Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)
Europa League Preview: Levadia Tallinn -v- Cork City
- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Jun 29 2017
LEVADIA TALLINN
Levadia Tallinn will be in less-than-familiar surroundings on Thursday night as they host Cork City at Parnu Ranna Stadium in the first round of Europa League qualifying (kick-off 4.30pm Irish time).
Due to renovations on their 5,000-capacity home the Kadriorg Stadium, Levadia have been forced to move the tie 128km south to the coastal city of Parnu, effectively ceding home advantage.
Levadia had appealed to City to reverse the home and away ties but the Leesiders refused in order to preserve the perceived advantage of playing at home in the second leg.
The home side, like their visitors, are unbeaten in the Meistriliga with 13 wins from 17 games but, unlike City, remain four points behind leaders Flora Tallinn.
The Estonian league, like the League of Ireland, runs through the summer so neither side will have the advantage of being significantly more match-fit heading into the tie.
“On paper, Cork City is very strong,” said Levadia coach Igor Prins ahead of the game. “Their results in the League of Ireland speak for themselves.
“At the same time, in Parnu it all starts from scratch, and the teams' ability to get ahead is equal. Let's do a good job and try to take advantage of our opportunity.”
CORK CITY
Cork City travel to Estonia with more expectation than hope, despite being the unseeded team, as they're now rightly regarded as the best team in Ireland.
City have improved in each of Caulfield's four seasons in charge but they've kicked on considerably this season and look set to wrap up the title with weeks to spare.
Last season the Leesiders advanced through three rounds in Europe, beating Linfield and BK Hacken before being eliminated by eventual quarter-finalists KRC Genk.
Caulfield is taking nothing for granted, however, and believes the Estonian league leaders could easily compete at the top end of the Premier Division in Ireland.
“In my opinion, they look like a team that would be in the top four in our own league, and the intensity of the top games in the league here is similar to our own.” Caulfield said.
“They are quick up front, very direct and they get the ball into the box. They score lots of goals. They have 48 in 17 league matches and they are unbeaten this season.”
“From our own point of view, we are in a great run of form. We had a phenomenal first half of the season and have started the second half really well.
“We feel that, if we can play to form, then we can get a result. We believe that, based on last year’s experience, we want to try and score an away goal, because the away goal is massive in Europe.”
“The venue is very open and it is quite windy, so it is unlike the grounds we are used to in Ireland and we feel the conditions will have some bearing on things.
“At the same time, we are in good form and we are confident that we can put in a top performance; if we do that, we feel we will get a good result.”
Steven Beattie is available again after recovering from injury, which Alan Bennett will be assessed closer to kick-off, but captain John Dunleavy will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Referee: Jørgen Daugbjerg Burchardt
MATCH STATS
Levadia Tallinn have history against League of Ireland opposition in Europe, having stood in Drogheda United's way in Champions League qualifying in 2008-09.
The Estonian side found themselves better home and away, however, falling 3-1 on aggregate to a Drogs side who came within the width of the bar of beating Dynamo Kyiv in the next round.
They played Bohemians twice in European competition, losing 3-0 on aggregate to Stephen Kenny's side in the Champions League in 2001.
Their second meeting with the Gypsies was a happier one as they won out 3-1 on aggregate against a Bohs side managed by Gareth Farrelly in the UEFA Cup.
City have never faced Estonian opposition in Europe, however Shamrock Rovers secured a 1-0 aggregate win over Flora Tallinn en route to the Europa League group stages in 2011-12.
BETTING
Levadia Tallinn 9/4; Draw 11/5; Cork City 11/10.
PREDICTION
Levadia Tallinn 0 - 1 Cork City
Levadia Tallinn
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: None.
Cork City
Injured: John Dunleavy (knee).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
