Europa League: Lugano unluckily fails against CFR Cluj

(sda) Lugano failed in the second qualifying round of the Europa League against Romanian representative CFR Cluj. After a goalless draw in the first leg, the Ticino team lost 1-0 away after extra time.

Like the first leg in exile in Thun, the return leg in Romania offered few highlights. Lugano dominated the game but rarely found a gap in the home team's defense.

And yet, the Ticino team celebrated in the 50th and 67th minutes. Both times, however, Kevin Behrens' goal was disallowed by Dutch referee Allard Lindhout. First, because the ball had bounced off the German newcomer's hand before he shot, and then because Behrens was slightly offside when Renato Steffen passed the ball.

The home side scored their only goal of the match in the 6th minute of extra time, following a corner. Uran Bislimi came closest to equalizing and sending Mattia Croci-Torti's team to a penalty shootout. His shot in the 104th minute rattled the crossbar.

Despite the defeat, Lugano's dream of a European group stage appearance is not yet over. The Ticino club will now advance to the third qualifying round of the Conference League, where they will face Celje. Lugano has bad memories of the Slovenian club. Last year, they were eliminated by this opponent in the round of 16 of the Conference League on penalties.