Steaua Bucharest -v- St. Pat's Preview
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If St.Patrick’s Athletic were in dreamland following the most unexpected of victories over Krylya Sovetov in the second qualifying round of the Europa League; a victory over two legs against former European Cup winners Steaua Bucharest on Thursday would send shockwaves through European football and change the landscape for the Dublin club immeasurably (Kick Off 6:30 PM).
St.Pat’s travel to the Stadionul Ghencea to take on the renowned Romanian outfit as the very personification of “rank outsiders” though those odds are certainly narrowed somewhat by virtue of the fact that crowd disturbances in Steaua’s second round game against Hungarian side Újpest FC led to hefty fine and a two-match stadium ban.
And in a bizarre twist of fate a UEFA ruling means that Pat’s have been able to avail of 200 “VIP” tickets, 150 of which will go to supporters of the Inchicore club which is exactly 150 more than Militarii (The Army Men) will have to cheer them on.
A situation the Saint’s manager Jeff Kenna is unwilling to recognise as an overly noteworthy factor in how the 1st leg will unfold: “I don’t know if it’s a significant advantage, I suppose it can work both ways, where some players respond really positively to an intimidating atmosphere, for some it makes no difference and for others it could affect their game.”
The typically diplomatic former Republic of Ireland international did however acknowledge the fortuitous timing of the ban: “I think it’s arguably a slight advantage but I don’t think it’s massive. Hopefully for them it will work in our favour.”
Almost as bizarrely, as Pat’s fans will realise, is that Kenna will have a full squad to choose from for the game for the first time this season.
The big question now is, just who will start the game? Many will hope to see the returning Mark Quigley given the nod thanks to his significant European pedigree and recent impressive cameos.
Steaua, who finished 6th in their Liga1 last season to qualify for this competition, would be foolish to underestimate their Irish opposition given Kenna’s sides’ brilliant form on the continent this season, not to mention their phenomenal away results in particular.
Red-hot marksman Declan “Fabio” O’Brien will also be looking to add to the four goals he has scored from his four Europa League games this season and a positive result in Bucharest would see Pat’s on the verge of the group stages in the competition ahead of next Thursday’s return leg at the RDS and of course, untold riches for the club.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Steaua Bucharest 2 – 1 St.Pats
St.Pat’s travel to the Stadionul Ghencea to take on the renowned Romanian outfit as the very personification of “rank outsiders” though those odds are certainly narrowed somewhat by virtue of the fact that crowd disturbances in Steaua’s second round game against Hungarian side Újpest FC led to hefty fine and a two-match stadium ban.
And in a bizarre twist of fate a UEFA ruling means that Pat’s have been able to avail of 200 “VIP” tickets, 150 of which will go to supporters of the Inchicore club which is exactly 150 more than Militarii (The Army Men) will have to cheer them on.
A situation the Saint’s manager Jeff Kenna is unwilling to recognise as an overly noteworthy factor in how the 1st leg will unfold: “I don’t know if it’s a significant advantage, I suppose it can work both ways, where some players respond really positively to an intimidating atmosphere, for some it makes no difference and for others it could affect their game.”
The typically diplomatic former Republic of Ireland international did however acknowledge the fortuitous timing of the ban: “I think it’s arguably a slight advantage but I don’t think it’s massive. Hopefully for them it will work in our favour.”
Almost as bizarrely, as Pat’s fans will realise, is that Kenna will have a full squad to choose from for the game for the first time this season.
The big question now is, just who will start the game? Many will hope to see the returning Mark Quigley given the nod thanks to his significant European pedigree and recent impressive cameos.
Steaua, who finished 6th in their Liga1 last season to qualify for this competition, would be foolish to underestimate their Irish opposition given Kenna’s sides’ brilliant form on the continent this season, not to mention their phenomenal away results in particular.
Red-hot marksman Declan “Fabio” O’Brien will also be looking to add to the four goals he has scored from his four Europa League games this season and a positive result in Bucharest would see Pat’s on the verge of the group stages in the competition ahead of next Thursday’s return leg at the RDS and of course, untold riches for the club.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Steaua Bucharest 2 – 1 St.Pats
About Eoin Manning
Eoin Manning has been a part of the extratime.ie reporting team since 2009 and covers the Dublin clubs. Eoin also writes for many of the countries national newspapers and can be contacted at eoinpmanning@gmail.com View Full Profile