Maltese champions Marsaxlokk’s debut in the UEFA Champions League was far from a memorable one.

Two goals within the first ten minutes paved the way for FK Sarajevo’s emphatic win in the first leg and enabled them to build a comfortable four-goal cushion by halftime.

The match was watched by only a few scores of spectators, mostly Marsaxlokk supporters.

A distinguished spectator in the VIP area was Zija Yildiz, the former Rabat and Floriana player and coach, sitting alongside the Bosnian FA officials and meeting some old acquaintances of Maltese football.

Marsaxlokk gave their all, but were not good enough to disturb superior opponents. Already weakened by the departures of Bogdanovic, Schembri, Dimech, Doda and Nwoko, Marsaxlokk were also bereft of their still injured skipper Carlo Mamo and the suspended Cleaven Frendo.

Their shrunk squad included only two outfield players on the bench.

The champions from Bosnia Herzegovina were streets ahead in terms of ideas.

They showed superior class both physically and technically. Their constant running and slick passing had Marsaxklokk on the back foot from the moment they conceded the first goal after only five minutes play.

Marsaxlokk, fielding a 4-5-1 foramtion started aggressively in a bid to surprise their opponents but found themselves back-pedalling after five minutes.

Ihtijarevic started the move from midfield, Grujic was allowed to cross towards the middle and with the Marsaxlokk defence in disarray, Admir Rascic steered the ball in goal.

Hardly four minutes had elapsed when Sarajevo doubled their lead.

Obuca passed the ball towards Bucan from the byeline and Rascic headed the perfect cross over the helpless Gauci off the underside of the bar.

Marsaxlokk were shell shocked and slumped to concede a third goal on 20 minutes.

Bucan beat the offside trap, advanced unhindered but was foiled by keeper Gauci's timely block, only for Emir Obuca to beat Wellman's challenge and slot the loose ball into an unattended goal.

Towards the half hour, Webb beat the keeper on the byeline but Bajada hit his cross wide and the chance went to waste.

Four minutes from half-time Sarajevo piled more goals.

Marko Maksimovic ran through the Marsaxlokk defence on Ihtijarevic's pass and again beat Gauci with an arrow-like drive from the edge of the area.

Marsaxlokk tried to push more forward in the second half, although they lacked inventive and cohesion.

Wellmann advanced on the left flank but the Maltese side left gaps at the back which the Bosnians exploited with their darting runs.

Obica could have added more goals when put clear by Rascic’s headed pass, but his low drive missed the target.

Past the hour, Sammut’s grounder forced keeper Alaim to pull the most difficult save, plunging himslef to palm out the ball and Webb's resultant effort was blocked into a corner.

Then Webb’s volley on Sammut's cross went over.

On 65 minutes Sarajevo made it 5-0.

Rascic played the ball forward to Emir Obuca to slot the ball past Gauci.

Sarajevo wasted further chances through Obuca and substitute Mesic.

Marsaxlokk's misery was complete three minutes from time when Bucan’s shot was repelled by keeper Gauci, the ball hit Licari and was deflected into an own goal.