STEPHEN KENNY SAYS that Dundalk’s players are “on their knees” with exhaustion heading into their Europa League game against Zenit.
Kenny made the comment after his side’s 3-0 win over Longford Town last night, a result which, coupled with Cork City’s 3-1 defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic, sees them take one step closer to another Premier Division title.
Three days after beating Longford, the Lilywhites welcome Zenit to Tallaght Stadium on Thursday and three days after that they can potentially win the league against Bohemians at Oriel Park.
And, while the Dundalk boss is delighted to be involved in a competition like the Europa League, he insists that the sheer volume of games is taking its toll.
“Zenit are a Champions League team disguised as a Europa League team,” Kenny told RTÉ. ”They have won this competition, they have just turned down €20m for Axel Witsel. They have a tremendous team.
“Hopefully we can be energised by the crowd. I think it will be a full house and we will need that because on Sunday we have an opportunity to win the league against Bohemians. It is great to be involved in these games but the players are on their knees. They are exhausted.”
Dundalk have picked up four points from their opening two games in the Europa League. The Louth outfit drew 1-1 away to AZ Alkmaar with just 10 men in their opening game before beating Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-0 in Tallaght.
