Pico Lopes: 'It’s a real carrot for you - can you go and compete at the highest level possible?'

Pico Lopes reckons the new UEFA Conference League format is a net positive for smaller teams despite the lesser familiarity with the sides involved.

Shamrock Rovers kick off their Conference League campaign tonight in Tallaght with the visit of Cypriot side APOEL - the first of six games in the league phase.

That contrasts with the Hoops’ Conference League outing in 2022 when they faced Molde of Norway, Sweden’s Djurgardens and Belgian side Gent home and away, securing two points.

This year will see Rovers face six different teams in one-off games, with TNS of Wales and Borja Banja Luka of Bosnia at home and Northern Ireland’s Larne, Rapid Wien of Austria and British side Chelsea to come away 

And Pico - or ‘Roberto’ as he’s known to his parents - feels the new format will give a leg-up to the underrated sides with two wins virtually guaranteed to give passage to the knockouts.

Lopes said: “You can feel the energy. It’s different because there’s that sense of the unknown. You don’t know who you’re playing against. You can sense that energy and excitement.

“I like it. It’s a bit early to say at the moment. You could probably pick the bones out of it when it’s all said and done but at the moment I like it. It’s very interesting. 

“You will have some big scores but also tight games and winnable games for the so-called lower ranked teams. It’s a change. We’ll take stock at the end but so far I like it.

“To kick off at home, against good opposition, it’s a new format and something I’m looking forward to. At this time of year, you want to be playing the big games, you want to be competing on all fronts. 

“We’re still in a position to do that and still in a position to maybe make some ground in the Conference League phase. It’s all to play for in the league so where else would you rather be?”

Lopes stressed that Rovers’ home form - in spite of the 3-0 reverse to St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday - has been key to their European success in recent years.

Stephen Bradley’s side can count home wins over Hungary’s Ferencvaros, Ludogorets of Bulgaria and Slovakia’s Slovan Bratislava among their recent scalps.

This year they have had home success against Vikingur of Reykjavik and Slovenia’s Celje en route to the league stage of Europe’s third-tier competition.

And Lopes is keen to ensure that Tallaght is not an easy place for any team to come in Europe, regardless of their strength or status.

He continued: “I think we’ve seen in previous years how important our home form has been, in qualifying and when we’ve got to the group stages. 

“It’s a hard place for teams to come, so we need to make it a fortress here. And what an opportunity!”

Shelbourne boss Damien Duff made a compilation of the comedy Only Fools and Horses to put his players at ease as they seek to hone in on a first title in 18 years.

But Lopes conceded the preparations in the Rovers camp have veered away from comedy and more towards the serious side as APOEL await in the wings.

“No comedies anyway,” Pico laughed. 

“We all have our individual preparations for games. I’m sure lads are watching whatever when they go home on Netflix or whatever. 

“But when we’re on the pitch we’re here to work. We have tough opposition to play against and we’ll focus on them.

“It’s what you look forward to and where you strive to be as a footballer. It’s brilliant, it’s a real carrot for you - can you go and compete at the highest level possible? 

“What better way to do it then at home here in Tallaght Stadium in front of a packed out ground?”

Next week will see Lopes take a break from the Rovers camp to link up with his Cabo Verde teammates in qualifying for AFCON 2025.

Cabo Verde sit second in their qualifying group following a 3-0 defeat away to Egypt on the opening day and a 2-0 win at home to Mauritania.

They face pointless Botswana at home in Praia on October 10 and away in Francistown five days later, and Lopes is looking forward to the rush of games at club and international level.

He said: “It’s what comes with the territory of being an international. It’s a busy calendar year and the fact we’re playing in this competition is what you want. 

“You want to be playing every three days. You can’t complain when you have to. If you were to map it out you’d extend the league out and play week on week but it’s not the case. 

“We knew it would be Thursday-Sunday. That’s the format so we prepare right for the run-in.”

Stephen Bradley following FAI ban: 'I said what I said. I stand by it. I'll back these players' https://t.co/4aZWhMUiXkpic.twitter.com/P0PvmNIdEl

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