"We are ready for any challenge", said head coach Pascal Jansen ahead of the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round, which saw our team take on Midtjylland from Denmark. Our Dutch coach gave his vote of confidence to the starting line-up of Dibusz - Makreckis, Cissé, Raul Gustavo, Ramírez - Maiga, Zachariassen, Rommens - Traoré, Pesic, Kehinde at the MCH Arena.

First half

Our team, wearing the black and green kit started the match. We created the first real chance of the match: after a cross Raul Gustavo headed dangerously wide, but the attempt missed the goal. In the ninth minute, Kehinde crossed from the left, but the Danish defenders were able to free themselves at the last moment from the onrushing Pesic. Then, Makreckis played Traore on the right wing, who passed to the centre, and Pesics tried to get the ball into the net, but was unsuccessful. In the 17th minute, Raul Gustavo lost a ball in the corner of the box, which the Danes broke through on goal and Buksa put the ball into the net (1-0). In the 20th minute, Traoré crossed in from the right and shot dangerously with the ball, but Ólafsson saved. In the 22nd minute, Rommens was left wide open on the right wing and Pesics headed his cross over the goal. In the 26th minute, Dibusz saved a shot from distance. Our goalkeeper also made a great save from a dangerous header shortly afterwards. In the 29th minute we came very close to equalising, but Zachariassan's header was saved by Ólafsson. Three minutes before the end of the half, Traoré tried a shot but his attempt missed the target.  The home side attempted a free kick but failed to find the net. In the 45th minute, Traoré broke down the right wing, but his cross was not accurate. Then, the home side were awarded a penalty in extra time after the ball hit Ramírez's hand. Simsir took the chance but Dibusz made a great save! The half ended with the 1-0 home lead.

Second half

The home side started the second half with a chance, they tried to shoot from distance, but couldn't find Dibusz' goal. Our head coach tried to freshen up the team with a triple substitution, with Knoester, Ben Romdhane and Abu Fani coming on at the start of the second half. From the substitutions, Knoester immediately threatened the opposition goal with a superb header, but unfortunately the effort went over. In the 59th minute Franculino hit the post and the rebound was cleared by our defence. Ten minutes later, Franculino made no mistake and after a set-piece, Knoester slid in to meet the striker, who shot into the net (2-0). In the 75th minute, the Danes had a free kick from 17 metres out, but our line blocked the shot. Pascal Jansen then made another substitution, sending on Civic for Kehinde. Sörensen's shot was well saved by Dibusz. In the 85th minute, Ben Romdhane fired a dangerous shot into the middle, but it was saved by the Danish defenders. The score remained unchanged and the home side won the first leg 2-0.

The return leg will take place next Wednesday at 20.00 at the Groupama Arena.