Eight teams have now won both of their opening matches, while several established clubs are still searching for their first victory. With only six games in the Conference League’s league phase, the pressure is already mounting on those who have made disappointing starts.
Lugano dismantle Getafe after early setback
The biggest Swiss success story of the evening came from FC Lugano. Mattia Croci-Torti’s side stormed to a 5-2 victory away to Spanish top-flight outfit Getafe, extending their remarkable unbeaten run to 20 competitive matches.
The encounter could hardly have started worse for the visitors. Iván Azón put Getafe ahead after just 71 seconds, but Lugano responded immediately. Albian Ajeti equalised virtually straight from the restart (3′), before Yanis Cimignani completed the turnaround just four minutes later.
Lugano’s rapid transitions repeatedly caused serious problems for the Spanish side. Ajeti made it 3-1 following a turnover in the 26th minute, before Uran Bislimi added a fourth shortly after half-time (50′).
Borja Mayoral pulled one back for Getafe in the 74th minute, but Kevin Behrens completed the scoring in stoppage time.
The Swiss side were particularly ruthless after winning possession. With eight goals from their opening two European fixtures, Lugano boast one of the competition’s most potent attacks and sit second in the standings.
Freiburg undone by Monaco’s individual quality
SC Freiburg suffered a painful setback after opening their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Jablonec. Julian Schuster’s team were beaten 3-0 away to AS Monaco.
The hosts dominated the first half, with German Under-21 international Paris Brunner particularly dangerous. The 20-year-old was rewarded with a superb goal just before the interval (45+2′).
Freiburg had already lost Yannik Engelhardt to injury early in the match. The visitors improved considerably after the break and Lukas Kübler went close to an equaliser, but they ultimately lacked the attacking penetration required to break down Monaco’s compact defence.
The French side exploited the increasing spaces late on. Lamine Camara doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute, before Ansu Fati made it 3-0 in stoppage time.
Schuster subsequently criticised his team’s lack of energy in the first half, although he felt the final score was harsh given Freiburg’s improvement after the interval.
The Bundesliga club remain on three points and face another difficult assignment next time out, with a trip to Trabzonspor awaiting them.
Thun still without a goal or a point
It was another disappointing evening for Switzerland’s other representative. Champions FC Thun suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Hajduk Split and remain without a point or a goal after two matches.
The Croatian visitors dominated the early stages and took the lead through Dalisson de Almeida after a poorly weighted back-pass. Thun only began to find their rhythm after falling behind. Furkan Dursun and Brighton Labeau failed to make the most of a promising opportunity to equalise, while Noah Christoffersson later missed from point-blank range with the goal virtually empty.
Thun goalkeeper Niklas Steffen kept his side in contention by saving a penalty from Michele Šego, but the equaliser never arrived.
Following their 1-0 defeat at Twente Enschede, this was Thun’s second narrow loss. Only four other teams are still without a point: Kauno Žalgiris, KuPS Kuopio, Inter Escaldes and Lincoln Red Imps — hardly the heavyweights of European football.
The Swiss champions’ upcoming home match against Hearts has therefore already taken on considerable importance. Another defeat is almost unthinkable if Thun are to keep their hopes of European football after the winter break alive.
Ajax win heavyweight clash as Hajduk remain perfect
Ajax Amsterdam claimed a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in a meeting between two of Europe’s established names. After losing their opening match at Hajduk Split, the Dutch side needed a response and eventually found one thanks to two substitutes.
Tolu Arokodare broke the deadlock in the 87th minute after a long pass from Youri Baas. The Nigerian then turned provider in stoppage time, setting up Abdellah Ouazane for the second goal.
Ajax had created the better opportunities for much of the contest and deservedly secured their first victory. Atalanta remain on three points following their opening win against Pafos.
Hajduk Split, meanwhile, are still among the teams with perfect records. The Croatian giants followed their surprise 2-1 victory over Ajax with a 1-0 success in Thun. Six points from two matches have put the traditional Croatian powerhouse in an excellent position.
Eight teams maintain perfect records
Alongside Lugano and Hajduk, six other clubs have won both of their opening fixtures.
Panathinaikos moved to the top of the standings with a commanding 5-1 away victory over Kairat Almaty, with Cyriel Dessers scoring twice. Monaco also belong to the leading group after overcoming Freiburg. Trabzonspor defeated Heart of Midlothian 2-0, with Mohamed Salah contributing a goal and an assist. Twente Enschede likewise remain unbeaten after a 4-1 victory away to Lincoln Red Imps.
Brann Bergen secured a 4-1 win at Kauno Žalgiris, with Noah Holm scoring the first hat-trick of this season’s league phase. The eighth team with a perfect record are Sint-Truiden. The Belgian side followed their opening win over Iberia Tbilisi with a 1-0 away victory against FC Midtjylland.
The overall picture remains wide open, however. Brighton, widely regarded as one of the stronger contenders after their opening 4-0 victory, had to settle for a disappointing goalless draw away to Czech side Jablonec.
Several favourites already under pressure
A number of established European clubs have made particularly underwhelming starts to the competition.
Getafe have collected just one point from their 1-1 draw with Universitatea Craiova and their 5-2 defeat to Lugano. Conceding seven goals in two matches underlines their defensive problems.
Pafos also have only one point after losing 3-1 at Atalanta and drawing a disappointing 1-1 against Riga. Midtjylland were held 1-1 by Egnatia in their opener before suffering a home defeat to Sint-Truiden.
Red Star Belgrade, meanwhile, followed their 3-2 defeat in Lugano with a 2-2 draw against FC Copenhagen. The Serbian giants are also still waiting for their first victory.
Next round promises several intriguing encounters
The third matchday on 5 November features a number of particularly interesting fixtures. Freiburg travel to Trabzonspor to face a side sitting on six points, while Ajax visit a Midtjylland team that has struggled so far.
Getafe face another stern examination at home to Brighton. Lugano welcome Kauno Žalgiris and have every chance of extending their winning streak, while Thun desperately need their first points against Hearts.
There is also a direct meeting between two teams with perfect records: Sint-Truiden host Brann Bergen, meaning at least one of them will drop points for the first time.
With four league-phase matches still to play, the top eight teams will eventually qualify directly for the round of 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th will contest the knockout phase play-offs. The battle for those coveted places is already shaping up to be fiercely competitive.
