Champions League Preview: Sparta Prague -v- Shamrock Rovers

SPARTA PRAGUE

While Shamrock Rovers had a free weekend between the first and second legs of this Champions League second round qualifier, Sparta played on Saturday night winning 4-1 away from home against Teplice. 

That was the second win from their first two league games of a season that has only just got under way.

They carry a two goal lead into the second leg of this Champions League second qualifying round tie after their trip to Tallaght last week.

Defender Mathia Ross speaking to sparta.cz after the game in Tallaght said: “It's definitely not over. We were in control of the first game.

"We were on the ball a lot, we could have scored more goals. However, we were also able to cash in at the end.

"This was just the first half. The second one awaits us in Prague." 

The winners of this tie will play either FCSB or Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv – that tie is finely poised after a 1-1 draw in Bucharest in the first leg.

SHAMROCK ROVERS 

The Hoops have only a very slim chance of progressing through to the next round of the Champions League qualifiers – which would at a minimum guarantee them group stage football in the Conference League.

However should they lose they still remain in Europe dropping into the Europa League third round qualifiers with a further parachute option into the play-off round of the Conference League still in their back pocket.

So in Tuesday’s game, Rovers will be looking to build on what was a good performance in the first leg against Sparta – even if it looked like there were a couple of more gears available to the Czechia champions. They want to carry some positive momentum into the next round.

They go into the game knowing they will be without Johnny Kenny who has been ruled out due to a knock picked up in the first leg, although Jack Byrne is available as he returns from suspension.

“We know it’s tough and we know what we’re against,” said Stephen Bradley speaking to shamrockrovers.ie. “The players have had a feel for Sparta (after the first leg) and that’s always good to have a feel for them up close and know what you’re going into.”

The Hoops were well in the first leg in Tallaght until the concession of a goal seven minutes from half time – a similar type goal they have conceded in Europe when pressed high up by high calibre opponents with errors at the back being ruthlessly exploited.

“We were disappointed to concede just before half time as we were doing really well. But when you give up those type of opportunities against that level of opposition, you usually get punished and we got punished.”

“For Sparta’s second goal, there’s not much we do wrong to be fair. It was real quality from Sparta. They needed everything to go right from the build-up phase to the actual finish, everything had to be spot on as our press was pretty good. They showed their quality and sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say it’s a really good goal from their position.

“We know goals change games, change momentum, we saw that in Tallaght in the first leg. It’s all about staying focussed and when we get those opportunities, taking them. If you take one of them, anything can happen.

“When you’re playing against that level of opposition, you must make sure that you’re in control at all times, whether that’s in or out of possession. I thought we did that well and possibly had the better chances on the night. Obviously, you have to take them, but we created some good opportunities and large parts of the performance were really good.”

They had opportunities in the match – Neil Farrugia in the first half and chances for Josh Honohan late on when the Hoops were 2-0 down – but Sparta dominated the play overall with 64% of the ball with a dozen shots on target from their 18 attempted (Rovers had two on target from seven).

“When you play against that type of team, you understand at times you won’t have the ball and that’s ok. It’s about being comfortable in those situations, and I thought we did that really well on the night. 

“You have to respect what we’re playing against, understand what Sparta are really good at. We also have to look at how we can create and score goals and I think we showed in the first leg, we know we can do that. It’s just about taking the opportunities when we get them.”

Referee: Simone Sozza (Italy)

Dutch team to take charge in Tallaght of Champions League qualifier while Italian whistler confirmed for second leg https://t.co/Bc3dtNuhJMpic.twitter.com/mjHqpWrA2O

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) July 20, 2024

PREDICTION
3-1 home win

STATS

The loser of this tie will face the loser of the tie between Slovenian champions NK Celje and Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava. The first leg finished 1-1 in Celje.

Last week’s game in Tallaght was Stephen Bradley’s 40th in Europe – he has won 13, drawn 8 and lost 19.

Graham Burke is Rovers’ all-time record goalscorer in Europe with eight goals.

Shamrock Rovers 

Injured: Rory Gaffney, Johnny Kenny

Doubtful: Aaron McEneff, Graham Burke

Suspended: None.