Europa League Preview: KRC Genk -v- Cork City
- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Jul 28 2016
KRC GENK
KRC Genk host Cork City at the Cristal Arena on Thirsday night (kick-off 7pm Irish time) with heavy expectation in their favour.
However the team who finished fourth in last season's Belgian Pro League struggled to see off Montenigran side FK Buducnost Podgorica in the last round, winning on penalties having taken a 2-0 lead into the second leg in Montenegro.
“The Cork statistics show they have a lot of clean sheets, suggesting that they have backbone,” said coach Peter Maes.
“Little brothers don't exist anymore. Let's hope we have learned that lesson in Montenegro.
“Cork are confident, they have survived two rounds. They will do everything to make it as difficult as possible.”
Ghanaian midfielder Bennard Kumordzi will miss out following his red card in Podgorica, defender Timothy Castagne is injured.
CORK CITY
Cork City have arrived in bonus territory in their Europa League qualifying campaign and can travel to KRC Genk knowing all the pressure is on the hosts.
The Belgian side are overwhelming favourites for the tie, but manager John Caulfield can call on the performance in outplaying higher-ranked BK Hacken in the previous round as motivation.
“They have a number of players with international experience,” Caulfield told the club's website.
“Physically they are a big, strong side. From our point of view, we have to perform as well as we did over the two games against Hacken and our concentration levels have to be high to give us any chance of bringing the game back to Cork.”
“If we give our best performance out there, that’s all you can ask for. While they seem to be a better team than Hacken, we have to look after ourselves and see if we can give the same level of performance as we did last week.
“We have a lot of pace out wide and I think we are dangerous on the counter.
“You would imagine, with them being at home first, they will probably feel they can win the match and will come at us, which I think will give us opportunities on the counter.
“We want to bring the tie back to Cork and have that crowd back at Turner’s Cross again.”
Caulfield's only major injury concern is midfielder Greg Bolger, who has been nursing an injury since the first game against Linfield in round one, but expects him to be fit.
Referee: xxx
MATCH STATS
KRC Genk have never met an Irish side in Europe before.
The Belgian side have reached the group stages of the Europa League twice, in 2012/13 and 2013/14, reaching the last 32 on the latter occasion.
They have also reached the group stages of the Champions League twice, in 2002/03 and 2011/12.
BETTING
KRC Genk 1/4; Draw 7/2; Cork City 9/1.
PREDICTION
KRC Genk 2 - 0 Cork City
KRC Genk
Injured:Timothy Castagne.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Bennard Kumordzi.
Cork City
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Greg Bolger.
Suspended: None.