Hapless Hibs suffer European shock in Andorra

Hibernian suffered a calamitous and embarrassing defeat at the hands of Andorran side Inter Club d’Escaldes in the first leg of their Europa Conference League second round qualifier.

Elie Youan was a lone bright spark during the first half but his side failed to find an equaliser in a bitterly disappointing return to continental competition.

The Scottish Premiership club’s misery was compounded when David Marshall spilled a shot and Jean Luc tapped in from close range.

However, a late Joe Newell free kick does give Hibs some hope of salvaging the tie in the return leg at Easter Road – live on BBC Scotland next Thursday – with Djurgardens of Sweden or Switzerland’s Luzern awaiting in next round.

Youan and Josh Campbell had a couple of early strikes go close before the hosts took the lead after a swift breakaway.

Ander El Haddadi was afforded too much room down the right-hand side and slid the ball towards to the back post. It was converted by their captain Gallego on the second attempt after it rebounded off of Marshall.

A Youan cross was then blocked on the edge of the box but shouts for a Hibs penalty were promptly dismissed by the Finnish referee.

A late first-half counterattack put Elias Melkersen and Youan through against a sole defender but the former opted to shoot instead of pass and a tame effort deflected into the arms of the goalkeeper.

Otger Canals’ side were robust in the middle of the park, with Hibs’ passes routinely mishit or misplaced and any crosses or set-pieces comfortably dealt with by the home defence.

El Haddadi inadvertently set up his side’s second goal when his shot from a tight angle was inexplicably palmed into the path of the onrushing Jean Luc by Marshall.

Newell’s free-kick, in the first minute of injury time, managed to squirm through the wall to give Hibs some hope after a hugely disappointing performance, with the return leg to come next Thursday.

Player of the match – Ander El Haddadi

Hibs lack cohesion in embarrassing display – analysis

A lack of purpose throughout Hibs’ play was apparent across the whole 90 minutes as they failed to form cohesive attacks or passages of play.

It may have been their first competitive outing of the season, but their level of awareness as a squad was borderline inexcusable as passes rarely found their intended targets.

Hibs manager Johnson emphasised how narrow the pitch was pre-match and the Andorran side often squeezed Hibs into the middle of the park, nullifying how effective they could be going forward.

Adam Le Fondre started up top, with Christian Doidge given second-half minutes, but neither were able to act as an effective focal point due to the lack of efficiency in their build-up play as a whole.

Youan and Newell were the two bright sparks for Hibs but the squad’s performance will need to be upped significantly if they are to progress through this round.

More to follow.