Conference League Lugano narrowly lose first leg of round of 16 tie against Celje

Lugano lost the first leg of the round of 16 in the Conference League against the Slovenian champions Celje 0:1. Tamar Svetlin's goal in the 23rd minute left the Ticino side without an answer. This means they will have to turn around a deficit in Thun in a week's time.

Lugano's slump in form has now also reached the European places. After losing twice in the Super League without scoring a goal of their own and having to bury their hopes of reaching another Cup final against Biel from the Promotion League in between, the Ticino side lost the first leg of the round of 16 of the Conference League against Slovenian champions Celje 0:1 on Thursday.

The Luganesi had performed confidently for the most part at the third-highest European level. With the exception of the defeat at Serbian club Backa Topola (1:4), Mattia Croci-Torti's team scored in every game and qualified directly for the round of 16 in sixth place.

Since that last game of the league phase before Christmas, however, some of the Bianconeri's confidence has evaporated. And their goal threat. Lugano failed to score for the fourth time in a row against the Slovenian champions, who are currently only fifth in the domestic championship, 16 points behind Ljubljana.

Unnecessary sending off in the final minutes

Georgios Koutsias, on loan from partner club Chicago Fire in January, had Lugano's best chance after half an hour. After the break, Mattia Bottani had a promising finish. However, the veteran, who will miss the second leg due to a suspension, also failed to beat the Slovenian side's Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo Silva.

Croci-Torti's team did not manage much more in attack. And because Antonios Papadopoulos committed an assault in stoppage time, the Ticino man will be forced to make changes both up front and at the back in the Stockhorn Arena in Thun next Thursday.

There have certainly been better starting positions for a heroic comeback.

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NK Celje

Completed

1:0

(1:0)

FC Lugano

• Tamar Svetlin - 1:0 (23.)

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91.
91st minute: Papadopoulos is shown the red card
32.
32nd minute: Koutsias misses a good chance to equalize
23.
23rd minute: Svetlin puts Celje ahead against Lugano
11.
11. minute: Hajdari like Maldini in his prime
90.+7.
End of 2nd half
90.+5.
Substitution in FC Lugano
Daniel Dos Santos
Midfielder
90.+5.
Substitution out FC Lugano

Milton Valenzuela
Midfielder
90.+5.
Substitution in FC Lugano
Ayman El Wafi
Defender
90.+5.
Substitution out FC Lugano

Renato Steffen
Striker
90.+4.
Yellow card NK Celje
Klemen Nemanic
90.+2.
Red card FC Lugano (direct)
Antonios Papadopoulos
88.
Substitution in NK Celje
Nino Kouter
Midfielder
88.
Substitution out NK Celje
Tamar Svetlin
Midfielder
84.
Substitution in NK Celje
Edmilson Filho
Striker
84.
Substitution out NK Celje
Armandas Kucys
Striker
80.
Substitution in FC Lugano
Yanis Cimignani
Midfielder
80.
Substitution out FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
Striker
72.
Substitution in NK Celje
Damjan Vukliševic
Defender
72.
Substitution out NK Celje
Lukasz Bejger
Defender
62.
Substitution in FC Lugano

Kacper Przybylko
Striker
62.
Substitution out FC Lugano

Georgios Koutsias
Striker
59.
Yellow card FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
52.
Yellow card NK Celje
Armandas Kucys
46.
Substitution in NK Celje
Marco Dulca
Midfielder
46.
Substitution out NK Celje
Mario Kvesic
Midfielder
46.
Kick-off 2nd half
45.+4.
End of 1st half
23.
Goal for NK Celje, 1:0 through Tamar Svetlin (Logan Delaurier Chaubet)
Tamar Svetlin
Midfielder
Assist: Logan Delaurier Chaubet
Striker
16.
Yellow card FC Lugano
Albian Hajdari
1.
Start of the match