19.45 2 Jul 2015 -
Referee:
Europa League Preview: UCD -v- F91 Dudelange
- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Jul 02 2015
UCD
UCD's first involvement in European football for 15 years came about on the back of their worst on-field performance in some time, as they were relegated from the top tier via a play-off defeat to Galway United, making them one of two second-tier sides to qualify alongside Go-Ahead Eagles of the Netherlands.
If last season's squad could be accused of lacking fight and being a little too 'nice,' it was their exemplary disciplinary record that won them European qualification through the Fair Play system, though they were fortunate first and second-placed Dundalk and Cork City had already qualified.
While UCD were predicted to undergo a period of rebuilding following their relegation – and inititally they struggled for consistency – Collie O'Neill's young side have really impressed, posting three or more goals on four occasions in the league by the half-way point, and have emerged as genuine challengers for the First Division title.
Whether their good form against the likes of Cabinteely and Waterford United will prepare them for a meeting with a team full of experienced professionals and semi-pros is another matter, however, but the Students do have some experience in their ranks in the form of Chris Mulhall and Mick Leahy to complement teenagers Ryan Swan and Dylan Watts.
“They’re big, strong and physical,” O’Neill told gathered media at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening. “Their experience is something we might struggle with, but they have weaknesses too, we think, and our lads know what they should be doing.
“It’s clear they have some quality, although they’re not what you might imagine when you think of European football. My hunch is that it will be an ugly enough game of football.”
Keeping things respectable at the back will be imperative if the Students are to travel to Luxembourg with any hope of causing an upset, but O'Neill's side are always more comfortable with the ball at their feet and will look to take the game to their opponents whenever they have the chance.
F91 DUDELANGE
Luxembourg's most successful side finished a disappointing third – seven points behind champions Fola Esch – in their attempt to defend their Luxembourg National Division crown last season.
As well as conceding their league title, Dudelange also suffered the heartache of losing the Luxembourg Cup final on penalties to FC Differdange 03, who also pipped them to second place in the league.
As Luxembourg operates on a winter schedule, Dudelange are still in pre-season and their meeting with UCD their first competitive game of the season. Last week, they played a preparatory friendly against Shamrock Rovers' opponents Progres Niederkorn, only to fall to a 3-1 defeat.
While Progres and Rovers played out a goalless draw in the stifling heat of Oberkorn on Tuesday evening, Dudelange will present a tougher challenge for UCD, and their greater strength and conditioning should allow them to control the tempo of the game and secure at least an away goal to take back to Luxembourg.
Dudelange will definitely be without Yessine Benajiba for both after the Moroccan midfielder was bizarrely suspended by UEFA for celebrating a goal by revealing a t-shirt showing his support for Palestine in a Champions League qualifier against Ludogorets 12 months ago.
Referee: Peter Reinurt (Faroe Islands).
MATCH STATS
UCD and F91 Dudelange have never met, nor has either side ever faced opposition from the other country.
UCD's last participation in European competition came in the 2000-01 season, when they were harshly eliminated on away goals after holding Bulgarian side Velbazhd Kyustendil home and away, while in 1984 they were narrow 1-0 losers to eventual Cup Winners' Cup champions Everton.
Dudelange's last European tie also involved a Bulgarian side, as they were beaten 4-0 away at eventual group stage participants Ludogorets, before holding the moneyed side to a creditable 1-1 at home. Their last victory in Europe came at the expense of Red Bull Salzburg as they reached the third qualifying round of the Champions League in 2012.
BETTING
UCD 11/4; Draw 23/10; F91 Dudelange Evens.
PREDICTION
UCD 1 – 3 F91 Dudelange
UCD
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Greg Sloggett.
Suspended: None.
F91 Dudelange
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Stelvio Rosa da Cruz (pelvis), Daniel da Mota (arm)
Suspended: Yessine Benajiba.
Unavailable: Kevin Malget (work)