Conference League: Drita fly into the play-offs, Tre Fiori bow out

The curtain comes down on the summer of European competition for San Marino’s clubs: Tre Fiori both opened and closed it, from their Champions League debut to this Conference League double-header. At the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Drita built on their emphatic win in Serravalle (4-1), also prevailing at home in the second leg played on 13 August.

Even so, Tre Fiori started well, first with a shot from the edge of the area by Bernardi – back from suspension like Rea, who was also in the starting XI – and then with Prandelli, who forced Maloku into a two-stage save. It was Drita, however, who broke the deadlock, going ahead through Nguena’s header from a corner. The midfielder struck again on 41 minutes, ghosting in behind Sirri – caught out of position by a flick-on from his defensive partner Rea. In between, Ovoke hit the crossbar, while on the stroke of half-time Manaj converted from the spot to make it 3-0 at the break.

Drita extended their lead a few minutes into the second half thanks to Arthur’s tap-in – on after the interval – following a miraculous save by Nardi on Limaj’s deflected free-kick. The champions of San Marino reacted, chasing a second consecutive goal in the competition, but Maloku denied both Bernardi and D’addario. At the other end, Manaj bagged his brace to seal the 5-0 scoreline, shortly before Nguena’s curling right-footed effort came back off Nardi’s woodwork.

UEFA Europa Conference League, Q3 second leg | Drita-Tre Fiori 5-0

DRITA (4-2-3-1)

Maloku; Mjaki, Bytyqi, Pellumbi, Ovouka; Nguena (73’ Be. Krasniqi), Limaj; Balaj (46’ Arthur), Baeten (61’ Broja), Abazaj (61’ Jashari); Manaj (81’ Bl. Krasniqi)

Substitutes: Behluli, Isufi, Sheji, Grezda, Salihu

Coach: Ardijan Nuhiji

TRE FIORI (3-4-1-2)

Nardi; Sancisi, Rea, Sirri; D’addario (73’ Terenzi), Benedettini, Giocondi, Mengucci; Bernardi; Ferri (62’ Mancini), Prandelli (79’ van Nek)

Substitutes: Francioni, Dolcini

Coach: Danilo Girolomoni

Referee: Donald Robertson (SCO)

Assistant referees: Ross Macleod (SCO), Calum Spence (SCO)

Fourth official: Colin Steven (SCO)

VAR: Steven McLean (SCO)

AVAR: Ryan Lee (SCO)

Scorers: 20’ and 41’ Nguena; 43’ (p) and 60’ Manaj, 47’ Arthur

Booked: Bytyqi, Rea, Pellumbi

Attendance: 1,822