Lugano need a win in Turkey in a week's time to qualify for the Europa League. The Ticino side, who have at least qualified for the Conference League, drew 3-3 against Besiktas Istanbul in the first leg in Thun.
In its third "home game" of the current European Cup qualifiers in the Stockhorn Arena, Lugano twice overturned a deficit. Among others, Renato Steffen and Brazilian Gabriel Paulista scored an own goal to turn a 1:3 deficit into a 3:3 within six minutes.
Gedson Fernandes scored twice for the visitors - the first 1:0 after 20 minutes with the first shot on Lugano's goal, the second 2:1 at the start of the second half after a perfect assist from Rafa Silva. Shortly afterwards, Moatasem Al-Musrati made it 3:1 after a corner.
Lugano goalkeeper Amir Saipi did not look good at 0:1, a slightly deflected low shot into the near corner, and defended Antonios Papadopoulos a little too passively. 13 minutes later, Uran Bislimi equalized after an attack with a tiki-taka vibe. His 1:1 goal came at the end of a 17-pass chain.
Excluding the second-goal deficit, Lugano were poorly served with the 3:3. The Ticino side were at least on a par with the Turkish Cup winners, who strengthened their squad in the summer with Italian striker Ciro Immobile. Renato Steffen's attacking actions and technical skills in particular stood out.
Nevertheless, the task in Istanbul next Thursday will be a delicate one: Swiss clubs have only won two of their 18 games in Turkey in the European Cup. However, Lugano were responsible for one of them against Besiktas - last season in the group stage of the Conference League (3:2 after 0:2 thanks to three goals after the 80th minute).
As against Fenerbahce Istanbul in qualifying for the Champions League and against Partizan Belgrade one level below, the Luganesi felt they had an away game in their exile in the Bernese Oberland. Fewer than 500 Lugano fans made the journey from Ticino to the Stockhorn Arena, while Besiktas attracted more than 5,000 Turkish fans to the stadium. Only the artificial turf was an advantage for the Luganesi, who are more used to the surface from the Super League.
Lugano will not feel too much pressure ahead of the second leg. If the Ticino side fail to win in Istanbul, they will play in the Conference League from September.
The telegram
Lugano - Besiktas Istanbul 3:3 (1:1)
Thun. - SR Krogh (DEN). -
Goals: 21 Gedson Fernandes 0:1. 34 Bislimi 1:1. 52 Gedson Fernandes 1:2. 55 Al-Musrati 1:3. 56 Steffen 2:3. 63 Gabriel Paulista (own goal) 3:3.
Lugano: Saipi; Zanotti, Papadopoulos, El Wafi, Valenzuela; Bislimi (85. Bottani), Doumbia (62. Grgic), Belhadj (85. Dos Santos); Steffen, Vladi (62. Przybylko), Aliseda (71. Mahou).
The live ticker for the replay
FC Lugano
Besiktas
- Uran Bislimi - 1:1 (34.)
- Renato Steffen - 2:3 (57.)
- Gabriel Paulista - 3:3 (64.)
- (21.) 0:1 - Gedson Fernandes
- (52.) 1:2 - Gedson Fernandes
- (55.) 1:3 - Al Motasim Al Musrati
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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90th minute
End of the match
The game is over. Lugano show great morale against Besiktas and draw 3-3 after being 3-1 down.
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85th minute
The final minutes
The two teams have obviously exhausted themselves. Not much has happened in the last few minutes.
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72nd minute
The game has calmed down
After this turbulent phase, the game has now calmed down somewhat. It was hardly possible otherwise. Both teams had to take a breather and made several changes.
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63rd minute
Own goal from Fenerbahce
It's unbelievable! Lugano are back in the game. A cross from Zanotti is deflected into his own goal by Paulista. That was the fourth goal in 11 minutes. What a crazy second half.
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57th minute
Steffen can react immediately
Renato Steffen brings Ticino back into the game practically with the counter-attack. The Swiss international flicks the ball beautifully into the far corner.
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55th minute
Besiktas increase the lead to 3:1
Now it's getting bitter. After a corner, Al Musrati rises highest and scores with his head to make it 3:1 for the visitors from Istanbul.
