Credit: Ievgenii Karamov, Chronicle.lu
On Thursday 10 July 2025, Racing FC Union Luxembourg and F91 Dudelange kicked off their European campaigns with matches in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.
Racing, who finished fourth in the 2024/25 BGL Ligue season, hosted Georgian vice-champions FC Dila Gori at the Stade Achille Hammerel in Luxembourg-Bonnevoie.
The match began with both sides exchanging early attacking moves. In the twelfth minute, Racing FC Union Luxembourg goalkeeper Roman Ruffier was called into action for the first time. A defensive error nearly cost Racing shortly afterwards, but Shota Shekiladze’s shot was blocked by defenders.
Racing’s first attempt on target came in the ninteenth minute, when Antonio Gomes fired from outside the box, but his effort was saved by Davit Kereselidze.
In the 26th minute, Racing midfielder Dominik Stolz had a headed opportunity from the centre of the penalty area, following a cross from the left, but Kereselidze again denied the hosts. A high press from Dila led to a chance in the 29th minute, but Shekiladze failed to connect with a low cross from Ibrahima Drame.
Three minutes later, Drame received the first yellow card of the match for stopping a Racing counterattack. The resulting free kick, taken by captain Farid Ikene, struck the defensive wall.
Dila continued to apply pressure, with Aleksandre Andronikashvili testing Ruffier from 20 metres in the 40th minute, but the effort was saved. Shortly after, a poor goal-kick led to another chance for the visitors, with Deo Bassinga sending a shot just wide from close range.
Racing responded just before the break, when Oko Mazié headed a cross on target from the centre of the box, but his effort went straight to the goalkeeper.
In added time, a challenge on Racing defender Carmel Mabanza by Deo Bassinga resulted in a brief altercation, but no cards were issued.
The second half began with renewed attacking efforts from Racing. A corner from Ikene eventually fell to Gomes, who shot over the bar.
In the 52nd minute, Racing FC Union Luxembourg took the lead. Forward Dominik Stolz reacted quickest inside the Dila penalty area and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0 for Yannick Kakoko’s team.
Just minutes later, Oko Mazié had a chance to double the lead, but his shot was turned behind for a corner by Kereselidze.
Dila equalised in the 60th minute through a well-placed free kick from Andronikashvili, who curled the ball into the top corner from 25 metres.
In the 67th minute, Shekiladze won a free kick near the corner flag and delivered a cross to Andronikashvili, whose header was saved by Ruffier.
Dila then took the lead in the 78th minute through substitute Cyril Edudzi, who had come on just thirteen minutes earlier. He headed home following a corner to make it 2-1.
Dila continued to threaten in the closing stages, but Ruffier and defensive interventions kept the scoreline unchanged. The match ended in a 2-1 win for FC Dila Gori.
Racing FC Union Luxembourg will travel to Georgia for the second leg on Thursday 17 July 2025.
Speaking to Chronicle.lu after the match, Racing FC Union Luxembourg head coach, Yannick Kakoko, reflected on his team’s performance with a sense of determination: “I think we deserve to feel optimistic. We deserve to be proud of the game. What we did today, unfortunately we lost - it's football - but now the only thing that is important is to focus on what we did good. And we'll try to give our best to win the game over there.”
“Was our first game in Conference, so we started a little bit nervous. At the end, 2-1 in the first game away is a good result, but I’m sure that we can do much better. And from tomorrow we have to work in order to develop, especially our character and personality, because we are a team with more potential than this, I’m sure,” said FC Dila Gori Head Coach Diego Longo in an interview with Chronicle.lu.
Starting lineups:
Racing FC Union Luxembourg: Roman Ruffier (GK), Ismael Sow, Carmel Mabanza, Joakim Kada, Thibaut Lesquoy, Domonik Stolz, Bruno Frere, Farid Ikene (c), Antonio Gomes, Conrad Azong, Oko Mazie
FC Dila Gori: Davit Kereselidze (GK), Zurab Rukhadze, João Araújo, Romaric Etou, Tedo Kikabidze, Boubacar Conte, Aleksandre Andronikashvili (c), Otar Parulava, Shota Shekiladze, Deo Bassinga, Ibrahima Drame.qlp
Earlier that evening, F91 Dudelange also began their UEFA Conference League campaign in the first qualifying round with an away match against Andorran vice-champions Atlètic Club d’Escaldes. The Luxembourg league bronze medallists lost 0-2. The secondA-leg match is scheduled to take place at home next week.
