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Besiktas edges out Lugano in a thrilling Europa League Play-off first leg
Thun, Switzerland – Besiktas defeated FC Lugano 4-3 in a thrilling first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off, played at the Stockhorn Arena in Thun, Switzerland.
The match started at a frantic pace with both teams eager to attack. Besiktas took the lead in the 21st minute with a goal from G. Fernandes, assisted by Gabriel Paulista. However, FC Lugano equalized in the 34th minute through a goal from U. Bislimi, assisted by M. Zanotti.
Besiktas regained the lead in the 51st minute with another goal from G. Fernandes, this time assisted by Rafa Silva. Besiktas did not settle for the lead and scored two more goals in the 55th and 57th minutes. The first was scored by Al Musrati, assisted by A. Masuaku, and the second was scored by R. Steffen, assisted by I. Aliseda.
FC Lugano refused to give up and managed to narrow the gap in the 63rd minute with an own goal from Gabriel Paulista. The Swiss team tried to reduce the deficit in the final minutes of the game but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Besiktas took the victory in an exciting match that was marked by the high number of goals and the intensity of both teams.
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Substitutions besiktas: at minute 58 J. Onana came in and C. Ndour went out., at minute 71 M. Hekimoglu came in and C. Immobile went out., at minute 71 E. Muci came in and M. Rashica went out.
Substitutions fc lugano: at minute 63 K. Przybylko came in and S. Vladi went out., at minute 63 A. Grgic came in and O. Doumbia went out., at minute 71 H. Mahou came in and I. Aliseda went out., at minute 85 M. Bottani came in and U. Bislimi went out., at minute 85 D. Dos Santos came in and M. Belhadj went out.
The teams lined up as follows:
FC Lugano
Titulares:
Besiktas
Titulares:
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