Skënderbeu Korçë are flying the Albanian flag in Europe this season after becoming the first side from the country to make a group stage of a European competition. The started their campaign back in July against Belfast's Crusaders. Victory in that tie gave them the spring they needed to overcome Moldovan champions Milsami Orhei in the 3rd qualifying round before Croatian powerhouse Dinamo Zagreb ended their champions league run. However they dropped into the Europa league group stage where they have been struggling till tonight with Lokomotiv Moskva, Beşiktaş and Sporting.
Heading into tonight's game they had been beaten in all three of their group games and needed a victory tonight to maintain their slim hopes of creating even more history.
The game tonight saw them take full advantage of an early red card for their Portuguese guests. Sabien Lilaj had given Skënderbeu a 15th minute lead before Sporting keeper Rui Patrício was sent-off. Lilaj stepped up to convert the resultant penalty to put the hosts into dreamland. The Albanians added a 3rd ten minutes after the break to confirm beyond doubt the result.
The result puts Skënderbeu back into contention with two games remaining. Next up for them is a trip to Istanbul to face Beşiktaş before rounding off the group with a home clash with Lokomotiv Moskva. Nothing but two victories will do if they are to extend their European adventure till the new year but with this victory they certainly have given themselves a fighting chance.
In the meantime domestically they have a battle on their hands to retain their crown. Champions for the last five seasons, they are facing competition from 15-times champions Partizani Tirana who are currently three points ahead of Skënderbeu. They have played once already this season which ended in a 2-1 success for the Tirana side. The next head-to-head is December after Skënderbeu have concluded their group games.
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