FC Twente suffered a setback in their bid to reach the Conference League main stage, losing 1-0 to Qarabağ FK in the first leg of their playoff tie in Enschede.

Kady Borges gave the Azerbaijani side the lead early in the second half with the only goal of the match. Twente will have to overturn the deficit in next Thursday’s return leg in Azerbaijan.

Van den Brom stuck with the XI that started Sunday’s 3-1 victory over PEC Zwolle, with Weghorst leading the attack and Ørjasæter, Weidmann, Rots and Pjaca supporting him. Qarabağ also dropped into the Conference League after being eliminated in the Europa League qualifying rounds.

Twente made the stronger start, with Weghorst narrowly failing to connect with an early opportunity and Ørjasæter seeing his shot blocked. Qarabağ were able to break through the home side’s pressing at times, however, and threatened towards the break. Mouaddib sent an effort just over before forcing Unnerstall into a save that pushed his next shot narrowly wide.

Qarabağ came out strongly after the break, with Borges seeing a powerful effort crash against the post. The Brazilian did not have to wait long for another chance, though, as he finished off a move set up by Mouaddib and Qurbanly to put the visitors ahead.

Twente struggled to create a response after falling behind. Van Rooij came closest to equalizing when he was played in by substitute Lammers, but Zlomislić denied him and then saved Ørjasæter’s follow-up. Adelgaard failed to trouble the Qarabağ goalkeeper with a weak effort, while Zerrouki missed the target in stoppage time.