Europa League Preview: AEK Larnaca -v- Cork City

CORK CITY

Following a 1-0 defeat at home in the opening leg, Cork will look to overturn the deficit as they take on AEK Larnaca in Cyprus this evening (kick-off 6pm Irish time).

The defeat to Larnaca was Cork City’s first this season and manager John Caulfield will look to bounce back from that defeat after returning to winning ways in the SSE Airtricity League with a 2-0 win away to Bray Wanderers on Sunday.

Speaking before the game to Cork City’s official website, Caulfield said: “We know it will be difficult. We are one down, but we have had a chat about it and we have a game plan.

“We need to score obviously, and we feel we can do that. We know they will keep the ball and try to tire us out, but we have to conserve our energy and, at the same time, try to prevent them from scoring and keep ourselves in the game.”

“Last week, a lot of the lads felt they didn’t play as well as they could have but we have a plan in place. We want to keep the tie alive and, the longer the game goes on, we feel we can create opportunities with the pace we have.

“We certainly believe we that can score over here and make it interesting. There is a tremendous desire and determination amongst the squad that we will give a good performance.”

“The boys are in great spirits and really looking forward to the game. Since we have arrived, we can see that the heat and humidity is incredible, so we are working a lot on their hydration and being prepared properly.”

This game will be the last time Sean Maguire and Kevin O’Connor will wear the Cork jersey before swapping Leeside for Preston North End at the end of the month.

O'Connor is carrying a knock, along with Stephen Dooley, and will be assessed closer to kick-off. Alan Bennett is also a doubt while John Dunleavy misses out.

AEK LARNACA

A 6-1 aggregate win in their first tie against Lincoln Red Imps followed by the 1-0 away win over Cork leaves the Cyprian side in great form heading in to the second leg this evening.

Larnaca look the fresher side having no domestic football to play until August when their league gets back underway, while Cork have a jam packed domestic schedule to play.

Before the game Spanish Coach Imanol Idiakez spoke to local media: "It will be a big risk if we think that the qualification after the first game ended. We saw how the enemy fights in each phase. We saw that belief in the first game.

“We must be focused on the target. We need to improve our game enough. Be careful in defense. The Cork has quality, with the star of the team to play his last game. We must play to win. I have an idea and a plan for how we will play tomorrow but we still have a workout and see. 

“It is an option to give time to Nacho. We have big squad to choose the appropriate lineup. We need more than ever the world. We had difficulty in Ireland.

“I want people to respect the opponent and be calm. We are lucky because my players understand that the system you choose. I have smart players to play as if you ask them, "

Referee: Pavle Radovanovic (MNE)

MATCH STATS

The home tie was the first these two sides have met eachother, with AEK Larnaca up 1-0 thanks to Truyols goal in Turners Cross.

Corks only defeat came in the opening leg while Larnaca have not lost a game since a 2-1 defeat too AEL Limassol in the Cyprus First Division

The winners of this game will move on to play either Rabotnicki (Macedonia) or Dinamo Minsk (Belarus) with the tie at 1-1 following the first leg

Cork: last five games WLWWW

AEK Larnaca: last five games WDWWD

BETTING

AEK Larnaca 4/7 ; Draw 13/5 ; Cork City 4/1 .

PREDICTION

AEK Larnaca 1-1 Cork City

AEK Larnaca

Injured: Ruben Mino.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: Johnny Dunleavy.

Doubtful: Alan Bennett, Kevin O’Connor, Stephen Dooley.

Suspended: None.