Unless a miracle occurs in the double confrontation against Chelsea, Servette FC will not experience a European destiny this season. The Grenat failed against Sporting Braga.
Having impressed last Thursday in the 0-0 draw from Portugal, Servette FC lost 2-1 at the Stade de Genève in front of 15,179 spectators in the return match of the 3rd preliminary round of the Europa League. This defeat, which is beyond discussion due to the poverty of their offensive expression, forces the Grenat to challenge Chelsea for a place in the group stage of the Conference League. Even if Chelsea is no longer the great Chelsea, the task awaiting the Genevans seems insurmountable.
An absence too heavy
There was still room to pass against the fourth-placed team in the last Portuguese championship. Dereck Kutesa’s goal in the 91st minute reminded us, unfortunately too late, that Braga’s defense was not invulnerable. The intensity at the start of the match should have raised many hopes. But as the minutes went by, the public understood that their team is not really equipped this summer to compete on the European stage. The absence of a valuable No. 9 that Enzo Crivelli and Jérémy Guillemenot are is too heavy.
Like last week in Braga, caution was the first order issued by the two coaches. The first half was thus much too closed to give the public the opportunity to really get excited. There was only one real chance before the break. It was for Braga and, above all, it was converted by Amine El Ouazzani for the opening goal in added time. Unable to draw up an attack worthy of the name in the absence of Miroslav Stevanovic and Dereck Kutesa, on the bench, the Grenat returned to the locker room with the feeling of having to climb a summit in flip-flops.
Crivelli’s chance
Servette FC could have come back into the game in the 52nd minute. However, Crivelli was too short on a cross from David Douline. It was Timothé Cognat who found the gap on the only dangerous action by the Grenat.
The introduction of Dereck Kutesa in the 63rd minute did not really change the situation. The man who seems ready to give in to the Saudi sirens no longer has the drive that allowed him twelve months ago to open the scoring against Rangers on a memorable evening. Six minutes after the introduction of the Swiss international, Sporting Braga signed the 2-0 to put the affair away through Roberto Fernandez at the conclusion of a beautiful move. Kutesa’s goal in added time was only that of honour.
/ATS
