Olimpia Ljubljana (Slvn) 2 - Espanyol 1

Espanyol: Mora; Navas, Rotchen, Pochettino, Roger; Iván Díaz (Cristóbal 60'), Sergio, Galca, Arteaga; Martín Posse; Serrano (Manel 75'). 4-4-1-1.

Goals:
1-0. 15. Jukic. Unmarked in penalty area, headed free kick past Mora.
1-1. 44. Galca (penalty). After Sergio was brought down in the box.
2-1. 45. Rakovic. Nutmegged Rotchen and ran on to score with outside of foot.

Espanyol went to Slovenia expecting to come away with a result against a side which on paper were weaker than them. However Bojan Prasnikar's side proved better than expected, and with their keeper Ejkovic on great form, they were defeated by the odd goal. Prasnikar had upset the Spanish side by his declarations earlier in the week that he was happy with the draw as he thought his opponents were a poor team, but at least in defence he was right. Paco Flores decided to rest Cristóbal, still nursing an injury, and Nando, and brought Navas and Rotchen in to the defence, with Serrano replacing the injured Oscar up front. The makeshift defence was at fault for both of Olimpia's goals, with defensive cover sadly lacking for the first and poor tackling allowing Rakovic through for the second. Despite countless attempts at goal, Espanyol could only score from the penalty spot, but Galca's away goal could be vital in the second leg in Montjuic. Defender Pochettino was the only one who went close in the first half, and in the second Ejkovic won a personal duel with Posse, saving time and time again from the Argentinian forward. With nine minutes to go substitute Manel got the ball in the net, but referee M. Moulin of France ruled out the goal for a supposed foul on the keeper. In any case, with a bit of luck Espanyol should still go through, but Flores has some sorting out to do.