.2. Gwangju FC forward Reis scored twice in the last game, being in good form.3. Gwangju FC performed well and scored a 2-0 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen in hte last game, thus getting back on the winning ways.4. AH market provided home team a -1...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. In the last league game, Korean internationals Oh Se Hun and Na Sang Ho both scored in open play, showing decent performances.2. This game is FC Machida Zelvia's fourth consecutive home game, which is in favor of them.3. FC Machida Zelvia won 3-0 over Cerezo Osaka in the last league game, securing a 10-game winning streak across all competitions.4. FC Machida Zel...
[(Crvena Zvezda) Strength]: 1. Crvena Zvezda vow to win this home game in order to grab the advancing advantage, with full motivation.2. Aleksandar Katai performed very well in the last domestic league game. He scored a hat-trick in a win for the team.3. Crvena Zvezda defeated Mladost Lucani 4-1 in the last domestic league game. They achieved 7 wins and 1 draw in the last 8 games, being in red-hot...
[(Sao Paulo FC) Strength]: 1. Sao Paulo FC drew with Atletico Nacional in the first leg on the road. They will advance to the next round if they win this round at home, indicating full motivation to win.2. Sao Paulo FC signed Serie A team Atalanta BC captain Rafael Toloi recently. He is expected to make his debut in this match.3. Sao Paulo FC drew 2-2 with Sport Club do Recife in the last league g...
[(Chengdu Rongcheng FC) Strength]: 1. Chengdu Rongcheng FC drew 0-0 with Qingdao Hainiu F.C. in the last Chinese Super League, ending their winning streak. However, the team were unbeaten with 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 games, showing commendable performances.2. Chengdu Rongcheng FC scored 12 goals in the last 5 home games, revealing outstanding attack at home.3. Chengdu Rongcheng FC are now ...
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have achieved 14 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in the league so far this season. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 18 goals in 26 league matches, and currently rank 5th in the league standings. The team will play at home in this game and have a strong desire to win.2. Naoto Arai, the main defender of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, has performed stea...
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