Maccabi Tel Aviv Falls 2-1 to Lugano in Conference League Playoff First Leg

Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 2-1 to Swiss club Lugano in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League playoff on Thursday evening. The match took place in Switzerland, with around 800 Maccabi fans traveling to support the Israeli cup holders. Despite a temporary equalizer by Maccabi's Ido Shahar, Lugano dominated the game and secured the win.

Coach Kenny Miller fielded the same starting lineup that recently beat CSKA Sofia 3-1, resting key players in a Toto Cup semifinal win against Maccabi Netanya to prepare for this crucial fixture. Roy Revivo, amid uncertainty about his future at the club, started the match. Lugano began strongly, creating multiple scoring chances early on, and took the lead in the 30th minute after a defensive error by Maccabi's goalkeeper Daniel Malika.

Maccabi improved after halftime, with Revivo assisting Shahar's equalizer shortly after the break. However, a costly foul by Tyrese Asante led to a penalty converted by Gregic, restoring Lugano's lead. Lugano continued to threaten, nearly scoring again late in the match. Maccabi will now need to overturn the deficit in the second leg next week in Sofia to advance to the Conference League group stage, having played in the Europa League the past two seasons.

The Israeli side showed a weak performance overall, with Lugano controlling much of the game. Coach Miller faces the challenge of motivating his squad for the decisive home leg to keep their European campaign alive.