Differdange Fall 1-2 to Drita in First Leg of Conference League Play-Off Tie

On Thursday 21 August 2025, FC Differdange 03 played the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off tie against Kosovo champions FC Drita at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina.

The Luxembourg champions visited Kosovo for the second time during their 2025/26 European campaign. The two sides had already met in mid-July in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, with Pedro Silva’s team losing both matches: 0-1 away and 2-3 at home. Drita advanced, while Differdange dropped into the UEFA Europa League qualifiers. The teams now met again, this time competing for a place in the group stage of the third-tier European competition.

Pedro Silva’s men found themselves trailing in the first half, when Albert Dabiqaj converted a pass from Veton Tuscha from close range, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Differdange managed to level the score in the second half, thanks to the introduction of Andreas Buch. The German striker, who had scored a brace in the previous round against Estonia’s Levadia, found the net again. In the 64th minute, Boris Mfoumou delivered a precise cross which Buch headed past the goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

Drita continued to apply pressure, and this paid off in the 78th minute. Following a cross from the left, Albert Dabiqaj went down in the box after a challenge involving Dylan Lempereur. Swedish referee Mohammed Al-Hakim pointed to the spot. Besnik Krasniqi, the Drita captain, successfully converted the penalty, sending the ball in one direction and the goalkeeper Felipe in the other.

The narrow defeat 1-2 could have been manageable ahead of the return leg, but an incident in the final minute of regular time complicated matters for Differdange. As Drita goalkeeper Faton Maloku cleared the ball, Boris Mfoumou, eyes on the ball, attempted to control it with his foot, while Besnik Krasniqi, approaching from the opposite side, lowered his head to challenge. Contact occurred between the Differdange player’s foot and the Drita captain. After a VAR review, referee Al-Hakim issued a straight red card to Mfoumou.

As a result, Boris Mfoumou will miss the second leg, which will take place on Thursday 28 August 2025 at Differdange’s home ground, the Stade Municipal de la Ville de Differdange.

Lineups

FC Drita: Faton Maloku (GK), Raddy Ovouka, Blerton Sheji, Egzon Bejtulai, Besnik Krasniqi (C), Vesel Limaj, Albert Dabikaj, Alamir Ajzeraj, Veton Tuscha, Liridon Balaj, Arb Manaj.

FC Differdange 03: Felipe (GK), Geoffrey Franzoni (C), Kevin D'Anzico, Théo Brusco, Juan Bedouret, Rafael Pereira Pinto,  Leandro Borges, Ludovic Rauch, Dylan Lempereur, Samir Hadji, Artur Abreu.