Caltex Socceroos striker Tomi Juric was back in the starting side for FC Luzern in Switzerland but there was nothing he could do against powerhouses FC Basel.
In an encouraging sign for the Caltex Socceroos ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifiers, Juric, formerly of Western Sydney Wanderers, played the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 defeat.
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Former Sydney FC marquee Marc Janko scored a brace for Basel, who also had ex-Melbourne Victory defender Adama Traore in their starting side to add even more of a Hyundai A-League flavour to the clash.
Elsewhere, Trent Sainsbury was on the bench again in Serie A as Inter Milan slumped to a disappointing 3-1 home defeat against Roma, who Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan scored two stunning goals.
Mat Ryan’s Genk fell to a 2-0 loss away at Anderlecht in Belgium, while James Jeggo got through a full game in Austria as his Sturm Graz lost 2-1 at St Polten.
And defender Scott Jamieson enjoyed a big win in the Cup competition in Sweden as his IFK Goteborg side crushed lower-league Arameiska 6-0.