Conference League playoffs: Tel aviv's Geschenke give Lugano Vorteil

In a rain‑soaked evening at the St. Gallen stadium, FC Lugano secured a 2‑1 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Conference League playoff first leg, earning a slim Vorteil heading into the return match. Both goals for the Swiss side came with the generous assistance of the visiting guests.

Rain‑soaked home advantage

The Playoff-Hinspiel took place at Lugano's Hause under a torrent of Regen.

Das Tessin empfing die Gäste aus Israel mit starkem Regen.

Both Tessiner Tore kamen dank der Geschenke der Gäste mit Mithilfe der Gäste.

Beide Tore kamen nach schneller Ballzirkulation.

Swiss clubs feel the fallout

In the 54th minute Tyrese Asante entered the Strafraum and stripped Yanis Cimignani of the Ball without a chance, creating a clear Chance and Fall.

Der Schiedsrichter entschied sofort und das Ergebnis wurde ein Gastgeschenk für Lugano, als Anto Grgic calmly slotted the Tor.

This response came after the brief equaliser that Lugano had just conceded.

Ido Shahar then netted from eleven metres to restore the 1‑1 balance.

Doch Lugano reclaimed the lead moments later.

Anto Grgic converted his 17th penalty in the white‑black shirt, sealing the advantage.

The decisive chance arrived when Kevin Behrens delivered a cross that Yanis Cimignani headed past the Maccabi goalkeeper, adding another Tor.

St. Gallen and Sion suffered Niederlagen in the other Partien of the same round, highlighting the difficulty Swiss clubs face in European competition.

Das Ergebnis zeigte die Herausforderungen für die Schweiz.

Both clubs were unable to match Lugano's performance despite the same conditions.

Meanwhile, Thun was overwhelmed in the Europa-League-Qualifikation, losing 0‑7 on the night.

The heavy defeat underscored the gap between Swiss teams and their continental opponents.

It also left Thun with a daunting task ahead in the competition.

The rain‑filled evening contradicted the notion of a Sonnenstube der Schweiz, where fans might expect a cozy atmosphere.

Yet Maccabi Tel Aviv still delivered Gastgeschenke in the form of a penalty and a disciplined defence.

Lugano now enjoys a brief respite in the Super League, with no domestic match this weekend.

The return leg is scheduled for Thursday at 18:00 in Batumi, Georgia, completing the two‑leg Hinspiel tie.

Both sides will look to either protect or overturn the current Vorteil.

The outcome will determine which club advances in the Conference League.