PostedAugust 5, 2021, 22:52
In the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference Conference, Lucerne was slapped at home by Feyenoord Rotterdam (0-3). Basel, for its part, came out against Újpest (1-2).
Lucerne players were outclassed by Feyenoord on Thursday evening.
Martin Meienberger/freshfocus
Lucerne had lost the habit of being deprived of the European Cup. Systematically qualified for the preliminary rounds between 2016 and 2020 (without however managing to reach the final phase), the Bleu et Blancs had to be content with national competitions last season. So their return to the continental scene, this Thursday, constituted all the same a small event.
However, the opponent they got in the draw – le Feyenoord Rotterdam – promised an arduous entry into the running. This was not lacking, so much so that the qualification hopes of the Lucerne se are already almost flown. Fabio Celestini’s team were severely beaten in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference Conference (0-3).
The Dutch, 5th in their championship last season, opened the scoring in the 9th minute with Guus Til. The latter doubled the bet in the 38th. Then, as in St. Gallen last weekend, Lucerne scuttled with a huge error on the restart. Panicked by the opposing pressing, Vasic, the Lucerne goalkeeper, offered the ball to Sinisterra, located just in front of him. The striker did not need to be asked to complete the score (0-3).
Barring an improbable feat in Rotterdam next Thursday, Lucerne is already saying goodbye to Europe.
The other Swiss club still in the running, Basel, fared better. Opposed to the Hungarians of Újpest, the Rhine club won away (1-2). However, it was not an easy task: the locals took the lead through Frenchman Yohan Croizet (40th) and led at the break. In the second act, Arthur Carbral (55th) then Darian Males (75th) allowed the vice-champions of Switzerland to leave with victory.
After eliminating the Albanians from Partizani Tirana in the previous round, FC Basel is therefore on track to compete in the play-offs, the last stage before the final phase. But before that, it will be necessary to ensure next Thursday at the Parc Saint-Jacques.
