Overview
- Joaquín Panichelli scored in the opening minutes from a Sebastián Nanasi assist to give Strasbourg an early lead in Croatia.
- Moments later, the 23-year-old clipped the crossbar with a powerful effort as Strasbourg pressed for a second.
- Martial Godo added the visitors’ second before Ante Majstorovic pulled one back for Rijeka, setting up a tense return leg in Strasbourg next Thursday.
- Panichelli has five goals in his last six matches across competitions and now totals 18 goals and four assists this season.
- He earned a brief Argentina debut in November against Angola and his current form is keeping him in Lionel Scaloni’s consideration, while teammate Valentín Barco was involved in a post-match dispute with Samir El Mourabet.