Europa League: Lille beaten by Red Star, Bologna assume first-leg lead

Lille’s Europa League hopes are in the balance after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of their play-off tie.

Franklin Tebo Uchenna scored the only goal of Thursday’s game at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, bundling the ball home in first-half stoppage time after good work from Tomas Handel and Jay Enem.

In truth, Bruno Genesio’s hosts were fortunate not to lose by a greater margin as Vladimir Lucic and Marko Arnautovic wasted big chances in the second half, with the latter missing the target when he only had Berke Ozer to beat.

Lille only managed one shot on target all game and lost the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.59 to 0.48, and they now have it all to do in the return leg next Thursday.

Bologna will have a lead to defend when they return to Italy for the second leg of their tie with Brann, after Santiago Castro’s early goal handed them a 1-0 victory in Norway.

Castro’s angled drive caught out Mathias Dyngeland, though Riccardo Orsolini and Thijs Dallinga passed up opportunities to give the Rossoblu more daylight.

There were also away wins for Celta Vigo, who beat PAOK 2-1, and Genk, who triumphed 3-1 at Dinamo Zagreb in an early kick-off.

Ludogorets defeated Ferencvaros 2-1 on home soil, while Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen played out a 2-2 draw in Athens, in the only first leg to finish level.

Halfway stage in the knockout phase play-offs #UEL pic.twitter.com/bsFfvJOybY

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 19, 2026

Data Debrief: Red Star break new ground

Red Star would have been confident when the play-off draw was made, having already beaten Lille 1-0 on home soil in the league stage.

This was their first-ever victory on French soil in major European competitions, though, having previously drawn twice and lost on seven occasions, conceding at least two goals on each of their first nine visits.