UEFA Europa League round 3 qualifer, second leg
Venue: Stockhorn Arena, Thun
Att: 2268
Kick-off time: 8.30pm CET
Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (ESP)
Yellow cards: Hajdari, Valenzuela, El Wafi (Off the pitch), Belhadj, Steffen, Doumbia (LGN) – Arriaga, Zubairu, Stanojevic (off the pitch) (PRT)
Red cards: Hajdari (LGN)
GOALS: 0-1 `44 Zahid, 1-1 `48 Steffen, 1-2 `67 Markovic, 2-2 `111 Belhadj
Teams:
LUGANO
Saipi, Zanotti, Papadopoulos, Hajdari, Valenzuela, Doumbia, Grgic (Belhadj 63), Steffen (Brault-Guillard 117), Bislimi (Mai 88), Dos Santos (Vladi 54), Aliseda (Mahou 64, Marques 117)
PARTIZAN
Jovanovic, de Medina, Markovic, Mujakic, Jurcevic, Arriaga (Natcho 113), Zahid (Owusu 89), Goh (Saldanha HT), Zubairu (Grimaldo 64), Severina (Trifunovic 89), Kalulu (Nikolic 64)
Thun, August 15
Partizan missed a great opportunity to reach UEFA Europa League play-off stage after 10-man Lugano manage to score a match decider in extra-time.
Boss Stanojevic made one line-up change from the first leg – Saldanha was benched, Kalulu was put upfront while Goh earned a start as a result.
Aliseda sent a shot from distance way over the bar on 8 and four mins later Zubairu headed the ball wide from close range after Jurcevic`s corner-kick ball onto the far post.
Arriaga was booked on 17 for his careless tackle on Grgic and Zubairu joined him on 33 after fouling Hajdari inside Lugano box.
On 39, lively Severina did a great job on the right flank sending an inviting cross for charging Zubairu who missed the ball completely, unmarked at the far post.
Severina managed to take a shot inside the box on 41, but it was a difficult and weak effort and no trouble for Lugano keeper.
But, three minutes later, Severina made a fine solo run, left the ball for Zahid who set himself to shot with his right foot and managed to place the ball into the left side of the net from edge of the box. 1-0, Partizan!!
Just before half-time whistle, Valenzuela prompt Jovanovic to make a save from his long range effort.
Stanojevic introduced Saldanha for Goh at half-time but three minutes into the second half and Lugano scored. Steffen managed to squeeze a shot from close range to make it 1-1.
Fine Partizan build-up on 56 ended with a Arriaga`s 20m low shot wide.
Nikolic and Grimaldo came in for Kalulu and Zubairu on 64 and two mins later Jurcevic`s angled left-footed drive was saved by the keeper while Jurcevic managed to win a corner-kick after the rebound.
Partizan took another from the resulting corner-kick. Zahid took it and Markovic headed it into the net on the far post. 2-1, Partizan!!
It was quiet until the last ten mins of the game when Jovanovic made two excellent saves and Lugano also hit the crossbar.
On 88, Hajdari received his second yellow card and had to be sent-off.
Owusu and Trifunovic came in for Zahid and Severina on 89.
In the extra-time, 10-man Lugano was first to threat. Vladi hit the outside netting after his angled shot on the counter-attack.
Grimaldo crossed it for Trifunovic on 102 but young winger`s header was comfortably saved by Saipi.
Arriaga 20m free-kick shot on 109 ended just wide but two mins later Lugano equalized after another Partizan defensive far post confusion. Mai beat Jovanovic from close range.
Stanojevic introduced Natcho for Arriaga on 113 but number of crosses he sent into the box from open play or corner-kicks were dealt by home defence.
Partizan will now join UEFA Conference League play-off stage and pair with Belgians Gent for a final opportunity for our team to reach group stage of one European competition.
Before next week`s European tie, Partizan will play SSL home game against Radnicki Nis on Sunday.
