Credit: Laszlo Geczo (ETPhotos)
Europa League Preview: Mlada Boleslav -v- Shamrock Rovers
- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Jul 20 2017
MLADA BOLESLAV
Mlada Boleslav go into the home leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie in full control having won the opener 3-2 last week (kick-off 5pm Irish time).
A brace from Australian Golgol Mebrahtu and a third from Jan Chramosta have the Czech side firmly in control despite Graham Burke pulling two back for the Hoops.
In front of their home crowd, the Czechs will be expected to go out and put the tie to bed early against a side who will look to keep things tight and remain in the tie.
"We will do our best to progress,” manager Dusan Uhrin told the club's official website.
“The opponent has quality and is very dangerous, about how we have seen in the first game, the replay must proceed very responsibly and concentrically.”
Defender Pavel Cmovs said: “In the first game we faced a classic island long ball.
“When we had the ball down and played their game, we had goalscoring chances and we must play well at home.
“And we must not lose concentration for even a moment. At the end of the first game we conceded a second goal and it must not be repeated.”
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Graham Burke's goal deep into injury time keeps Shamrock Rovers' chances of advancing to a third round alive despite the concession of three away goals in Tallaght.
Rovers were left to rue the openness of their play as they were punished by three well-taken, but preventable, goals from their more experienced opponents.
“I thought we were excellent,” said manager Stephen Bradley after the game.
“We switched off for key moments in the game and got punished but I thought throughout the game we really played well against a good side.
“The most pleasing thing for me was that even when it went 3-1, we could have easily dropped our heads and felt sorry for ourselves but we didn’t.
“We kept going, pushed on and got the second goal which for us keeps this whole tie alive.
“We need to be clever and approach it in the same way, like every other game. We can’t go gung ho from the first minute and think we can win the game.
“If we score in the 70th or 80th minute, it’s game on. We don’t have to score in the first 10 minutes. We need to play the game for what it is and not be too careless.”
Bradley will be without the injured Paul Corry and Danny Devine while Darren Meenan hasn't travelled to Mlada Boleslav.
Referee:
MATCH STATS
Shamrock Rovers' defeat in the first leg was their first loss at home in 11 matches, dating back to a 2-1 defeat against league leaders Cork City on St Patrick's Day.
BETTING
Mlada Boleslav 1/4; Draw 4/1; Shamrock Rovers 15/2.
PREDICTION
Mlada Boleslav 2 – 2 Shamrock Rovers
Mlada Boleslav
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: None.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Paul Corry, Danny Devine.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Darren Meenan.
