Loanees shine for Fenerbahce

ISTANBUL: Fenerbahce will take a 1-0 lead to Zenit St. Petersburg in the Europa League last 32 after Islam Slimani scored the only goal of the first leg on Tuesday.

Slimanii, who is on loan at the Istanbul club from Premier League side Leicester, struck in the 21st minute after being set up by Victor Moses, who is on loan from Chelsea.

Zenit squandered a chance to equalise before halftime when Robert Mak’s penalty was saved by Harun Tekin.

The other round-of-32 games are scheduled for today.

Fenerbahce’s game was played early for security reasons to avoid it clashing with Istanbul rival Galatasaray hosting Benfica.

EPA PIC Zenit’s Branislav Ivanovic (right) and Fenerbahce’s Islam Slimani vie for the ball in their Europa League last 32 first leg match in Istanbul on Tuesday.