Claesson gives Krasnodar narrow 1st-leg advantage over Fenerbahce

Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters

FC Krasnodar is one step away from booking its place in the Europa League Round of 16.

On Thursday, in the first leg of the tie between Krasnodar and Fenerbahce, the Bulls recorded their first win in five continental matches, producing a 1-0 victory at Krasnodar Stadium. The lone goal came in the fourth minute, when Viktor Claesson, who was signed by the Russian club in January, scored with his first touch on his competitive debut for Igor Shalimov’s side.

Aside from Claesson’s goal and a front-post flick from Fedor Smolov that hit the post, there were few chances. Jeremain Lens, Emmanuel Emenike, and Moussa Sow were unable to break down Krasnodar’s defence, and the Turkish club will face an uphill battle in the second leg at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

1 – Emenike’s performance against Krasnodar tonight:
0/0 – Shots
18/23 (78%) – Passes
4/9 – Duels
13 – Possession Lost.
Absent. pic.twitter.com/JHNbsSaCfk

— OptaCan (@OptaCan) February 16, 2017