SHAMROCK ROVERS MANAGER Michael O’Neill expressed his disappointment following his side’s 1-0 first-leg loss against FC Copenhagen.
O’Neill told reporters that the tie was balanced 60-40 in favour of the Danish side following last night’s game.
He believes that Copenhagen will “fancy their chances of scoring again in Tallaght,” but said there were “a lot of encouraging things” about the performance.
The manager added:
“Obviously I was disappointed with the nature of the goal we conceded, even if the second ball into the box after the corner was excellent. What mattered after that, though, was how the team reacted, and I don’t think they could have reacted any better.”
It was an impressive performance for the majority of the contest by Rovers, who are looking to become the first-ever Irish club to progress to the group stages of the Champions League.
Despite enduring the worst possible start as they conceded after only four minutes, the team recovered valiantly following the early goal by Solvi Ottesen.
Both sides then had opportunities before half-time, with Bill Dennehy failing to convert after Gary Twigg’s flick-on, while Pape Pate Diouf had a header well-saved by Ryan Thompson.
In the second-half, Rovers grew in self-belief, as Ronan Finn hit a shot narrowly wide after Gary Twigg had set him up.
The visitors’ increased confidence was epitomised by the fact that the hosts barely threatened in the final ten minutes of the game, leaving the tie in the balance for the second leg in Tallaght on Tuesday.
And despite their minor heroics, it was back to reality for at least one Shamrock Rovers player today.
Rovers midfielder Stephen Rice tweeted: “What a night, debut in champs league… on way to work now tho.”
However, with more performances like the one last night, Rice may in fact have to consider giving up the day job.
