Preview:
Maccabi arrived at the picturesque AIL Arena in Switzerland ahead of the Conference League Play-Off 1st leg match against FC Lugano. Kenny Miller’s side that began their European campaign in the Europa League qualifying stages, know that a good result in Lugano would increase their chances of securing a place in the League phase ahead of next week’s return leg in Batumi. On the back of the 3-1 victory against CSKA Sofia last week, which was followed Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Maccabi Netanya in the Toto Cup Semi Final, Maccabi now face a tough Swiss opponent that lead their domestic league table with a perfect record of three victories from three matches. Kenny Miller made no changes from the side that won in Sofia last week as Ofek Melika kept his place in goal. Ali Camara and Raz Shomo were the two central defenders while Tyrese Asante on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completed Maccabi’s back-four. Issouf Sissokho in the anchorman role was joined by Ido Shahar and Dor Peretz who captain the side on his 92nd European appearance for the club. Osher Davida who set up two goals in Sofia started on one wing while Helio Varela who scored the winning goal at Netanya, was named on the opposite flank. Ester, who scored his debut Maccabi goal against CSKA Sofia last week, led the line as the 27-year-old Slovenia striker sperheaded Maccabi’s attack.
First half:
The heavy rain in Lugano’s AIL Arena supplied a wet playing surface which guaranteed high tempo for this match. While Maccabi took the early initiative, Lugano’s defense managed to clear a Dor Peretz square ball from deep inside their penalty area. In the 6th minute however Lugano came close as Yanis Cimignani managed to sneak behind Maccabi’s defense but send his half volley over Ofek Melika’s crossbar. A Maccabi counter attack in the 17th minute should have resulted with the opener after Osher Davida’s pace down the left proved too much for Cimingnani. Davida then floated a pinpoint cross into the path of Helio Varela whose powerful volley from the center of the area sailed high over the crossbar.
Right on the hour nark Lugano took the lead as Cimingnani floated what seemed like a harmless cross into the box before Melika came off his but was beaten by a Kevin Behrens header. Cimingnani continued to be involved in everything Lugano created as in the 36th minute he found himself in plenty of space down the left before his low drive hit the side netting.
Second half:
Miller made no changes after the interval as less than sixty seconds from the restart Maccabi were back on level terms. Roy Revivo broke down the left and cut the ball back for Ido Shahar who drilled the ball into the bottom corner to celebrate his 25th birthday with a goal. Six minutes later however, Lugano were awarded a penalty after Tyrese Asante was penalized for a tackle on Cimingnani. Anto Grgic stepped up sent Melika the wrong way and restored Lugano’s lead. Asante limped off on 55 with Miller making a double change Noam Ben Harosh for the Dutch defender while Saied Abu Farchi came on for Ester Sokler.
Three minutes after the hour mark, Lugano’s captain Renato Steffen was inches away from nudging the ball in from point blank range only for Raz Shlomo to push him away and keep Maccabi in the game. On 66 Revivo managed to produce a dangerous cross under pressure which was directed at Abu Farchi who rose high but headed wide. Revivo rattled the Lugano with a powerful right foot shot in the 85th minute as Maccabi continued to press forward in a bid to level the score.
