DUNDALK WILL BE aiming for their 16th consecutive victory in all competitions when they welcome AEK Larnaca to a sold-out Oriel Park for the first leg of their Europa League second round qualifier this evening [7.45pm, live on Eir Sport].
However, manager Stephen Kenny has told his players that they’re not under pressure to build up a lead over the Cypriot Cup holders ahead of the second leg in seven days’ time.
Dundalk have recorded plenty of good European results away from home during Kenny’s tenure. In addition to their 1-0 defeat of Levadia Tallinn in Estonia a fortnight ago, the Lilywhites held Legia Warsaw and AZ Alkmaar to draws on the road in 2016. They were also 2-1 winners against Hajduk Split in Croatia two years earlier.
A positive outcome tonight will certainly be important to give the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division leaders a solid platform at the midway point of the tie, but Kenny knows they’ll face a tougher task than in the previous round against Levadia, who were beaten 3-1 on aggregate.
A club with a significant Spanish influence, the Larnaca squad that has travelled to Dundalk includes six players with experience of playing in La Liga, including defender Mikel Gonzalez, who made nearly 200 appearances for Real Sociedad in Spain’s top flight, and former Atletico Madrid midfielder Jorge Larena.
“We respect Larnaca,” Kenny said at the pre-match press conference. “They’ve had some great victories in Europe in the last couple of years. They’ve beaten Spartak Moscow and Dinamo Minsk, so we have to respect them in that regard.
“But the game is won over two legs. We don’t have to win anything [tonight]. It’s a two-legged affair. But the players are playing with confidence.”
He added: “I think Levadia are a very good team. They proved that last week. Larnaca, with their European pedigree, have players with a lot of appearances in La Liga, so their pedigree is obviously higher.”
Having not dropped a point since their defeat in Waterford 12 weeks ago, Dundalk currently have a one-point lead — plus a game in hand — over champions Cork City in the title race.
But for now they’re setting their sights on making progress in Europe. The winners of this tie will move on to a clash with Ajax or Sturm Graz in the third qualifying round.
Dundalk achieved unprecedented success for a League of Ireland club in 2016 by earning points in the group stages of the Europa League. After being knocked out of the Champions League qualifying rounds following an extra-time defeat to Rosenborg last year, they’re keen to embark on another European adventure this season.
“When European nights come to a provincial town like Dundalk, it lifts the town. It transcends football. It’s very important for the region,” said Kenny.
“When we’re successful in Europe, it really elevates people’s morale. It has a huge effect on the morale of everyone in the region. That’s why it’s very important. We’re very determined and we’re looking forward to the games.”
Club captain Stephen O’Donnell remains sidelined with a long-term leg injury, while defender Stephen Folan (knee) and attacker Sam Byrne (hamstring) are also set to miss out. Stephen Kenny has a full squad to choose from otherwise, and he’ll be looking to top scorer Patrick Hoban and in-form winger Michael Duffy to pose problems for the visitors.
AEK Larnaca, who were 2-0 aggregate winners over Cork City at the same stage of the Europa League last season, will be playing their first competitive game since winning the Cypriot Cup at the expense of Apollon Limassol on 16 May.
Playing under new manager Andoni Iraola for the first time, Larnaca are missing several key players for tonight’s game, including captain and veteran defender David Catala, and last season’s leading goalscorer Florian Taulemesse.
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