Differdange Exit Europe After Play-Off Defeat to Drita

On Thursday 28 August 2025, Luxembourg champions FC Differdange 03 played the second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off tie against Kosovo champions FC Drita at the Stade Municipal de la Ville de Differdange.

After losing the first leg 1-2 away, Pedro Silva’s side went into the home match needing at least a one-goal victory to force extra time. Differdange made two changes compared to the trip to Kosovo, with Luis Jakobi replacing Ludovic Rauch in the starting line-up and Andreas Buch partnering Samir Hadji in attack instead of Artur Abreu.

Buch’s inclusion quickly became a turning point. Just three minutes into the match, the 32-year-old forward committed a dangerous sliding tackle from behind on Raddy Ovouka in Drita’s half. Italian referee Andrea Colombo deemed the challenge serious foul play and showed Buch a straight red card.

Despite being reduced to ten men, Differdange reorganised and played from a defensive set-up. In the seventh minute, Samir Hadji forced a save from visiting goalkeeper Faton Maloku with a shot from around eighteen metres

The opening stages were largely contested in midfield and around the edge of the penalty area. Drita had the clearest opportunity in the 25th minute, when two attackers broke through on goal, only for Felipe to deny them by rushing out to intercept. Moments later, the Differdange goalkeeper tipped Blerton Sheji’s long-range effort over the bar.

The hosts responded with attacks of their own, aiming crosses from the left wing towards Hadji, although these were easily collected by Maloku. In the 37th minute, Dylan Lempereur’s low cross from the left was cleared for a corner, which, along with a second delivery, failed to produce a shot on target. A similar sequence followed in the 41st minute, again resulting only in a corner.

Drita created another chance late in the half, but the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

The second half was marked by a flurry of emotions and physical challenges, with five yellow cards shown to players and two red cards issued to assistant coaches, both of whom were dismissed from the technical area by italian referee.

In the 51st minute, Differdange captain Geoffrey Franzoni created danger when he outpaced his opponent on the right wing and advanced along the byline into the penalty area, but his cross failed to find a teammate. 

Four minutes later came the second decisive moment of the game. Veton Tuscha went past Juan Bedouret on the edge of the Differdange box and went to ground after contact. The referee initially allowed play to continue but, after a VAR review, awarded a penalty. As in the first leg, captain Besnik Krasniqi converted confidently from the spot to give Drita the lead 1-0.

Differdange sought a response and, in the 63rd minute, Rafa Pinto forced a save from Maloku with a shot from distance. Pedro Silva’s side continued to press from corners, with Théo Brusco twice threatening the visitors’ goal, but Maloku remained unbeaten.

In the 79th minute, Arb Manaj’s shot was deflected off a defender and went behind for a corner.

Both teams created further chances in stoppage time, but neither was able to alter the scoreline, which remained 0-1 at the final whistle. On aggregate, the tie ended 3-1 in favour of Kosovo champions FC Drita, who progress to the group stage of the UEFA Conference League.

Differdange president Fabrizio Bei expressed his disappointment after the match, particularly with the refereeing decisions. “I think we could have beaten them, but the refereeing was decisive. The penalty given was outside the box and it changed the match. We played a great game and did not deserve to lose like this. I am frustrated and very disappointed - not for myself, but for the club, the players and the staff who worked so hard.” He added: “It felt like we could not compete on equal terms. My legs were cut from under me. But now we have to move on and focus on the BGL Ligue.

Head coach Pedro Silva told Chronicle.lu: “We can do more, but the red card changed everything. Even with ten players, we played a good game and were close to being on equal terms. It was still open until the sending off. What the players did was perfect, but of course we cannot control everything.”

Lineups:

FC Differdange 03: Felipe (GK), Geoffrey Franzoni (C), Kevin D'Anzico, Théo Brusco, Juan Bedouret, Rafael Pereira Pinto, Leandro Borges, Luis Jakobi, Dylan Lempereur, Samir Hadji, Andreas Buch.

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