Shelbourne's hopes of an Indian summer on the continent are hanging by a thread after they were beaten 3-0 by FC Zürich in the first leg of their second round tie in the UEFA Conference League at the Stadion Letzigrund in Switzerland.
Damien Duff and his players will return home with everything to do at Tolka Park after they fell behind in just the 27th second through a powerful shot from Ifeanyi Onyedika.
Two goals from Marchesano made sure of the win for a Swiss side that brought on Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Armstrong Oko-Flex midway through the second half.
For the home side, this was the perfect way to mark their return to the European arena after last playing on the continent during the 2022-23 season.
They faced the likes of Arsenal and PSV back then in the Europa League and pressure of matching their achievements clearly carried no weight as Zürich scored inside a minute when Juan José Perea latched onto the ball inside the area and squared to an onrushing Onyedika, who fired in with no resistance.
Shelbourne had no time to reset, instead they were forced to sit back as Zürich passed the ball around and pushed for a second goal.
An abundance of chances followed, starting with a shot from Bledian Krasniqi and Conor Kearns dealt with this.
The Reds only form of penetration during this spell was from two free-kicks, sent in by Kearns and Sam Bone, and Zürich shrugged off these incursions before doubling their advantage in the 29th minute.
Onyedika set this up by swooping in and playing a through ball to Marchesano, and the midfielder finished neatly passed Kearns.
The first opening of the second half fell to Marchesano, and the former Switzerland Under-21 international flashed this wide after a Krasniqi free-kick caused chaos inside in the area.
Zürich kept probing and Shelbourne buckled down in an attempt to cut off passing lanes for the Swiss side.
So Kryeziu tried crossing to the back-post, instead of going through the lines, and an inch perfect pass was stabbed in by Marchesano in the 58th minute.
Zürich used this as an opportunity to empty their bench and Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Oko-Flex was one of those who came on during this wave.
Shelbourne’s best chance fell to Sean Boyd, and this was easily stopped by Yanick Brecher on the goal-line.
FC Zürich: Yanick Brecher; Nikola Katić, Mariano Gomez, Mirlind Kryeziu, Silvan Wallner, Ifeanyi Onyedika, Cheick Conde, Antonio Marchesano (Armstrong Okoflex 71), Bledian Krasniqi (Mounir Chouiar 59), Juan José Perea (Fernand Coure 71), Emmanuel Umeh (Calixte Paul Lige 82).
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Tyreke Wilson (Sean Boyd HT), Sam Bone, Shane Griffin, Kameron Ledwidge, Paddy Barrett, Jonathan Lunney, Mark Coyle (Evan Caffrey 60), Will Jarvis (Rayhaan Tulloch 76), Harry Wood (Ali Coote 64), John O’Sullivan (Matthew Smith 76).
Referee: Visar Kastrati (Kosovo)
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