Valletta were bundles out of the UEFA Champions league with a 4-2 aggregate after losing 1-0 to Ekranas yesterday in the second leg match of their second round qualifying tie.

The Lithuanians scored after just four minutes making it even more difficult for the Citizens who had to score three goals to make it to the third round.

City coach Jesmond Zerafa had to reshuffle his side due to the forced absence of the suspended Roderick Briffa and Jonathan Caruana, while Brazilian midfielder Denni Rocha dos Santos started the match on the bench. Their absence was sorely felt, especially in the first half when the citizens appeared to be struggling.

It was Ignas Dedura who headed the ball past Andrew Hogg from a Radavicius freekick from the left. That goal made the aggregate 4-2 and with the Lithuanians sitting pretty, Valletta were forced to attack but rarely appeared dangerous in front of goal as Ekranas defended well.

Valletta were shocked to have suffered such an early lead once again and had to wait till the 36th minute to have the first pot at the Ekranas goal. But Ryan Fenech’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Emilijus Zubas.

After the break Valletta started playing better, but still found it difficult to penetrate, despite having three strikers, Barbosa, Mifsud and Effiong up front.

Zubas again saved off Gilbert Agius soon after the start and the same player missed the target following a cornerkick action a few minutes later.

Denni dos Santos then came in for Kevin Sammut and the Brazilian quickly left his mark though missing the target from a freekick on 64 minutes

Substitute Andrius Velička went close to doubling the score for Ekranas on the 85th minute but his goal-bound shot was blocked by the City defence. A minute later, Michael Mifsud hit just wide following a cross from Ryan Fenech.

And just before the end, Dyson Falzon had a fine rising shot turned to corner by Zubas.

Thus City’s dream of becoming the first ever Maltese team of making it to the third qualifying round of the Champions league came to a disappointing end. And it appears that despite their efforts, there is still a lot to be done before the targets are achieved.

EKRANAS Emilijus Zubas, Ramūnas Radavičius, Aurimas Kučys, Andrius Jokšas, Ignas Dedura, Mauro Alonso (70 Andrius Velička), Marko Andjelković, Uchenna Umeh (89 Jevgenij Moroz), Aurimas Vertelis (83 Arnas Ribokas), Giedrius Tomkevičius, Dušan Matović.

Substitutes Tadas Kauneckas, Marius Skinderis, Nerijus Sasnauskas, Tadas Markevičius

Coach: Valdas Urbonas

VALLETTA Andrew Hogg, Ian Azzopardi, Steve Borg, Ryan Fenech, Gilbert Agius, Edmond Agius, William Barbosa, Dyson Falzon, Alfred Effiong (67 Ian Zammit), Kevin Sammut (54 Denni), Michael Mifsud.

Substitutes Yenez Cini, Ousseni Zongo, Kenneth Scicluna, Jamie Pace, Cleavon Frendo

Coach Leonard Farrugia

Assistant Coach Jesmond Zerafa

Referee Augustus Constantin (ROM)

Assistant referees Ionel Popa, George Adrian Vidan (ROM)

Fourth official Adrian Comanescu (ROM)

Yellow Cards Sammut, Andjelković, Borg, Jokšas, Matovic, Denni

Goals 4 Ignas Dedura