The tie remains alive for Caley Thistle, but they have a huge task on their hands to progress after FC Astra left the Highlands with a precious away goal.
Inverness put up a courageous display in their European debut last night, and were perhaps deserving of more from the match, with midfielder Aaron Doran coming close on three occasions.
However, there were also further opportunities for Astra to add to their lead, with the Romanian outfit showing the know-how expected of an established European side.
From one historic encounter to another. Caley Thistle’s last competitive action was May’s Scottish Cup final against Falkirk, a victory that sealed the club’s first major silverware, as well as progress into the second qualifying round of the Europa League. That match was only a few weeks ago, but there was much change in this Inverness line-up, with only six players remaining in the line-up from that match.
Welsh under-21 international goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams was signed in the build-up to the game, and was immediately selected ahead of veteran Ryan Esson. There were also competitive debuts for Nat Wedderburn and forward Dani Lopez.
There was a return to the squad for club captain Richie Foran, who hadn’t played for nearly 16 months, taking his place on the bench, with defender Gary Warren wearing the armband.
Both of Inverness’ natural full backs were missing through injury, with Carl Tremarco out of the squad and David Raven fit enough only for a place on the bench. Danny Williams moved to an unfamiliar left back position, while centre half Josh Meekings moved to right back.
Manager John Hughes went with the same 4-2-3-1 formation that served Caley Jags so well throughout last season, with Greg Tansey moving into a more advanced midfield position in support of lone attacker Lopez.
Astra are a side with plenty European experience, with this their third consecutive season in the competition, having reached the group stages last season. However, the Europa League debutants did not appear overawed, with Caley Jags showing confidence in possession from the offset, Ryan Christie forcing Astra goalkeeper Silviu Lung into his first save of the match inside eight minutes.
Inverness were roared on by an excellent crowd keen to savour European football in the Highlands for the first time. However, the home following was silenced on 24 minutes. Hughes warned his players before the match of the dead ball threat of Astra forward Constantin Budescu, but it was one of his free-kicks that gave the Romanians the lead, although debut keeper Williams could have prevented the goal by getting a stronger hand on the 25-yard effort.
In search of a response, Caley Thistle pressed high and Aaron Doran forced a neat save from Lung with a low shot from the edge of the box. However, the shooting of goalscorer Budescu remained a threat regardless of the distance, and four minutes before the break he called Williams into action with a powerful strike from similar range to his opener, with the goalkeeper diving low to beat away the effort.
Inverness began the second-half brightly, however careless play at the back nearly resulted in a second Astra goal, as Danny Devine’s awkward back-pass was met by a loose touch by goalkeeper Williams, who had to react quickly to clear the ball under pressure from Budescu.
As long as it remained 1-0, the hosts were always still in the match, and they upped their threat on the hour mark. A drilled shot by Williams went just over the bar, but just seconds later Inverness came even closer, with Ryan Christie slipping Doran through on goal, only for his bobbling shot to be met by an alert reaction save by Lung.
Astra were inches away from a second on 69 minutes, when Budescu slipped the ball through for William de Amorim, who ran clean through on goal but saw his sidefooted shot from 10 yards come off the outside of the post.
Despite Astra holding the potentially all-important away goal, Inverness refused to panic and remained calm and measured in possession. Another fine move engineered a third attempt of the night for Doran on 77 minutes, when he scooped just wide after being teed up by Lopez.
Doran turned provider for Lopez on 81 minutes, however the Spaniard’s low shot from the edge of the box was well held by Lung.
Foran was brought on for the final six minutes of the match in place of Lopez, to a standing ovation from the home crowd, however there was no way through for Caley Jags.