Hearts lost badly to Copenhagen in the Conference League tonight, scarcely putting a glove on them.
After winning the previous two, this is the third straight loss in the competition without a goal, and their chances of advancing to the knockout stages now depend on their home match against Moldovans Petrocub next week.
Hearts kept the score tied for the first forty-five minutes, but Copenhagen was superior throughout.
However, the Danes took the lead through Amin Chiakha after shoddy defence early in the second half, and Kevin Diks’ penalty sealed the victory.
Craig Gordon made two or three outstanding saves to keep the score low, but it could have been much worse.
If the Jambos are to advance, they must perform better at Tynecastle the following week. Kilmarnock is the first important league game on Sunday.
Hearts supporters critique the Copenhagen performance.
Since his appointment, the majority of Hearts supporters have supported the team and new manager Neil Critchley. But even with better results, they are still in the bottom half of the league.
The previous European match against Cercle Brugge did not impress them, and tonight was no different.
Despite facing a formidable team, most supporters thought it was a subpar performance.
On social media, one Hearts supporter wrote: “A good side, but f**k me didn’t lay a glove on them.” Honking! Sunday is a big day.
“We have nullified Spittal and Penrice on the left, a forward 3 that looks lost, and a midfield 3 that isn’t stopping forward passes,” another person remarked.
They deserved to lose, this fan argued. Never a penalty, but moving forward, we made no offer at all. Our attackers must do more than merely walk or play it conservatively, even at 1-0. So impoverished.
“Hopefully, the team might actually be interested in offering something going forward next time,” another person remarked. Even if Denmark were excellent, 90 minutes of defence is insufficient.
Hearts supporters swarm the referee.
With Andrea Colombo and his VAR crew receiving harsh criticism for the second-half penalty goal, it wasn’t just the team winning.
The referee initially gave Craig Gordon a foul as he came out to confront Mohammed Elyounoussi and seemed to touch the ball.
However, Jambos were not pleased when it was altered to a spot kick following a VAR review.
“That’s a shocking decision to give a penalty,” one person stated. Are keepers no longer permitted to attend a ball?
“Sorry, but to penalise that is a complete farce,” another person remarked.
Another said, “It’s absolutely perplexing how that’s a penalty.” The referee was the only person in the stadium who believed it to be a penalty.
