Champions League Qualifier Preview: Breidablik -v- Shamrock Rovers

Graham Burke challenges for the ball in the Champions League qualifier first leg against Breidablik

Graham Burke challenges for the ball in the Champions League qualifier first leg against Breidablik Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

Macdara Ferris reports from Kopavogur in Iceland

BREIDABLIK

The Icelandic champions took a 1-0 win with them away from Tallaght Stadium last week that gives them the advantage in this Champions League qualifier going into Tuesday’s second leg set for an 8.15pm kick-off (Irish time).

While Rovers were idle over the weekend, Breidablik played a league fixture on Friday night winning 1-0 against Fram Reykjavik (who played most of the second half with only ten men). The result left Blikar third in the table eight points off top spot with 15 games played.

Breidablik boss Óskar Thorvaldsson made six changes for that league fixture from the game in Tallaght, and during the match brought on four substitutes who had also started in the first leg against Rovers but he won’t be using having to play that fixture on Friday as an excuse.

“We are used to playing games Tuesday-Friday over the last few weeks,” said Thorvaldsson when speaking to this reporter in the stadium of the eve of the game.

“That is how the schedule is in Iceland where it is a short season with many games so the space to move games is small. We knew that for a long time and we had time to get used to it.”

The winners of the tie are guaranteed another three rounds in Europe with Copenhagen in the next round. For Porvaldsson that would mean a match against the club where his son plays.

“It is really important for the club both financially and for coefficient rankings,” said the 49-year-old manager about progression to the next round.

“For Iceland it would help to improve the image of our league. In Europe we have had some tough years and that is why we’ve been playing in the preliminary round.”



Breidablik came through preliminary tournament last month beating the San Marino and Montenegrin champions in one legged ties here in Iceland and that has given them some momentum coming into the tie against the Hoops.

“We have been playing well in the last few games. It looks like we are getting our rhythm back which is something we lacked at the start of the season with the number of changes we had and with injury problems.

"The performances are now more solid and stable. Those two European games at the end of June have helped up getting continuity.”

The loser of this tie will enter the Europa Conference League second qualifying round where they will face the defeated team from the KI Klaksvik and Ferencvaros tie. Those teams drew 0-0 in the Faroe Islands last week so Ferencvaros will be favourites with the second leg to come at home for them in Budapest on Wednesday evening.

SHAMROCK ROVERS



A lot rides on the 90 minutes (and possibly longer) in Kopavogur for Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday evening against Icelandic champions Breidablik.

They must overcome the one goal deficit from the first leg to avoid dropping in into the second round of Europa Conference League qualifying.

They must also do so without two of their most attacking threats as Neil Farrugia continues to be ruled out for Rovers while Jack Byrne will miss the game due to an injury he picked up in the first leg in Tallaght.

Having first played in European competition back in 1957 (against Manchester United), the Hoops have been involved in 105 matches earning 26 victories but if they are to progress in this competition they must win only their tenth European game away from home.

Two of those victories on the road have come in Iceland. They beat Fram Reykjavik 3-0 in 1982 (7-0 on aggregate) and under Stephen Bradley defeated Stjaran 1-0 six seasons ago (2-0 on aggregate).

Bradley is looking for his team to go up a level from the first leg and at least match their second half performance.

“There were moments where we were too flat and passive in and out of possession but in the main they didn't cause us many problems," said Bradley speaking pitch side on Monday evening ahead of his team training on the astro pitch.

"They had one half chance with a header and the free kick from 30 yards that went in the top corner.

“We created all the opportunities and I thought overall in the second half our performance was a lot stronger than theirs.

We need to produce that for 90 minutes if we want to go and win the game.

"We know that and played in enough big games to understand you can't perform for ten minutes spells in these types of games. You have to put a complete performance together and we didn't do that in the first leg.”

The Breidablik manager picked Rory Gaffney as Rovers' main threat. Bradley said about the Galwegian: "When Rory is in form, he is really a hard player to play against.

"He has all the attributes to play in behind and to play to feet. He is very difficult to mark. He likes the physical contact which is something defenders try and have an edge over centre forwards but Rory likes that side of it." 

If the Hoops are to progress without needing penalties, they must win by at least two clear goals – they have only done that away from home three times in Europe (Spora Luxembourg 4-1 in 1966, Fram Reykjavik 3-0 in 1982 and Teuta 2-0 in Albania in 2021)

Referee: Adam Ladebäck (Sweden)

Ladebäck was the fourth official for Rovers' loss away to Ferencvaros in the Europa League play-off last season.

MATCH STATS

No League of Ireland player has played more games in Europe that Rovers skipper Ronan Finn. He made his 60th appearance in Europe in last week’s game in Tallaght. Sean Gannon is tied in second place with Gary Rogers on 54 European appearances.

Graham Burke has the Rovers record for goals in Europe having reached the seven goal mark last season scoring a penalty against Shkupi in their Europa League qualifier. Only three League of Ireland players have scored more – Jason Byrne (10), Glenn Crowe (11) and David McMillan (14). Rory Gaffney is second in Rovers’ list of European goalscorers with five.

Stephen Kenny and Stephen Bradley are the joint most successful winning League of Ireland managers in Europe – both have won 12 matches. Bradley has managed in Europe on 34 occasions while Kenny has 44 managerial appearances.

Rovers have only been involved in seven scoreless draws in Europe. Two of them were last season when the Hoops drew away to Hibernians of Malta in the first round of the Champions League qualifiers (having won the home leg 3-0) and in the Europa Conference League group game against Djurgardens in Tallaght.

This is Rovers’ 14th tie in the European Cup – they have only won two ties in the blue riband competition in Europe. Looking at just Champions League ties, they have played 13 matches and won four (two of them last season). None of the wins have come away from Tallaght.

In their 51 European away matches, they have scored 40 goals.

Just six European ties involving League of Ireland clubs have gone to penalty kicks. Dundalk (two wins), Drogheda United (lost), Bohemians (lost), Sligo Rovers (won) and Shamrock Rovers (the 12-11 win over Ilves in 2020).

PREDICTION

1-0 away win – Shamrock Rovers to progress on penalties after extra-time

Breidablik

Injured: Patrik Johannesen

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Jack Byrne, Neil Farrugia, Trevor Clarke

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile