There were plenty of individual stories beyond the results. André Onana was beaten directly from a corner in Finland before making amends with a penalty save, German youngster Paris Brunner played a part in both Monaco goals, and Lugano’s Anto Grgić converted his 25th consecutive penalty. Across the 18 matches, a total of 53 goals were scored.
Hajduk mark European return with stunning Ajax victory
Hajduk Split’s supporters had waited 16 years to see their club return to the group or league phase of a European competition. Their comeback could hardly have provided a more fitting occasion: a meeting with Ajax, four-time winners of the European Cup. In front of 31,273 spectators at the Poljud Stadium, the Croatian side claimed a memorable 2-1 victory.
The visitors made the brighter start, but Hajduk’s defence prevented them from taking an early lead. The hosts gradually grew into the contest and took advantage of an Ajax turnover in the 37th minute. Marin Šotiček found Abdoulie Sanyang, who finished to spark celebrations around the stadium.
Ajax responded through Davy Klaassen shortly after the interval (53′), but their recovery was short-lived. Michele Šego intercepted a misplaced pass from Jofre Torrents and set up Šotiček, who restored Hajduk’s lead in the 56th minute.
Substitute Oscar Gloukh later came close to equalising, only to see his effort strike the crossbar. Hajduk held on to give their supporters a European night to remember. For Ajax, it was a deeply disappointing start to the competition, with another demanding assignment against Atalanta awaiting them next Thursday.
Inspired substitutions spark Lugano comeback against Red Star
FC Lugano also had plenty to celebrate in their first league-phase fixture at the new Lugano Arena. The Swiss side overturned a second-half deficit to beat Red Star Belgrade 3-2 in a dramatic encounter.
Albian Ajeti put the hosts ahead in the 25th minute, but Timi Max Elšnik equalised just seven minutes later. When Rade Krunić made it 2-1 to the Serbian visitors in the 67th minute, Red Star appeared to be heading towards an away victory.
Lugano coach Mattia Croci-Torti, however, made substitutions that transformed the contest. Dereck Moncada came off the bench and capitalised on a defensive error to equalise in the 84th minute. Fellow substitute Beckham Castro then won a penalty, which Anto Grgić converted in the 89th minute to complete the turnaround.
Remarkably, it was Grgić’s 25th successful penalty in succession.
Freiburg overcome Jablonec in five-goal contest
Freiburg opened their Conference League league-phase campaign with a 3-2 home victory over Czech side FK Jablonec. Having made an unbeaten start to their Bundesliga season and climbed to the top of the table after five matches, the German side carried their positive domestic momentum onto the European stage.
Vincenzo Grifo broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with an excellent free-kick from around 18 metres. Jablonec drew level when Matthias Ginter inadvertently diverted Antonín Růsek’s first-time effort into his own net, sending the teams into half-time at 1-1.
An own goal also contributed to Freiburg’s second strike. Dušan Pavlović deflected the ball into his own net with his thigh following a corner, before Maximilian Eggestein extended Freiburg’s advantage to 3-1 with a long-range effort. Garang Kuol pulled one back for the visitors in stoppage time.
The narrow scoreline did not entirely reflect the balance of play. Freiburg registered 23 shots to Jablonec’s 11 and led the expected goals count 1.87 to 1.18. The hosts also struck the woodwork twice, underlining their attacking superiority.
The occasion also marked a personal milestone for coach Julian Schuster, who celebrated his 52nd victory in his 100th competitive match in charge of Freiburg.
Brighton enjoy 78% possession; Atalanta strike inside a minute
Brighton & Hove Albion recorded the biggest victory of the opening round, sweeping aside Lithuanian opponents Kauno Žalgiris 4-0. The side managed by German coach Fabian Hürzeler were dominant throughout.
Georginio Rutter scored twice, with Ibrahim Osman providing the assist for both goals. Jack Hinshelwood and Matt O’Riley also found the net.
The statistics highlight the extraordinary gulf between the teams. Brighton enjoyed 78 per cent possession, attempted 35 shots and generated an expected goals figure of 4.02. Their Lithuanian opponents managed just four attempts and a mere 0.04 xG. The result sent Brighton to the top of the standings after the first round.
Atalanta also made an impressive start, defeating Cypriot side Pafos FC 3-1. The Italians needed less than a minute to take the lead, with Eljif Elmas scoring from a Giacomo Raspadori assist.
Raspadori doubled the advantage from the penalty spot before Gianluca Scamacca made it 3-0 before half-time. Atalanta missed further opportunities after the break, and Biel eventually scored a late consolation for the visitors.
Salah delivers for Trabzonspor, Brunner inspires Monaco
Two former Premier League stars took centre stage in Trabzonspor’s 4-2 away victory against KuPS Kuopio. Mohamed Salah supplied the assist for Paul Onuachu’s early opener before scoring himself shortly before half-time. It was the Egyptian’s 65th goal in UEFA club competition, while Franculino Djú also contributed a brace.
Trabzonspor goalkeeper André Onana experienced a rather more eventful evening. The Cameroonian was caught out by a corner from Petteri Pennanen that curled directly into the net. Just five minutes later, however, he made amends by saving a penalty from Piotr Parzyszek. His earlier mistake ultimately did not prevent Trabzonspor from securing all three points.
German forward Paris Brunner also enjoyed an outstanding European outing. The youngster scored Monaco’s opening goal in their 2-1 away win over CSKA Sofia before setting up Ansu Fati for the second.
Copenhagen put three past Braga; Getafe held in Romania
FC Copenhagen recorded a surprisingly comfortable 3-0 home victory over Sporting Braga. Mohamed Elyounoussi opened the scoring shortly after half-time, before substitute Andreas Cornelius settled the contest with two goals in the closing stages.
The match also attracted 24,636 spectators, setting a new club attendance record for a Conference League home fixture in the group or league phase.
Spanish side Getafe, meanwhile, had to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Universitatea Craiova. FC Midtjylland also dropped points, drawing 1-1 with Albanian side Egnatia.
Elsewhere, Gent defeated Aarhus 1-0, Mjällby beat Inter Escaldes 2-0, Panathinaikos overcame Borac Banja Luka 2-1, Twente edged Thun 1-0, Sint-Truidense defeated Iberia Tbilisi 2-0 and Brann claimed a 2-1 victory over Lincoln Red Imps. Riga’s encounter with Kairat Almaty and Hearts’ meeting with Nordsjælland both ended in 1-1 draws.
