Europa League Play-Offs: Lille Beaten By Red Star Belgrade As Bologna Lead Brann

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Lille face an uphill Europa League task after a 1-0 home loss to Red Star Belgrade in the play-off first leg, while Bologna, Celta Vigo, Genk and Ludogorets all claimed wins. Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen were the only teams to share the points in Thursday’s programme.

Franklin Tebo Uchenna struck the only goal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in first-half stoppage time, finishing from close range after build-up work by Tomas Handel and Jay Enem. Lille created little, producing only one effort on target and losing the expected goals contest 1.59 to 0.48.

Red Star’s victory deepened Lille’s frustrations, as Vladimir Lucic and Marko Arnautovic wasted chances that could have widened the Europa League margin. Arnautovic shot off target when clean through against Berke Ozer, leaving Bruno Genesio’s side relieved to escape with a single-goal deficit before the return leg on 26 February.

Historically, the result carried extra weight for Red Star in the Europa League context. The Serbian champions had already beaten Lille 1-0 at home in the league phase, but this success was their first on French soil in major European competitions. Previously, Red Star managed two draws and seven defeats in France, conceding at least two goals on each of their first nine visits.

Bologna also earned a 1-0 advantage in their Europa League tie with Brann, winning in Norway. Santiago Castro scored early with a low angled drive that surprised goalkeeper Mathias Dyngeland. Riccardo Orsolini and Thijs Dallinga both missed further openings that might have given the Rossoblu a more comfortable cushion.

There were more Europa League away successes as Celta Vigo beat PAOK 2-1 and Genk defeated Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 in an early kick-off. Ludogorets were the only hosts to win, overcoming Ferencvaros 2-1, while Panathinaikos drew 2-2 with Viktoria Plzen in Athens, the night’s sole first leg to end level.

The Europa League knockout phase play-offs reached their halfway point with those first-leg results logged across Europe.

Lille must overturn a single-goal deficit away from home, while Red Star travel with confidence from two 1-0 wins over the same opponents this season. Elsewhere, narrow first-leg Europa League leads leave Bologna, Celta Vigo, Genk and Ludogorets in strong positions, with Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen finely balanced.