A first half goal courtesy of Brazilian international Tamires, handed Danish side Fortuna Hjorring a first leg win on Italian soil against ACF Brescia. This match was a remake of last season, when the Italians had the better of the Scandinavian side, but this time around, it was the latter who stared this double-legged fixture as the winning side, claiming a 1-0 triumph.
Fortuna make sure in the first half
In the first 45 minutes, Brescia immediately implented their game in an aggressive approach, as they started in a 3-4-3 tactical system, with Barbara Bonansea behind the attacking trio, Daniela Sabatino, Silvia Fuselli and Cristiana Girelli. Yet, despite all this attacking force, Brescia wasted a lot of goal-scoring opportunities, therefore not prevailing from various slip-ups of Fortuna's back-line. The classic theory of who fails to score, concedes, ruled once again in this tie, as on their first clear-cut occasion, Fortuna headed in front. Tamires, the Brazilian international involved in last summer's Rio 2016 games, found the net to give the Danish side the lead in the 42nd minute.
Brescia's efforts all in vain
After the change of ends, Brescia introduced a couple of new faces on the field with the aim of levelling terms as early as possible. However, Fortuna's resilience proved to be impermeable. Girelli was the player who created more harm upfront for Fortuna's defensive sector, but Brescia's lack of cooperation upfront was detrimental for their chances. The match lacked opportunities and as time went by, the Danish champions looked more convinced of their game play and remained tactically disciplined until the final whistle, taking home a massive win ahead of the return leg.
Details of the 2nd leg
Both teams will cross swords against each other in the second leg, in Denmark, on the 16th of November with Brescia having the task of overturning the result, while Fortuna will aim to preserve their slender advantage.