HIBERNIANS L. Branescu; A. Zammit (69 Charleston), M. Ellul, Pedrao, S. Alfred, P. Cacho (69 L. Caruana), B. Kristensen, J. Degabriele (69 A. Bruno), P. Alves (74 D. Bonnici), T. Miullen (75 Cleiton), L. Villela. SPARTAK TRNAVA Z. Frelih; P. Nwadike, K. Kostma, F. Twardzik, L. Holik, R. Prochazka, M. Kratochvil (85 G. Moistsrapishvili), M. Mikovic (90 R. Jureskin), P. Azango (61 T. Kudlicka), M. Duris (90 H. Gong), C. Badolo (61 J. Paur).
Hibernians marked their return to European football after a two-season absence with a spirited performance, but ultimately fell short in a 2-1 defeat to Slovakia’s Spartak Trnava in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
The Paolites, coached by Branko Nisevic, who renewed his contract after guiding them to FA Trophy success, were eager to make an impression in their first European appearance since the 2022/2023 season. However, despite levelling late in the second half, a costly error handed Spartak Trnava a narrow yet vital away win.
This defeat continues Hibernians’ poor historical record against Spartak Trnava. The Maltese side previously faced them in European competitions in 1969/1970, 2014/2015, and 2016/2017, losing all three ties.
Spartak Trnava are eyeing a qualification to the group stages after their 2023/2024 appearance in the main competition.
Hibernians entered the game with several fresh faces in the starting line-up. Notably, former Juventus goalkeeper Laurentiu Branescu was handed his debut, along with 2006-born Aiden Zammit, signed from Pieta’ Hotspurs, and summer recruits Pedro Cacho and Pablo Alves.
The Maltese side started brightly, creating the first real chance when Thiago Miullen, teed up by Bjorn Kristensen, fired just wide. Spartak Trnava, however, soon found their rhythm and began to assert control. Branescu was called into action on multiple occasions, first denying Milos Kratochvil’s close-range effort, then watching a dangerous Philip Azango curling shot miss by inches after Hibernians failed to clear their lines.
The Slovak side’s pressure paid off in the 27th minute. Libor Holik timed his run perfectly to beat Pablo Alves to a cross and slotted home from close range, giving Spartak Trnava a deserved lead. They continued to press, with Roman Prochazka forcing Branescu into a superb save with another curling strike, while Kratochvil’s header from a corner was again well-handled by the Hibernians goalkeeper.
Just before the break, Pedro Cacho tried his luck from distance, but his effort drifted wide, leaving Hibernians trailing at halftime.
There were no changes at the interval, and Branescu remained busy, denying Kratochvil again early in the second half. Despite Spartak Trnava’s dominance in chances, Hibernians began to grow into the game, enjoying more possession and pushing higher up the pitch. However, clear-cut opportunities remained elusive, as their combinations failed to seriously trouble Spartak’s goalkeeper.
Hibernians’ perseverance was finally rewarded in the 79th minute. Substitute Charleston, one of the summer signings, made an immediate impact when he rose highest to meet a Lucas Caruana corner to restore parity. The goal ignited hope for the home side, but their joy was short-lived.
Just minutes later, Charleston was again involved, this time at the wrong end. A miscued back pass towards Branescu forced the Romanian goalkeeper into a rash challenge inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Prochazka made no mistake, restoring Spartak Trnava’s lead from the penalty spot.
The Slovak visitors nearly extended their advantage in the closing moments. Timotej Kudlicka squandered a golden chance, sending a point-blank effort over the bar, before rattling the woodwork just before the final whistle.
For Hibernians, the second leg in Slovakia represents a tough challenge, but their late surge in the second half offers a glimmer of hope.
