Inter d'Escaldes Rally Twice to Draw 2-2 with Drita in Conference League Playoff

Inter d'Escaldes twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Drita in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round playoff, setting up a decisive return match at the Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp.

The match took place at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Kosovo. Drita struck first in the fifth minute when Hajdin Salihu headed in a William Baeten free kick, finding space in the box to beat Javi Díaz.

Inter responded swiftly. After Moussa Sidibé's shot was blocked for a corner, Domi Berlanga equalised in the 13th minute. He received a precise pass from Pochettino at the edge of the area, feinted past his marker and fired low into the near post.

David López nearly put Inter ahead in the 18th minute with a curling free kick from distance that struck the crossbar. Drita regained the lead just before halftime in the 43rd minute, as Igball Jashari crossed low from the left flank for Blerim Krasniqi to tap in.

Inter levelled again in the 56th minute. Pochettino's cross was punched clear by Faton Maloku, and López volleyed the loose ball first-time from 20 yards while the keeper was grounded.

The visitors survived a scare around the 70th minute. Díaz rushed out to challenge Rey Manaj on a through ball but committed a foul on the edge of the area, earning a yellow card. Referee Rob Hennessy awarded a free kick rather than a penalty, a decision that stood after no VAR review.

Borja Arellano, who replaced Sidibé earlier, went close with a late shot that drifted wide of the post. Drita thought they had snatched victory in stoppage time when Manaj scored, but the linesman flagged for offside, preserving the draw.

Yellow cards were frequent amid the intensity: for Drita, Qendrim Bytyqi (17th), Jashari (29th); for Inter, Sidibé (19th), Hernández (23rd), Torres (39th), Otegui (73rd), Díaz (77th) and Sánchez (85th).

Coach Felip Ortiz's side showed resilience despite defensive lapses, keeping their hopes of a historic main draw appearance alive. The second leg is next Thursday at 7pm in Encamp.

Drita (2): Maloku; Ovouka, Pellumbi, Bytyqi (Balaj 73'), Salihu; Limaj, Baeten (Manaj 64'), Jashari, Nguena (Broja 46'), B. Krasniqi; Bl. Krasniqi (Rroca 87'). Coach: Ardijan Nuhiji.

Inter d'Escaldes (2): Javi Díaz; Pochettino, Hernández, Sánchez, Torres; David López, Otegui (Alonso 84'), Pablo Molina (Diaby 80'); Berlanga (Cámara 80'), Chouaib, Sidibé (Arellano 56'). Coach: Felip Ortiz.

Goals: 1-0 Salihu (5'), 1-1 Berlanga (13'), 2-1 Krasniqi (43'), 2-2 López (56').