Conference League: Prandelli offers hope, but Drita pull away late on

Two-thirds of the match played absolutely on level terms with Drita – if not better than Drita – are not enough for Tre Fiori to leave the first leg of the Conference League Q3 with a positive, or at least tolerable, result. In truth, the final scoreline is extremely harsh – excessively so – and makes next week’s return match (to be played in Kosovo) something of an Everest to climb. The approach of the yellow and blue side – without the suspended Rea and Bernardi – is positive. However, the first real threat comes from Drita, with Jashari whipping in a cross for Limaj’s run, forcing Nardi into a superb reflex save; Besnik Krasniqi pounces on the loose ball and once again the Tre Fiori goalkeeper’s response is worthy of applause. Tre Fiori are not intimidated. They hit back immediately with Mengucci bursting into open field after a pass from Mancini, only to be closed down at the last by Jashari; and then with another low drive from the edge of the box by Mengucci, which drifts just wide. The stifling heat prevents a frantic tempo. So it takes until the 24th minute for another real chance, namely Dabiqai’s header from an Ovouka cross, the ball not far from the post. Shortly after, an unlucky ricochet off Sirri’s foot presents a big chance for Manaj, who opts to square it for Jashari: the lively Kosovan winger opens up his body but fails to put any sting into the shot, making Nardi’s save straightforward. Just before stoppage time Benedettini feels a physical problem and has to leave the pitch. Girolomoni does not want to burn a substitution slot and therefore chooses to risk playing out the final moments of the first half with ten men. Paradoxically, it is his side who create the best chance of the half: from a free-kick Sami finds Sirri, who produces a perfect knockdown for Censoni, completely unmarked at the far post but off-balance at the crucial moment. The incident has the effect of jolting Drita, who soon go close to taking the lead with two increasingly dangerous headers. The first is by Dabiqai from a Jashari cross, the ball going wide. The second is by Blerim Krasniqi from an Ovouka delivery: the number 19 meets it powerfully just outside the six-yard box and sends it over by a whisker.

After the interval Van Nek replaces Benedettini. Drita restart at full throttle, immediately threatening from a corner (the defence fail to clear and Dabiqai shoots from close range, finding a deflection) and especially with Limaj’s effort from outside the area, teed up by Blerim Krasniqi: the ball whistles just over the bar. The Kosovans keep their foot on the accelerator, again causing problems for the Tre Fiori backline through midfield runs from deep: from the right flank Besnik Krasniqi lays it on a plate for Dabiqai, who steals a march on everyone but sends it wide. For the home side the fuel warning light is already flashing, but paradoxically it is precisely at this stage that the opener arrives, scored by Prandelli, who times his run on the offside line (through ball by Sami) before beating Maloku with a left-footed shot across goal. A brief VAR check follows and then the goal is confirmed: Tre Fiori in front. And shortly afterwards Tre Fiori are very close to 2-0 as well: a velvet touch from Prandelli sends Mancini clean through, but he is denied by Maloku and then, on the rebound, fires high and wide. The chance squandered by the hosts’ opponents wakes Drita up, much as had happened at the end of the first half. This time the Kosovan reaction results in an immediate equaliser. The standout figure in the move is Ovouka, who first leaves his marker for dead down the flank and serves a gilt-edged chance to Limaj; then, after Nardi’s short save, he picks up the loose ball and lashes an unstoppable left-footer into the net. Now Tre Fiori’s mental resources – on top of their already depleted physical ones – collapse. In the space of two minutes Drita complete the comeback through Blerim Krasniqi, afforded far too much freedom to head home Abazaj’s deep cross. With clearer minds and an energy deficit that has become enormous, Drita no longer vacate the opposition half. Nardi keeps out Dabiqai’s volleyed effort – he too left unmarked in the heart of the area. Then the keeper is finally beaten by Besnik Krasniqi’s ruthless left-foot finish, after he breaks into open space following a timid attempt by Girolomoni’s side to push up towards Maloku’s box. On 90 minutes Limaj threads a pass through for Balaj’s run; he goes one-on-one with Nardi but is denied three times by the home keeper. The Kosovan number 10 makes amends with the solo move that leads to the penalty for 4-1 (handball by Sirri): from the spot Besnik Krasniqi goes straight down the middle to complete his brace and effectively seal the win and, virtually, qualification.

UEFA Conference League 2026-27, Third Qualifying Round (first leg) | Tre Fiori – Drita 1-4

TRE FIORI (3-4-1-2)

Nardi; Syku (68’ Giocondi), Sirri, Sancisi; D’Addario, Censoni, Sami, Mengucci; Benedettini (46’ Van Nek); Mancini (80’ Ferri), Prandelli

Substitutes: Francioni, Berardi, Pesaresi, Dolcini

Head coach: Danilo Girolomoni

DRITA (4-3-3)

Maloku; Be. Krasniqi, Bytyqi, Pellumbi, Ovouka; Dabiqai (88’ Broja), Limaj, Bl. Krasniqi; Abazaj (77’ Sheji), Manaj (77’ Baeten), Jahari (59’ Balaj)

Substitutes: Behluli, Isufi, Grezda, Mjaki, Salihu, Nguena, Arthur

Head coach: Visar Sermaxhaj

Referee: Mikkel Redder (DEN)

Assistant referees: Deniz Yurdakul (DEN), Renè Risum (DEN)

Fourth official: Lasse Læbel Graagaard (DEN)

VAR: Sandi Putros (DEN)

AVAR: Mads Kristoffersen (DEN)

Scorers: 55’ Prandelli, 60’ Ovouka, 62’ Bl. Krasniqi, 82’ and 90+3’ (p) Be. Krasniqi

Attendance: 258