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52nd minute
Gedson scores twice
Lugano fall behind again. After a wonderful combination via Rafa Silva, it is Gedson Fernandes again who strikes the heart of the Lugano goal. The Portuguese now scores twice.
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45th minute
Break in Thun
Besiktas get into the game a little better in the final minutes before the break. Good, it's time for a break now. Overall, it was a good performance from the Swiss.
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38th minute
Vladi misses with his head
FC Lugano almost take the lead: Vladi gets to the ball after a corner, but heads the ball just wide of the right-hand post.
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34th minute
Bislimi equalizes the game
There's the well-deserved equalizer! Bislimi is beautifully released in the penalty area and keeps his cool in front of goal. 1:1, everything is level again!
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30th minute
Lugano cold showered
Lugano are badly served with the 0:1 after half an hour. The Bianconeri have been the much better team so far. Since conceding the goal, however, they have lost their way.
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21st minute
Besiktas take the lead
The first chance for Besiktas and the goal straight away. A long ball to Gedson Fernandes is enough. The Portuguese moves towards the middle and his shot is slightly deflected into the far corner.
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17.
Lugano close to 1:0 again
Lugano almost take the lead here. Renato Steffen controls a ball magisterially and then crosses to the second post. Aliseda runs onto it, but his shot is cleared on the goal line.
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10.
Good start from Lugano
The Ticino side are by no means hiding here and have more of the play so far. However, when Besiktas get forward, things move quickly. However, apart from one shot from Rashica, it has never been really dangerous so far.
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3.
Lugano almost take the lead
Steffen comes down the left flank and delivers the ball sharply to the middle. Vladi doesn't really believe in his chance and misses the ball.
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1.
Kick-off
The game begins and it has to be said: Lugano play their home game in Thun against Besiktas as an away game. The Turks have an incredible number of fans in the Stockhorn Arena.
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The Besiktas line-up
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The FC Lugano line-up
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Lugano hosts Besiktas Istanbul
Lugano will play Besiktas Istanbul for qualification for the group stage of the Europa League. The Ticino side will first play at home in Thun. Kick-off is at 20:30.
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90.End of 2nd half
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85.Substitution in FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
Midfielder
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85.Substitution out FC Lugano
Uran Bislimi
Midfielder
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85.Substitution in FC Lugano
Daniel Dos Santos
Midfielder
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85.Substitution out FC Lugano
Hadj Mahmoud
Midfielder
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84.Yellow card Besiktas
Jean Onana
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77.Yellow card FC Lugano
Milton Valenzuela
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71.Substitution in Besiktas
Ernest Muçi
Midfielder
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71.Substitution out Besiktas
Milot Rashica
Midfielder
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71.Substitution in Besiktas
Mustafa Erhan Hekimoglu
Striker
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71.Substitution out Besiktas
Ciro Immobile
Striker
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71.Substitution in FC Lugano
Hicham Mahou
Midfielder
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71.Substitution out FC Lugano
Ignacio Aliseda
Striker
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64.Goal for FC Lugano, 3:3 through an own goal by Gabriel Paulista
Gabriel Paulista
Defender
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62.Substitution in FC Lugano
Kacper Przybylko
Striker
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62.Substitution out FC Lugano
Shkelqim Vladi
Striker
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62.Substitution in FC Lugano
Anto Grgic
Midfielder
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62.Substitution out FC Lugano
Ousmane Doumbia
Midfielder
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58.Substitution in Besiktas
Jean Onana
Midfielder
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58.Substitution out Besiktas
Cher N'Dour
Midfielder
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57.Goal for FC Lugano, 2:3 through Renato Steffen
Renato Steffen
Striker
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55.Goal for Besiktas, 1:3 through Al Motasim Al Musrati
Al Motasim Al Musrati
Midfielder
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52.Goal for Besiktas, 1:2 through Gedson Fernandes
Gedson Fernandes
Midfielder
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47.Yellow card FC Lugano
Ousmane Doumbia
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+2.Yellow card Besiktas
Cher N'Dour
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45.+2.End of 1st half
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34.Goal for FC Lugano, 1:1 through Uran Bislimi
Uran Bislimi
Midfielder
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21.Goal for Besiktas, 0:1 through Gedson Fernandes
Gedson Fernandes
Midfielder
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1.Start of the match
