MATCH REPORT | Strasbourg 0-0 Brøndby: Alsatians held to Conference League playoffs stalemate

UEFA Conference League Qualifying, Playoffs, 21/08/25

Strasbourg have to contend with a goalless home draw against Brøndby for the Conference League playoffs’ first leg. The Alsatians have missed several clear goal-scoring chances, but the Danish side held firm.

The Match

For their first European game since a 3-0 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2019-2020 Europa League playoffs, Strasbourg returned to their revamped Stade de la Meinau, whose Sud End has been reopened after undertaking extension work.

Brøndby were in the mood to spoil the party. The Superligaen outfit missed the first chance of the game as Nicolai Vallys picked Ismaël Doukouré’s pocket to race through on goal. Fortunately, he lost control of the ball before facing Mike Penders. The Chelsea loanee would not complete the first half after sustaining an injury in a collision with Vallys. Karl-Johan Johnsson took his place.

After a tepid opening 15 minutes, Strasbourg began to establish a foothold in Brøndby’s half. Emanuel Emegha and Derby de l’Est-winner Joaquin Panichelli both missed chances to open the scoring. Liam Rosenior’s Alsatians made the better impression of the two teams, but defensive mistakes – as shown by Valentin Barco’s near own-goal – could prove costly.

In the second half, Strasbourg tightened their grip on proceedings, but their end product and decision-making in the final third were poor, as evidenced by Panichelli’s massive miss at the far post with 20 minutes to spare. Rosenior turned to Dilane Bakwa and Kendry Paez to force through a win, but the Alsatians could not find a way past Patrick Pentz. The Austrian goalkeeper made an injury-time wonder save to deny Emegha at close range.

Strasbourg need a win in Denmark next week, in 90 minutes or more, to qualify for the Conference League’s group stage.

Man of the Match: Sam Amo-Ameyaw

The Southampton FC Academy product is only 19, but he was the brightest and most energetic attacking player on the pitch tonight. The England youth international is always on the front foot and has made the difference on more than one occasion on his right side with his dazzling dribbling ability.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval