Floriana suffer another heavy defeat

FLORIANA 0 IF ELSBORG 4

Floriana suffered another heavy defeat at the hands of IF Elfsborg to crash out of the Europa League with a heavy 12-0 aggregate.

The Greens, looking to save face following last week's 8-0 hammering and made two changes as Ryan Darmanin and Sacha Borg were recalled in lieu of suspended Tyrone Farrugia and Joseph Borg sidelined with injury.

IF Elfsborg made wholesale changes for the tie with Amadou Jawo and Marcus Rohden the only survivors from the first leg and prime tormentor Niklas Hult sitting on the bench.

Floriana's desire to make an impression almost cost them in the fifth minute when IF Elfsborg broke swiftly but Sebastian Holman was denied by Jurgen Borg after the ball took a huge deflection off Francesco Guzman's chest.

The Green's response was immediate as in the seventh minute. Darmanin made headway on the left before unleashing a pile driver with Andreas Andersson saving with difficulty. The rebound fell into the unmarked Christian Caruana but the latter miscued his effort with the unguarded goal at mercy.

Although Floriana settled well, IF Elfsborg had the ability to go up a gear when required, and showed it after 20 minutes, when Jawo sent in an inviting low cross and Daniel Mobaeck tapped home from close-range.

But IF Elfsborg began to dominate possession and the Swedish players were  making most of the run-out, especially Jawo who looked a cut above the others.

The second half began as the first ended. Jawo produced a similar pass this time to Oscar Hiljemark, lofting a perfect ball over Floriana's high defensive line stranded as Sebastian Holmen took in on before beating Borg with a rising shot.

Any thoughts that IF Elfsborg would ease off against Ivan Woods's side were soon dispelled in the 67th minute when Mobaeck lofted a pass towards Per Frick who accelerated into the box and slotted home.

Substitute Viktor Claesson made it 4-0, 10 minutes when he was put through on the left before slotting home right-footed.