Blackburn two down at the break

Genclerbirligi 2, Blackburn 0

Blackburn were facing an uphill task in the UEFA Cup after conceding two goals in a minute before half-time against Genclerbirligi in Turkey.

Josip Skoko and Souleymane Youla scored for the Turks to give Blackburn a mountain to climb.

Vratislav Gresko came close to putting Blackburn ahead in the 21st minute when his 25-yard drive whistled past the post.

Then Baggio, on a season-long loan from Lazio, rattled in a close-range shot which tested goalkeeper Gokhan Tokgoz.

Blackburn found themselves under pressure twice in the space of four minutes.

El Saka whipped in a cross only for Deniz Baris to head wide at the near post in the 30th minute.

Then Serkan Balci saw a header come back off the bar after a good delivery from Josip Skoko.

Blackburn paid for their sloppy play by conceding two goals in a minute.

Skoko opened the scoring by lobbing Friedel from 30 yards after the goalkeeper had headed out a long ball launched by Ozkan.

Then Souleymane Youla added a second with a shot into the corner after being released by Baris.