UEFA Youth League Preview: Cork City - V - AS Roma

CORK CITY

Cork City U19s are back in UEFA Youth league action on Wednesday night, when they host one of the biggest names in world football, AS Roma at Turners Cross.

The two-legged clash with the Italian champions is a reward for beating HJK of Finland in the previous round of the domestic champions path in of the competition.

City's run is a note marked for the excellent work being done at underage level in the League of Ireland, as it’s the first time the country’s youth leagues have been represented at elite European level.

An excellent crowd of 1,287 at the Cross saw Aaron Drinan give City a well deserved victory over HJK and this young City side have generated huge excitement.

A number of the U19s have also featured in John Caulfield’s first team squad in recent weeks with Chiedozie Ogbene and Conor McCarthy both scoring against Wexford Youths and midfielder Cian Coleman making appearances off the bench.

Speaking to Extratime.ie and the assembled media in the Cork International Hotel ahead of the game, manager Stephen Bermingham described how to date this European run has showed how good underage football in Ireland is at.

“The preparation for the game is going well. It took the players a few days to recover from the last game and you could see it towards the end.

“They showed an incredible effort to get over the line against Helsinki so we let the players recover, but now we’re fully in preparation mode ahead of tomorrow’s game.

“I think the UEFA Youth League has proven how good our players here at Cork and across Ireland are. People stood up and took notice of the result against Helsinki and it’s great that the club and the league is being recognised now.

“We’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes with a great staff and this is a great reward for everyone. It is going to be great to have Roma play at Turners Cross, but it’s important we play to our very best in the evening.”

Tickets for Wednesday’s game (KO 7pm) will be available at the gate and are priced Adults (€5) and U16s (€1).

AS ROMA

AS Roma make their way to Cork on Wednesday with a formidable reputation, as those on Leeside will be able to see some of the most talented young footballers from Italy on display.

It tells you everything about the high standard of Roma's underage system when you look at their past graduates who are playing in Seire A, none more famous than one of greatest ever for Roma and Italy, in Francesco Totti.

Roma were convincing winners over APOEL of Cyprus in their first round tie, beating their opponents 6-1 in Rome for a 9-1 score line on aggregate. There is no denying that the Irish side will be up against it in playing a household name in world football, but Bermingham and his troops have been working hard to give themselves every chance.

The Italian Champions, managed by Daniele De Rossi's father Alberto , have started the season brightly , only just a point behind the leaders Atalanta after six games played.

Roma trained in Turners Cross on Tuesday evening ahead of the game .

De Rossi, speaking to AS Roma's official website, anticipates a tough test from Cork.

“We’ve analysed Cork and had a look at the strengths and weaknesses on show in their match against Helsinki," De Rossi said.

"They’re a really physical, high-tempo side, but they’re also good at building the play from the back.”

On his own side, he added: “I want to see us improve. We have a strong foundation in terms of our technique, tactics and mental fortitude.

"We’ve shown that we’re able to react when things don’t go our way. We’ll need to be on our game because it’s not going to be an easy match.”

Referee:   Jørgen Burchardt  (DEN)

MATCH STATS

Cork City had a crowd of 1,287 for the home leg against HKJ and another large crowd, even bigger, is expected to see Roma.

Roma prepared for the Cork game, by beating Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico 4-0 last Friday, to claim some silverware in the form of the Italian Supercoppa.

Roma won the Scudetto back in June, by beating Juventus in a penalty shootout. They've begun their title defence well, winning five out of their six games to date.

BETTING

Cork City 14/1; Draw 15/2; AS Roma  1/14.

PREDICTION

Cork City 0-2 AS Roma.

Cork City

Injured:  Garan Manley.

Doubtful: Patrick Crowley.

Suspended: None.

AS Roma

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful:  Unknown.

Suspended:  Unknown.